Lourdes Loren C.

Cruz 1BLM

Gerald O’ Collins – Chapter 9

The chapter basically had 4 parts: (1) Formation of bible, (2) Use of Bible, (3) Inspiration
of Bible, and (4) Function of Inspiration. It states that the bible cannot be simply identified with
revelation and that reflection on the content of the bible yields another angle. The scriptures
differ from revelation, in the way that written texts differ from something that actually happens
between persons. Experience shows how an biblical text can lead people to know the truth about
God and the human condition. We might describe the essence of biblical inspiration as a special
impulse from the Holy Spirit to set certain things down in writing, however, no prophecy of
scripture is a matter of one's own inspiration, because no prophecy every came by the impulse of
man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God and therefore later generations of
Christians bear the responsibility of Proclaiming the contents of the bible, keeping the Church in
existence and living by the bible.

It is understood that the writers or authors of the bible have a special impulse from the
Holy Spirit to set certain things down in writing, however and that no prophecy of scripture is a
matter of one's own inspiration, because no prophecy every came by the impulse of man.

However, in some cases, biblical authors like Luke acknowledge the struggle involved in
composing their works, claimed to have done their best with the sources available to them, but
showed no clear awareness that they were writing under a special guidance, which I find very
contrary to what the author previously claims. However, I was enlightened that the Holy spirit
could be at work in many ways without the beneficiaries necessarily being conscious of such
influence.

I learned that as an inspired text, the bible illuminates constantly the divine and human
mystery. It is indispensable for Christian existence, both collectively and individually.
Nevertheless, revelation of God proves a larger and wider reality than the Bible and is not
limited to the bible. God’s living word is not subordinated to a written text, even an inspired one.

We should also not compare the authorship of Bible too closely with the work of modern
authors. Modern authors often reflect their personal background, and remain very much persons
in their own right, whereas, biblical authors often wrote anonymously and drew on general
traditions and experience of believers, and produced works to serve the community.