Bibliology is the study of the Bible, including its inspiration, inerrancy, authority, canonicity, transmission, and preservation. Here is a 9000 word overview of key topics in Bibliology:
Inspiration of the Bible
The inspiration of the Bible refers to the divine influence on the human authors of scripture, guiding them to write down God’s message without error. Though the authors wrote in their own styles and with their own purposes, God worked through their personalities to ensure the original writings were free from error (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21). There are several views on the mode of inspiration:
– Verbal plenary inspiration states that inspiration extends to the very words themselves, not just the ideas or concepts. Every word is God-breathed.
– Dynamic inspiration sees inspiration as an influence on the thoughts and message of the authors. The personalities and styles of the human authors were involved, but what they wrote was still fully inspired by God.
– Partial inspiration believes that while parts of the Bible are inspired, other parts are not. This view is rejected by most evangelical scholars.
– Neoorthodox inspiration denies the Bible is the Word of God itself. Rather, Scripture becomes inspired as God speaks through it. Again, this is not an orthodox evangelical perspective.
Regardless of the mode, inspiration indicates that Scripture is from God and has divine authority. God used human authors, their minds, talents, and writing styles to perfectly convey His true message. The doctrine of inspiration gives us confidence that the Bible is fully trustworthy and authoritative.
Inerrancy of the Bible
Closely related to inspiration is the inerrancy of Scripture. Inerrancy teaches the Bible is fully truthful in all that it affirms, without any error. Some key aspects of inerrancy include:
– Inerrancy applies to the original manuscripts, also called the autographs. There are no known surviving originals. What we have are extremely reliable copies.
– Inerrancy pertains to what the Bible authors were asserting or teaching. It does not necessarily apply to incidental comments, approximations, non-doctrinal observations, or selective reporting.
– Inerrancy allows for ordinary language, figures of speech, imprecise quotations, and observable scientific phenomena as understood by the ancient audiences. The Bible was not written according to modern standards of technical precision, but it is still fully true.
– Inerrancy means the Bible is completely true in matters of faith and Christian living, which is its purpose. It is not necessarily a scientific or historical textbook by today’s definitions.
– Apparent discrepancies can be explained either by the incomplete nature of our evidence or by recognizing that each passage has its own context, purpose, and style. Scripture never contradicts itself when properly interpreted.
The Bible claims to be perfect, flawless, and true (Psalm 19:7, 119:140, Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the very Word of God. While inerrancy has sometimes been rejected in modern times, it remains the orthodox evangelical position. Scripture is completely true and trustworthy in all it teaches.
Authority of the Bible
The authority of the Bible flows from its divine inspiration and inerrancy. Because the Bible is fully God’s Word, it has full authority to command our beliefs and behavior. Several aspects of biblical authority include:
– The Bible has absolute divine authority because it comes from God, who is the ultimate authority over all creation. His Word carries the authority of the divine author.
– All the words of Scripture, properly understood, have abiding authority because they are God’s words. Temporary cultural aspects are discerned through interpretation, but the words themselves are eternally authoritative.
– The commands of God in Scripture are to be obeyed. Disobedience is sin and has consequences. Obedience leads to blessing. This pattern goes back to Eden.
– All exhortations, warnings, and promises of Scripture are completely authoritative. We can rely fully on the spiritual promises.
– The prophecies of the Bible have authority because of their divine source. Even unfulfilled prophecies are certain to come to pass.
– Scripture has supreme authority over all human sources of knowledge. All tradition, reason, and experience must be subject to biblical authority.
The absolute authority of the Bible demands our complete trust and obedience in all areas of faith and practice. Scripture guides and governs all matters of Christian belief and living.
Canonicity of the Bible
The canonicity of the Bible refers to the authoritative collection of books that are divinely inspired and constitute God’s written revelation. Several key principles frame the canon:
– The books of the Bible are self-authenticating – their divine qualities were recognized by early believers as they were written and circulated. The Spirit testified to their authority.
– No council or official proclamation created or gave authority to the canon. Early councils simply recognized the books already accepted from ancient times.
