Verbal Inspiration vs. Plenary Inspiration

As has been the case since man was first created and began to walk the earth, some today still seek to circumvent the clear-cut commandments of almighty God in order to introduce their own will and desires into their worship, which always proves both useless and fatal for those who do so (Deut. 7:6-11; Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 2:6-3:2). Nonetheless – and despite the dire warnings and extensive examples included throughout the Scriptures – many people today are still seeking to “make God in their image” as it were. One such area that immediately comes to mind for me today, is with the expedited expansion of women’s roles far beyond their biblical boundaries (1 Cor. 14:33-37; 1 Tim. 2:8-15), “… making the word of God of no effect through [their] tradition… and many such things [they] do” (Mk. 7:13).

But, how does one get around the incredibly obvious fact that in 1 Corinthians 14:33-37, Paul says so clearly, concisely, and compellingly, that “the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord?” Simple: by claiming that only some of the ideas and concepts behind the Scriptures are divinely inspired, and not the very individual words, commandments, or even some of the accounts of the miraculous elements contained therein.

In today’s article we will seek to understand two terms which should help us to better understand the fact that not only are the thoughts and concepts behind the words of Scripture divinely-inspired, but far more importantly and specifically, so are the very words themselves. Our two terms for today’s discussion are, “plenary inspiration,” and “verbal inspiration.”

“Plenary” is defined as, “full in all respects,” “complete, entire.” In other words, the term “plenary inspiration” indicates that the Bible is the full and complete, entire and final, “all we need to stand complete before God,” divinely-inspired revelation of God for all mankind and for all time (Psa. 119:89; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 2 Ptr. 1:2-4; Jude 3). This term also points to, and confirms the fact, that the Scriptures are fully and completely, divinely inspired, from beginning to end. Note Psalm 119:160 (NKJV): “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”  The English Standard Version states: “The sum of Your word is truth….” Notice: not “some of,” but “the sum of.”

The term “verbal inspiration” takes these biblical truths, about these biblical truths, to a whole new, yet far more fantastic and specific level. “Verbal Inspiration” is the term we use to define the fact that every single word, letter, and grammatical construction contained in the Scriptures, are specifically, perfectly and precisely, exactly what God divinely desired and directed them to be – without exception, exemption, or expiration (Psa. 119:89). Now, yes it is true that God used different men, from different backgrounds, with different perspectives and experiences, to write down His holy word. Perhaps one of the reasons for this was so that the vast variety of readers that would come along down through the centuries might feel a closer connection to, or identification with, the particular perspectives presented. But the fact that different writers wrote, utilizing and reflecting their own specific styles, perspectives and experiences, does not for a second nullify or negate the fact that God still specifically and divinely inspired every single word they wrote. This is referred to as “Verbal Inspiration.” This is both accurately and appropriately explained by Peter himself when he wrote, “…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (II Ptr. 1:20-21; ESV; emph. mine – DED). The word herein translated “carried” [along] is actually translated as “driven,” in Acts 27:17, where the ship is “driven” along by the storm, sort of like a little leaf in a high wind, and both with absolutely no control over their actions, directions, or destinations. In similar fashion, said writers took no liberties or exercised any control whatsoever over the words they wrote. They dared not – either prior to, or even after the divinely-inspired dictation was delivered! Look at what the apostle Paul himself wrote at the Holy Spirit’s direction: “We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2 ESV).

Please just simply consider the following biblical references regarding the fact that every single word of the Bible is the direct and divine dictation of almighty God – that it is indeed the “Verbally-Inspired” and infallible word of God in its every intimate respect and infinitely refined facet. (This was, after all, affirmed by Jesus Himself when He said that Scripture cannot be broken – see Jn. 10:35).

