The Infallibility and Authority of Scripture (ACBC exam question #2)

 2.       What is the relationship between infallibility and authority?

The connection between God’s Word, the Bible being infallible, and authoritative is very positive.  Unlike human authority which is fallible, God’s authority is infallible.  This gives us confidence, and ought to ignite in us a complete willingness to submit to His authority outlined in His Word, the Bible, knowing He and His Word are infallible.  

Infallible means 100% true, and reliable.  As humans we are all sinners (Romans 3:23).  God However is holy, and perfect; “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it?  Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Deuteronomy 23:19)  He alone is infallible, and therefore, His Word is also.  “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)  

Authority is defined as, “the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.”¹  Who is an authority in your life?  The local police?  The government?  A boss at work? Yes, yes, and yes.  Are they absolutely perfect? No. Who are they responsible to?  “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” (Romans 13:1-5) It brings peace knowing that there is an all-knowing God whose authority is fully just, and that nothing escapes Him.

Jesus defended the authority of Scripture against Satan as he tempted Him by replying; “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”  (Matthew 4:4) In this passage we clearly see Jesus affirming that the Bible is from God, and authoritative for life.  If Christ used the Bible in dealing with temptation (and in teaching often referred to the Old Testament-see Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 22:31; Mark 12:10, 26; Luke 6:3), and credited it’s authority, surely we as believers ought to do the same.      

¹ www.dictionary.com

Association of Certified Biblical Counselors Exam Question #1

It's been a while since I've posted anything here on my blog.  I've been working on some other writing these days.  I am working towards certification as a biblical counselor.  So, I was thinking that posting some of the test questions and answers would be a neat way to share what I've been learning and writing about lately, and "hit two birds with one stone".  Here's the first question in the theology section of the exam.  I have not yet sent my responses in for grading (as I still have a lot more questions to answer, only about a quarter of the way through the written exam).  I've really been enjoying the task of working through my personal theology on paper (or I should say keyboard and screen).  Prior to taking on this certification process I knew in my mind where I stood on things, but to take the time and have to articulate it in written word solidifies things like nothing else can.  For some years now I've wanted to invest in this process and do this exam.  Now, God has chosen to provide the time.  I am thankful.  I hope these questions will wet your appetite for personal study,  and a desire to firm up your own theological views.  I welcome your comments and thoughts.  As I mentioned I haven't sent them in for assessment yet, so please help me out with any errors you see.  :)

1.  The Bible is spoken of as “inspired.” What does this mean?

The secular dictionary definition of the word “inspired” is an adjective meaning “aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence”¹.  While this definition might explain the inspiration to make a yule log for dessert at Christmas time in spirit of the holidays; this definition is not very substantial, and certainly not sufficient to describe God’s Word, the Bible.  Ryrie defines Biblical inspiration as; “God superintended the human authors of the Bible so that they composed and recorded without error His message to mankind in the words of their original writings.”² I wholeheartedly agree with this definition.          

We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) that; “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”.   A literal translation of the word “inspired” in Greek is theopneustos; meaning God-breathed.   

             The Bible is God’s Word to us, He is the Author; however He used the Holy Spirit to prompt men to put the words on the page.  He was communicating His truth to us, His creation.  2 Peter 1:21 says “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”  God directed the men, they were active in the process, but it was His Word that they were writing.

The Bible is unique in literature, like nothing else in history.  It claims to be the Word of God (Isaiah 1:2, Jeremiah 10:1-2), and explains within its’ pages how God accomplished that.  All 66 books, though penned by different authors, at different times in history, using different forms of literature (law, history, wisdom, poetry, gospel, epistles, prophecy, and apocalyptic) they are all to be considered part of the one volume, the one God-given, God-authored book as a manual for living on planet Earth, the Bible.

                 It is important as Christians that we firmly believe in the doctrine of inspiration, and we set apart in our lives the Bible as God’s truth.  In counseling it needs to be established at the outset of a counseling situation that the counselee will submit to God’s truth and that the counselor will use the Bible to to lead the individual to Biblical hope, help, and practical application to aid the counselee in overcoming sin issues, and living out their faith victoriously in Christ. 

¹ www.dictionary.com    ² “Basic Theology” Charles Ryrie, page 71

Here's a link for more information on the Association Certified of Biblical Counselors:
http://www.biblicalcounseling.com/certification/exams