I said that these lines point to the doctrine of inspiration (and they do), but they deal more precisely with the matter of illumination. Not so much as to where the scriptures come from, but how they are understood. Now, I understand all of this to come under the broader understanding of Inspiration.

We begin with the understanding that the Holy Scriptures are uniquely inspired. We may speak of other work as inspired, but Scripture is uniquely inspired. We accept it to be authoritative Word of God. Now, we see Godly authority not as coercive or controlling, but as definitive. For example, we have all probably heard the expression: “God loves me the way I am—but loves me enough not to leave me that way.” This is why it is so important to always study the scriptures. We cannot dare neglect this in our lives.... Always our understanding of scripture grows and improves as our familiarity with the scriptures increases. You might ask if you wouldn't be better off to go on your own, yet the scriptures show us repeatedly that God sends us people to aid us in our understanding. Samuel needed Eli; Cornelius needed Peter; even the Apostle Paul who received his message from the Risen Lord, still met to confer with the other apostles in Jerusalem. Generally speaking, the Holy Spirit is at work to confirm the same message of grace in all of God's people. What is significant is NOT where Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, and Presbyterians DISAGREE, rather the significance is in where they agree! When it comes to what is essential to salvation these churches fall in the tradition of agreement. Where we disagree are on other matters. So we are able to consider these other churches as orthodox even though we may disagree on matters that are important to us. Important doesn't neccessarily mean essential. 

Again, we speak of the Bible as being the inspired Word of God. That means different things to different people. Generally, we might say that the inspiration of scripture can be viewed from at least three different points in the development of scripture to this present day. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. First, there is the inspiration of the author(s). Second, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church to recognize and safeguard the translation and transmission of scripture, and, third, the illumination of the individual reader or hearer.

The Holy Scriptures are God-breathed documents. The scriptures witness to the Word of the Lord coming upon the prophets. They proclaimed the Word of God, because the Word rested on them. Samuel was credited with not allowing the Word of God to fall to the ground. Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai. John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ in a vision much like Isaiah and Ezekiel. We believe this is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit inspired the writers and redactors of old. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10, AKJV).

The Church (Community of the Faithful) also acts with the leadership of the Holy Spirit. There is the work done by people in editing the text. The person referred to as the Deuteronomist (perhaps Jeremiah or Baruch?) compiled the grand sweep of history from Deuteronomy to the Books of Kings. There is the work of the Chronicler’s compilation of history, often covering the same material as the Deuteronomist (but, from a different perspective.) There is the work of Ezra, and the work of the council of Jewish leaders at Jamnia (ca. AD 90) who formed the canon of Hebrew scriptures as we use it in our Protestant Bibles. Luke tells us that he, too, relied on various sources for his “orderly account.” There is the work of individuals and groups entrusted with the task of translating the scriptures into a language we can understand. We trust that the Holy Spirit is at work in all of these processes safeguarding the transmission of scripture through the ages.

Have you ever seen a fax of a fax of a fax? or a copy of a copy of a copy? It is true that a number of errors, omissions, and additions were made to texts by copyists and scribes over the centuries. But they are remarkably small in number and the sheer number of manuscripts help us track these types of errors.

Finally, we too, must ask for illumination from God’s Spirit in reading and understanding the biblical text. Without the work of the Holy Spirit we are in danger of misunderstanding God’s Word. God’s Word is dynamic, not static. Jesus is the living Word of God made flesh. The Bible is not a museum exhibit—it is a living document whose breath is the breath of God. It breaths afresh every moment. In our worship services we pray for inspiration as we prepare to read and hear God’s Word. May His Holy Spirit breathe within us. The Holy Spirit must be at work in our lives to hear the Word of God. Why is this important?

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4, WEB

“...the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David...” Acts 1:16, WEB

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NRSV

But, while God’s Word is dynamic, it is also consistent. The general guideline to follow could be, 'When it comes to doctrine, new isn't better.' New doctrines are not to be trusted. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to pass on what has been passed to us. He says that even if an angel tells you a message contrary to the Gospel as he preached it, let the angel be accursed (Galatians).

Now all of this is good and useful information – as background material goes – but we need to take away something a little more practical from this Sunday’s texts. So we need to also consider these texts in the context of doing the work of ministry God has entrusted to us.