  • In II Timothy 3:16-17, Paul stated that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” The Greek term translated “scripture” is from the Greek verb “grapho,” which means “to write.” Hence, each and every single one of the words that were written, were given by inspiration of God – “right down to the letter,” so to speak.
  • This is also confirmed further by the fact that Jeremiah 1:9 states: “Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” And additionally, in infallible fact and fashion, the phrase “the word of the Lord” occurs some 51 times in just the book of Jeremiah itself; the Scriptures are further exalted as the Word of God about 175 times in one single Psalm (119); and even far more impressively yet, in the Old Testament alone the claim is made that the Scriptures are the very word (or words) of the Lord, in excess of some 3,800 times! (See Exodus 17:14; 2 Sam. 23:2; and Jer. Chapters 26 and 36 for just a few examples thereof).
  • In the N.T, Jesus confirmed that “every word” of the Scripture (not just the thought or concept behind such) was from the mouth of God in Matthew 4:4 (which see). Further, our Lord’s argument against the false teachings of the Sadducees, at one point actually turned upon just the tense – not just the ‘pretense’ – of an Old Testament verb (See Matt. 22:23-33). He likewise then further confounded and silenced the Pharisees while basing His argument on one, single, solitary, Old Testament word, “Lord,” in Matthew 22:41-46. Similarly, in John 10:33-36, Jesus’ water-tight and inarguable argument was based and built upon just one Old Testament word – “gods.”
  • Jesus taught that the very words He spoke were spirit and life (Jn. 6:63); that those words are exactly what we will be judged by on the last day (Jn. 12:47-50); that His words are what He gave to His apostles (Jn. 17:6-19); and that those words are the very words of truth that they must then pass along to us who would believe on Him through their word – i.e., His word which they were to then pass along to us as He directed – (vss. 20-26), which they did (Jn. 20:30-31).
  • In the “Sermon on the mount,” Jesus made it clear that not one “jot” or “tittle” would pass away until all was fulfilled. A “jot” was the smallest letter of their Hebrew alphabet, and a “tittle” was the tiniest stroke sometimes added to a certain letter (not word, but letter!). According to Charles Pfeiffer (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson, 1999, p. 962; editors Howard Vos, John Rea), the use of these two terms in this context can be explained “…only by recognizing that Christ regarded the individual words of Scripture as inspired and authoritative, for the change of a letter might well change the whole word and its meaning.”
  • The divinely-inspired apostle Paul, while writing to the congregation of the church of Christ that met in first century Corinth would confirm clearly, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but [in the words – DED] which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:12-13 KJV). He would additionally affirm to the congregation of the Lord’s church that met in first-century Thessalonica, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13 KJV). And in chapter 4, verse 15, he writes, “This we say unto you by the word of the Lord…” There is just no way on this planet or in this universe that He could have any more resoundingly or clearly confirmed the very word for word, direct and divine, verbal inspiration of the entire word of almighty God (all emphasis mine – DED).

Now while every word of the Bible is in there because God wanted it to be, just as it is, not every word in there is the word of God in the following sense: We know that Jesus’ antagonists would often claim that He was either demon possessed or a demon Himself. While their statements were not inspired of God and therefore not true, the fact that they said them was true; hence, because they did truly say what they did, their false statements are recorded – just exactly as God wanted, yea, demanded and directed them to be – in the sacred text.

In closing, let us ever understand the true and specific, verbal and singular, exact and spectacular inspiration of every single word of the sacred text and treat them as such… “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:11-13; NKJV)

Let us be diligent to remember always, that it if anyone is ashamed of Him and His words here, He will be ashamed of them when He comes again and comes before the Father (Lk. 9:26); that one cannot separate Christ from His words – that is to say, one cannot legitimately claim one while rejecting the other (Jn. 12:48); that the “litmus test” of our love for Christ, is in whether or not we keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15, 23-24); and that those directly and divinely inspired commandments were delivered to us word for word by His handpicked messengers in the New Testament (as seen in I Cor. 14:37 and etc). Tamper with the word… or any one of them contained therein? Not on your life!

~Douglas E. Dingley; evangelist for the Cleveland, Oklahoma church of Christ (see us at www.clevelandcoc.com)

Note: A very special ‘thank-you’ goes out to brother Wayne Jackson of the Christian Courier for his incredibly in-depth information on this most important of topics, much of which is reflected in this article. See more at www.christiancourier.com.  

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Needing a Purpose in Life

One season of television watching has recently ended, with viewers beginning another round of television programs and anticipating the return of new and favorites in later months. Counting all of the programs on cable, it is actually astounding that we have evolved into a reality-television society for over a decade. Let me say something on record since I brought this up—we watch far too much television these days (we have become a very hedonistic society of people, driven to seek that which offers us pleasure, much of which we obtain through an electrical box or screen in our homes, but I am in danger of getting off my subject), much of which consists of reality-television themes. While there are just a few that I admit I enjoy (Amazing Race, for one, although I do not like many side-themes or sub-plots), the vast majority of them have recently caused me to ponder with revolt. Why would people actually want to waste their day watching a dance teacher yell at their children? Why would people actually want to waste their time watching a man talk to animals? Why would a Christian want to watch scantily-clad couples dance at all? Mark my words—so much of what we (and our children, especially, need to understand this important lesson) view on television is fake and exploitive! Because so many people drive themselves to catch their moment of fame, they will exploit the audience (as well as television producers) and often sensationalize themselves, as we often see increasingly happen in these types of programming. I personally realized this lesson first-hand many years ago. My wife, Melissa, and I were interviewed by a television producer in hopes of going on a television show on HGTV. We knew as soon as the phone conversation ended that we had no chance, because we were sure that we came across as the most boring couple in the entire world (we may still be, but I digress). Naturally, they did not select us for their program. However, if we had “acted” in a spunky way, possibly coming up with sensationalized attributes about us (if not flat-out falsifying), the outcome would have been different. In my humble opinion, I believe this underscores a serious flaw we currently face as a society—far too many people (and Christians, too) lack any serious purpose in life. As children of God, we must come to realize that our sole existence depends on the glorification of God (Eph. 3:20-21). To accomplish this, we must become dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