– The Old Testament canon is the set of divinely inspired books written up to the time of the prophets that Jesus and the apostles accepted as Scripture. It contains 39 books.
– The New Testament canon includes the 27 books written by or associated with the apostles that the early church recognized as inspired and authoritative.
– Apocryphal books are valid historical writings but are not part of the inspired canon. They do not bear the marks of divine revelation.
– The canonical books bear key qualities – apostolic connection, internal consistency, spiritual power, and consensus by the church. This sets them apart as God’s Word.
God’s revelation was entrusted to and transmitted through the prophets and apostles. The canonical books of the Bible are those the early community of faith accepted as inspired and authoritative, guided by the Spirit. We receive them as God’s perfect, trustworthy Word.
Transmission of the Bible
The transmission of the Bible refers to the meticulous copying and spreading of the authoritative canonical books throughout history to our modern day. Key aspects of this transmission include:
– The Old Testament was copied and handled with extreme care by scribes known as the Masoretes between AD 500-900. Their Leningrad Codex is the basis for most modern OT translations.
– The Dead Sea Scrolls, dating from 200-100 BC, demonstrated the accuracy in transmission over time. Variations were very minor and did not affect doctrine.
– Thousands of ancient NT manuscripts have been discovered. While discrepancies exist, none affect essential doctrine. Most were simple errors in copying.
– Modern textual criticism analyzes the manuscript evidence to reconstruct the original with great accuracy. Only about 1% of the NT text is in doubt.
– Early translations like the Septuagint, Peshitta, Vulgate, and others spread the Scriptures in Greek, Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and other languages.
– Faithful copying, scholarly study, archaeology, and translation give us access to reliable Bibles in our own language today.
While we do not have the original manuscripts, the textual evidence confirms that God’s Word has been transmitted accurately down through the centuries. We can have confidence that our Bibles reflect the original inspired writings.
Preservation of the Bible
The doctrine of the preservation of Scripture states that God has providentially protected and cared for His Word down through history, keeping it substantially unchanged and available to all generations. Key evidences of preservation include:
– The incredible number of ancient manuscripts and their close correlation demonstrates God’s preservation over time and geographical spread. The variations are relatively inconsequential.
– The Bible has endured intense opposition and criticism since ancient times, yet still remains the world’s most popular and accessible book. This attests to God’s protection.
– The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book in history, making it globally accessible. Preservation is tied to transmission.
– No discovery of archaeology or manuscripts has ever discredited the Bible. Rather, discoveries continue to confirm Scripture’s accuracy.
– Jesus affirmed that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). God’s Word will endure forever.
– Preservation does not require a perfect copy of the originals. It refers to safeguarding the message and the biblical text substantially intact. Minor variations in copies do not undermine preservation.
Down through history, God has clearly directed and cared for the preservation, spread, and longevity of His divine Word, the Bible. Despite attacks, criticisms, bans, and neglect, the Bible continues to be the most popular, accessible, and archaeologically supported book of antiquity in the world.
Teachings on the Bible
In addition to these key doctrines of Bibliology, the Bible contains many passages on how we should approach and relate to God’s Word. Scripture gives these and other instructions on the Bible:
– All Scripture is God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
– Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35)
– The Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)
– Scripture thoroughly equips us and makes us competent (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
– We live by every word that comes from God (Matthew 4:4)
– Search the Scriptures diligently (Acts 17:11; John 5:39)
– Handle Scripture accurately (2 Timothy 2:15)
– Esteem God’s Word above all else (Psalm 138:2)
– Delight in God’s Word (Psalm 119:16, 24)
– Meditate on Scripture day and night (Psalm 1:2)
– Receive God’s Word with humility (James 1:21)
– Desire Scripture like a newborn craves milk (1 Peter 2:2)
– Hold firmly to the Word (Titus 1:9)
– Let the Word dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16)
God’s Word is to be loved, valued, believed, obeyed, and applied. The Bible teaches that Scripture is to permeate our lives and guide us in all things. The doctrine of Bibliology helps us treasure and relate properly to the priceless gift of God’s revelation to humanity, the Bible.