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Questioning authority
The crux of the matter is simply this: Is the Bible authoritative? To this stage, all of the articles in this column ultimately lead to this question. This is ground zero for the Christian and skeptic alike—those like Michael. You remember Michael. He has been with us from the start of this column and the argument that began over a year ago. Michael does not believe the Bible is authoritative. Nonetheless, biblical authority is an essential question that very much sets at the heart of the debate over God’s alleged death.
By “author itat ive” Christians mean that Scripture alone (sola scripture) is authoritative precisely because it is God’s Word “breathed out” (2 Tim 3:16). We have recently argued that Jesus was raised from the dead by God the Father so that by the resurrection from the dead has divine authority confirming backward, that the Old Testament bears authority from God, and forward to the New Testament God through the apostles and associates who were eyewitnesses. Commenting on the Bible’s authority, Sinclair Ferguson once wrote, “The Father does not lie to his Son.
The Son does not lie to the Spirit. The Spirit did not lie to the apostles . . . and the apostles did not lie to us.” For that reason, it is said that “The God of truth has breathed out his Word of truth, and the results in nothing less than a flawless authority for the church.” Even so, there is more to it than that. Michael fails to grant authority because he fails to first grant inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency to God’s Word. This is a critical juncture because if Michael can be assured of the inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency of God’s word, then it goes a long way to helping solve Michael’s dilemma.
Here, it is a good idea to reflect upon from whence we come because authority logically flows from what has been cumulatively established to this point. If God created the universe and everything in it; if He created mankind with particular endowments—created in His image; in order that with Him we might have a deep and personal relationship undergirded by His revelation of Himself both in nature, and in Scripture, then wouldn’t we expect His revelation to be personally inspired, inerrant in its claims, and all-sufficient? After all, these are critical subcategories of authority. In other words, there is a Creator who raised Jesus from the dead. And it is not just the unbelieving Michaels of the world, Christians, and not just a few, sometimes have doubts about Scripture as well; specifically, about inspiration, inerrancy, sufficiency, and authority. Or, another way we could say that is that biblical authority is dependent upon inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency.
As a refresher, this is how Michael answered when asked if he believes the Bible is God’s inspired Word: I don’t think it was. I think inspiration comes in many forms like artists who write songs because of inspiration. I think the Bible could be written in the same way just like any book, song, or other art. But I think it is in some ways art because it is a creation of man but it is also handpicked in certain ways because it has gone through different interpretations.
As we have said, Michael has an issue with inspiration. In truth, however, Michael has an issue with authority, of which inspiration is a very important component.
Although at least six theories describe the mechanics of inspiration, verbal plenary inspiration is the most commonly accepted mechanism by which the Holy Spirit interacts with the human authors of Scripture. From the Latin verbum, which means word, and plenus, which means full; verbal plenary inspiration argues that there is dual authorship of Scripture. The authors were given the freedom to write as they intended, but were also superintended by the Holy Spirit “so that what the human author said, God said, down to the exact words and phrases.” This is not to be considered mechanical dictation; the author’s particular style was allowed to manifest, but the words were God’s. In this way, the author’s words are without error because they are God’s words.
Jesus had told His disciples; “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority [there is that word “authority”], but whatever he hears he will speak and will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). Again, Jesus told the disciples; “But the Helper, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
“Bring to your remembrance” is exactly what inspiration is. This is direct, divine inspiration, not the kind of inspiration Michael was talking about. Remember, Michael had said that he thought the Bible authors were inspired “like a person who writes a song.” This is something altogether different; this is the dual authorship of God and man. And this is the point of all of this: surely, surely, if God can create the universe and raise Jesus from the dead, then He can “breathe out” His word through inspired men.
Join us again next week as we consider the sufficiency of the Bible. Until then, in the quiet and private sanctuary of your own mind, ask yourself the most important question in this life: “Is God dead?”
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Ty B. Kerley, DMin., is an ordained minister who teaches Christian apologetics and relief preaches in Southern Oklahoma. Dr. Kerley and his wife, Vicki, are members of the Waurika church of Christ, and live in Ardmore, OK. You can contact him at dr.kerley@ isGoddead.com.