First, to attain our purpose in life, we must deny self. There is no place for selfishness, self-centeredness and pride in Christianity; yet, our television programs reek of it. I must examine myself and ensure that I am living for God and not for myself (cf. Luke 14:26; Phil. 3:8; 1 Pet. 4:1-2). I must deny myself as Jesus denied himself (2 Cor. 8:9). I must put others before myself (Rom. 15:1; 1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4), and not become a stumbling block to them (Rom. 14:21).

Second, to attain our purpose in life, we must take up our mutual crosses. “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38). This is exactly what Jesus told the rich young ruler to do, along with the other conditions He stated (Mark 10:21). Thus, “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (Rom. 8:36). This is why Paul was able to declare, “I am crucified with Christ….” (Gal. 2:20). The idea of taking up our cross and putting ourselves to death is to put whatever we have that will get in the way of serving God to death (Rom. 6:6; 8:13; Gal. 5:24; Matt. 5:29; 18:8; Col. 3:5).

Third, to attain our purpose in life, we must replace self with daily discipleship. Just as the Old Testament priests were to offer sacrifices every day, we in the New Testament are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices every day (Rom. 12:1). The problem with being living sacrifices is that many on Monday get up from off the altar and leave. It is not enough for humanity just to know Jesus, but all must conform to His pattern and follow Him! Christ is our example to follow (Matt. 11:29; John 13:15; Phil. 2:5; Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 2:21). Therefore, we must follow Christ in both teaching and example!

Therefore, when we are convicted with a passion to live for Jesus Christ every day, we will not seek to sensationalize ourselves in a reality-television way, neither will we enjoy others doing so, but we will truly understand what it means to glorify God in all that we do!

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Judges 17

Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.“

We often hear that things are different today, that times have changed. But an honest look at the world we live in, compared to the men of old, reveals that man’s nature has not changed at all.  Sure, there are always segments of the population that are honestly seeking to serve the Lord and walk faithfully according to His will. However, it seems likely that we are living in an age not unlike the days leading up to the “Great Deluge” or the time prior to the destruction of the “Cities of the Plains.”

I believe that what was true of Israel in Judges 17:6 is also true of us today. True in our homes, our nations and sadly even in the church. It is not that we do not have a King, for we do (1 Timothy 6:15). But this King and his proclamations we have ignored. We have become guilty of relying on the unreliable wisdom of man. “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Our homes are filled with promiscuity, a lack of discipline and structure. Christ is not the nucleus around which the family is structured. There is a lack of love, compassion and respect for God and thus for each other.

Our society has deteriorated to the point where what God calls good is spoken evil of and what God condemns is now socially acceptable. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

And as the home and society has left off Christ; the church has become infected with sin. Man’s way and not God’s Way has become more and more the pattern we behold. Compromise, selfishness and a lack of humility have led many congregations down the dark valley of apostasy. A lack of love and respect for God and His Word, a people void of zeal for the old paths has left men with false hope.

Friends, God’s proclamation is true! In Ezekiel 22:30 God said He, “sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Will He say the same for our generation?

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Help Your Child to Know God

Our culture has lost its way with respect to parenting and lacks a sense of direction like a rudderless ship without a compass. In this age, many people have children, but do not want to be parents because our culture convinces us to quench our personal thirst for fulfillment. This seems to be why so many parents talk about getting in “quality time” with their children when in the days of yesteryear; it was about quantity of time. The fact is parents are spending the minimal time with their children. How did this happen?

It is no mystery that Dad is rarely seen as the boss of the home and that Mom doesn’t have to be obedient to Dad because our society has changed the way we think about authority and rights. It seems that everyone is screaming out for their rights and sadly, children sit in this climate and are no longer able to sit still, no longer fearing consequences of talking back and no longer accept a submissive role in life. Let’s face it, the old ways of parenting no longer work as they did and we lament the passing away of this way or raising children. Alas, as a result, parents are frustrated and confused. Children don’t act like they should and parents don’t know why. Many today even think it is impossible to do the work of a parent.

