Theories of Inspiration

15-1189 Deborah Mowesley

Daystar University

BIL 212T: Introduction to Bible Doctrines

Submitted to: Mrs. Phoebe Muthami

Department of Theology and Pastoral Studies

School of Arts and Humanities

Presented on: 22nd June, 2020

 THEORIES OF INSPIRATION

i. Dictation theory (mechanical)

This theory suggests that the writers recorded exactly what was said to them by God and they did

not participate in any way with their individual writing style or personality. The Bible is said to

have been dictated by God entirely and even argues that the grammar is perfect as it is the Holy

Spirit’s grammar. This is untrue as God only gave the writers inspiration but did not dictate to

them. This explains why the Bible is written in different style and vocabulary by different

writers.

ii. Natural inspiration (Intuition theory)

This theory suggests that the Bible was written by men who were considered geniuses of their

time. This would mean that there was nothing supernatural about the Bible and the writers were

just people who wrote a book as anybody would. This theory is rejected because God’s

inspiration on the authors was a superior insight compared to natural human insights.

iii. The Dynamic Theory (partial inspiration)

This theory suggests that God enabled the transmission of the truth to the authors and

commissioned them to deliver it. It is a combination of divine and human elements. This made

them incapable of doing any wrong in matters of faith and practice. This was untrue because the

writers were still just human and susceptible to errors which could relate to science or history.

iv. The Verbal Theory

This theory holds that the Holy Spirit provided plenary and verbal inspiration to the Bible’s

authors. The ideas for words for the scripture were inspired by God meaning everything was
 directed including the choice of words. The Holy Spirit directed the writers of scripture in such a

way that the original manuscripts were both verbally and fully inspired, infallible and without

error. This is in harmony with the declaration of 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by

inspiration of God.”

“Knowing this first; that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the

prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were

moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

v. The Illumination Theory

This theory suggests that it is not the writings which were inspired rather it was the writers who

were inspired. Inspiration is merely superior insight on behalf of natural man into moral and

religious truth. God inspired individuals who wrote scripture. If this were true, this type of

inspiration could be claimed by Plato, Socrates and many others. Even today anybody who is

similarly inspired could potentially write scripture.

References

1. Linton, G. (2019, August 8). Theories of inspiration of scripture. Retrieved from

https://www.ministrymaker.com/theories-of-inspiration-of-scripture