#793 Verbal Inspiration
July 24, 2022Regarding the Defenders class teaching on the doctrine of revelation, as biblical inerrancy seems to be described as and limited to that which the bible teaches, are you then saying that scripture as verbal is limited in the same way? It seems that you are not, which I find slightly confusing, even though likely correct.
I am thankful for the Defenders course and am finding it extremely helpful.
If my question is not found to be too obvious, I would appreciate your consideration.
Thanks much!
Jan
Canada
Dr. craig’s response
A
I’m so gratified that you are listening to our Defenders class, Jan! If you stay with it, it will give you the equivalent of a seminary education in systematic theology.
You are correct that I limit biblical inerrancy to what the Bible teaches. This is what II Timothy 3.16 tells us and what most evangelicals believe. (Where they differ will be on what the Bible teaches. That needs to be determined inductively).
I also accept the verbal inspiration of Scripture, that the very words of Scripture, not just the thoughts or propositional content, are God’s Word to us. But not all of the words of Scripture are for the purpose of teaching. There are other purposes as well. Moreover, I argue that a commitment to verbal inspiration does not imply a dictation theory of inspiration. Rather given the middle knowledge perspective that I defend, God can sovereignly ensure that the authors of Scripture freely wrote what God wanted to communicate to us. That is consistent with saying that He would not have minded if they had chosen different words on occasion, just so long as what they did write communicates accurately to us His message.
- William Lane Craig