Parents, church and friends, we are losing our children in and out of the church and these problems grow up with these children who will in turn pass it to the next generation. But, I believe you can raise children in Godly ways in the 21st century while at the same time, not caving in and saying its impossible to parent a child even though experience tells you it is inevitable. Friends, experience is not a safe guide. The only safe guide is the Bible. It is the revelation of God and absolute truth that is both robust, complete and accurate and it gives us a picture not only of parents, children, family values, but of training, nurturing and disciplining, which is equipping us for the task of parenting. It is true that God’s ways are not inadequate to today.

God calls his creatures to live under authority. He is our authority and we must never be embarrassed to be authorities for our children. Parents often forget that we exercise authority as God’s agents and direct our children on God’s behalf for their good. Thus, we cannot be “do it or eat it” parents nor can we be a “wimp”. God calls parents to be kind and to exercise authority, not in making them do what you want, but in being servants to them. It seems I already know the answer, but how many parents would lay down their lives for their children? So, why hold them under our power when we need to be empowering them to be self controlled people living freely under the authority of God? Jesus is a prime example of this in Jn. 13 who knew that the Father had put all things under his authority. Yet, he used a towel as he washed his disciples feet, serving them.

As parents, even though we exercise authority, we must require obedience of our children because they are called by God to obey and honor you. Therefore, we exercise authority because we love them and if authority best describes the parents’ relationship to the children, the best description of the activity of the parent to the child is shepherding. The parent is the child’s guide helping him to understand himself and the world in which he lives. He shepherds the child to understand not just the “what” of the child’s actions, but also the “why.” As the shepherd, you want to help your child understand himself as a creature made by and for God. You must shepherd his thoughts, helping him to learn discernment and wisdom. Thus as Prov. 13:20 tells us, “He who walks with the wise becomes wise.”

As parents we cannot forget that God’s word is the power of God to salvation for our children. And therefore, we need to direct the attitudes of their heart. For, successful parenting CANNOT simply be well–‐behaved children. Your children must also understand why they sin and how to recognize internal changes teaching them that out of the heart can comes destruction. And, it is the Gospel that enables us and our children to face the worst in ourselves (sin) and yet, still Dind hope because of the grace of God. But, when we fail to hold out God’s standard, you rob your child of the mercy of the Gospel. Ultimately, our children must internalize the message of the Gospel and so while the child holds the claims of the Gospel at arm’s length, will our shepherding roles as parents help him to embrace God or cast Him away?

Parents have a marvelous opportunity to help his child pursue with honesty all his questions of faith. Let us not forget that the Word of God is robust and that the Christian faith can withstand close, honest scrutiny. Thus, as we walk and talk with our sons and daughters and even grandchildren, that we are not just talking, we are instructing them. We ought to be sharing the goodness of knowing God.

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Thank God for Common People!

The events in the week prior to the Lord’s death are so remarkable. Riding on a borrowed donkey, He had entered the city with a great multitude spreading garments and palm branches before Him. Their voices proclaimed that He was the son of David and that He had come in the name of the Lord. Some of the Pharisees shouted, “Teacher rebuke your disciples” (Luke 19:39), all to no avail.

The next day, Jesus entered the temple grounds and drove out the thieves who preyed on the common people who sincerely were coming to worship. Immediately, the political and religious leaders joined rank to thwart the impact of this triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Every question they asked—tribute to Caesar, marriage in the resurrection, religious authority—was easily answered. These frustrated leaders were silenced and laid plans to kill Him.

Two expressions describe the response of the multitude. “All the people were very attentive to hear Him” (Luke 17:48), and “The common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37). What a contrast! The elite, the renown, the upper echelons of society and those generally seen as being above most around them all turned their backs on Him. Yet, the common people readily accepted Him!

No one ever believed in the ordinary man like Jesus did. He took a shepherd boy and made him the greatest king who ever ruled Israel. He took a tax collector and fishermen and made them foundation stones in the kingdom of heaven. He took a man clothed in camel’s hair and made him the forerunner who announced the coming kingdom.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “God must have loved the common people—He made so many of them.” The truth is that it has always been the common people who have most loved God. Paul observed, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called” (1 Cor. 1:26). Add to this the words of James, “Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those that love Him” (James 2:5)?

So what does this have to do with us? Probably far more than we imagine. The church is made up of common folks, yet it has a profound impact on the survival of our nation and impacts the eternal destiny of our society. So the next time you see the rich and famous, feel sorry for them! They have chosen not to be the chosen! On the other hand, one choice you made, as a common person, has made you the prized possession of heaven. Keep listening to Him!

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