Chapter 6: Inspiration in Christianity

Christianity believes in inspiration, but it views it from a different perspective from that of other religions. Some believe that inspiration has to be adverb, that is, God dictates whatever he like to his apostle letter by letter. This leads to several problems, among which are the following:

This means that God invalidates the human abilities and individual differences of which he is the given and cause. If the writer is a poet, be would not be able to make use of this gift as long as God would inspire him by the letter. If he is a historian or a law - man, his capabilities would be totally mollified the moment he is inspired.

This depicts God as one who excludes everything and everybody but Himself, and if the apostle's will urges him to write, God forsakes him until he gives up his will, even if it is good. When the apostle is confronted by people's questions and inquiries, he cannot answer them as he is inspired by the letter.

This limits the spreading of the mission. For as long as the inspiration is by the letter, it is in a particular language, and thus it is impossible to translate it. , to other languages as though God has limited Himself to the speakers of this language, and the others should satisfy themselves on crumbs.

Literal inspiration ignores human weakness which inevitably manifests itself in the process of transcription. For the transcriber can make mistakes while copying, and in this case the error is delegated to the inspiration itself. On the other hand, we refer the infallibility to inspiration, leaving room for human frailty when the transcriber makes a mistake, but going back to the original references whenever needed.

Thus, the Christian view of inspiration can be summarized as follows:

God makes use of different human abilities, leaving the writer to use his own characteristic style, but keeping him from error through the infallibility of the Holy Spirit.

God respects human will, human mind, and the relationship between the apostle and his congregation, allowing him to answer his children and to write to them, but preserving him from making mistakes.

The Bible can be translated, and has already been translated to 1300 languages that include all races on earth; for God is everybody's God.

If a mistake is made during the process of transcription (and this is possible regarding human weakness and typographical errors) , do not worry as we have our accurate references which are:

Old versions from the fourth century A. D. which are preserved in museums.

Laws issued by Holy Councils since the first century A. D.

Writings of the Fathers which include interpretations for most of the scriptures.