'The theory of inspiration must be founded upon the grounds on which the
Scriptures themselves found it. "All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17.)
'Under this declaration, no more can be claimed for the doctrine of
inspiration than that there shall have been such an influence exerted
upon the formation of the record, that it shall be the truth respecting
God, and no falsity; that it shall so expound the duty of man under
God's moral government, as to secure, in all who will, a true holiness;
that it shall contain no errors which can affect the essential truths
taught, or which shall cloud the reason or sully the moral sense.
'But it is not right or prudent to infer from the Biblical statement of
inspiration, that it makes provision for the very words and sentences;
that it shall raise the inspired penmen above the possibility of
literary inaccuracy, or minor or immaterial mistakes. It is enough if
the Bible be a sure and sufficient guide to spiritual morality and
rational piety. To erect for it a claim to absolute literary
infallibility, or to infallibility in things not directly pertaining to
faith, is to weaken its real authority, and to turn it aside from its
avowed purpose.
Pages:
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386