The Inspired Book by Asa Oscar Tait

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · May 1, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 18.

The Inspired Book

By Asa Oscar Tait

By Asa Oscar Tait

THE sacred Scriptures constitute the one Book that is inspired by the same Being who created all the worlds that inhabit the infinity of space.

The worlds about us tell unmistakably of an infinite and all-wise Creator. These vast starry planets could not exist and move in such precise order, crossing and recrossing each other's tracks on such accurate schedules that never a collision can occur, without the guiding hand of the Infinite. There have been men of great intellects who have claimed to doubt the Bible, but there have been very few who have claimed to disbelieve that there is an infinite God who created, upheld, and guided the worlds.

Now just as truly as the worlds about us tell us of the Creator, just so surely does the Bible contain the evidence within itself that its Author is none other than Him whose throne directs the universe. "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

The Scripture is "inspired" of God. The word here translated "inspired" is derived from two Greek words which signify God-breathed. And one of these two words is the root from which spirit is obtained. Then the word of God has the breathing of His own Spirit, with all of its great significance, right in the very words themselves.

Is it any surprise, then, when we find that word saying of itself, "The word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Heb. 4:12, 13.

A Living Word.

This text says that God's word is "living." It has actual life in it. And why should it not have, since it is the very life-breathing of Him who is the fountain of all life? The text also says that the word of God is "active." And certainly any one can see that it must act since it is clothed with life.

Then it must be clear that any one who actually knows from his own experience that the Bible is inspired has felt the force of the life and activity in that word. It is possible for men to have many theories in regard to the inspiration of the Bible, but only the one who has actually felt the activity and power of the life that is in the word of God has a real definite knowledge of the origin of the divine Book.

It is the desire to get the reader to go much deeper than to make assent in only a general way that the Bible is inspired. Perhaps your father and mother are Christians, and they have taught you that the Bible is the Book of God. You have believed this because they told you so, and have not experienced the sensation of actual spiritual power imparted to you thru that word. You have not touched the Life-spring, and felt the active force of the words of the Infinite.

You may say that you do not see how that mere words can have life and power in them. Actual power is an invisible, unseen force. For instance, no one has ever seen electricity; but for one in this time to say that there is no such thing would be very absurd. Because we have not seen the powerful current as it glides along or thru the wire with the speed of lightning, it does not prove that there is no such thing as electricity. Because we have not seen it, the fact can not be swept away that its currents are pulling street-cars and railway trains, and lighting our homes, our shops, and our streets.

But the individual who has had no experience with electricity can not realize its powers and possibilities as the one can who is making the subject a life study and a life work. Men who do not know the subject will advance theories about it, and may even make light of some of the things that the electrician may actually be doing. But this does not change the course of the one who has had actual experience. The skilful and educated workman with the electric fluid has a foundation of actual knowledge and experience that causes him to go right forward with confidence.

And so it is with him who has experienced the workings of the living, active, God-breathed words of the divine Book. His actual experiences have led him beyond mere theories about the inspiration of the Bible, and he is resting on a solid foundation of definite knowledge. He knows the inspiration that comes alone from the one Source of life and power. The currents of active life that are in the word have taken hold of his mind and directed his steps and sustained him in ways of righteousness.

Having had these experiences with the word of God, the person speaks and acts with the confidence that is based on definite knowledge. The God-breathed, the inspired word has taken a definite place in his mind. The fog of doubt and mysticism has been left behind. He is standing in the clear light of personal contact and personal acquaintance with God. Like his Master of old, he speaks as "one having authority, and not as the scribes."