1. Vocabulary of Inspiration
a. Inerrant - without any errors or mistakes (biblical basis for this)
b. Inspired (II Timothy 3:16) - "Theopneustos" means God breathed, the very breath of God.
c. Verbal - "Verbos" means "word" (Latin). The words themselves are inspired, not just the thoughts.
d. Plenary - "Plenus" means "to fill" (Latin). The entire Bible is inspired in every part equally.
2. The Confession of Faith (A. A. Hodge) - the Books of Scripture were written by men with all their peculiarities and specialties (this is not his quote). The men used their own mind, vocabulary, and faculties, but the Holy Spirit oversaw the whole thing.
3. The Bible claims to be a revelation from God.
4. II Timothy 3:16 and II Peter 1:21 => "All" Scripture means every writing and not just every thought. Every writing had the quality of being God-breathed, and the Bible is the product. The process was that Holy men were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit carried them along.
5. Matthew 5:18, John 10:35 => Scripture will not pass away. The Law of God shall be fulfilled. Scripture cannot be broken.
6. I Thessalonians 2:13, I Corinthians 14:37-38 => received word as the Word of God. They were not the words of men. A spiritual person will recognize the Word of God and the commandments of the Lord.
7. I Timothy 5:18, II Peter 3:15-16 => Paul quoted Deuteronomy and Luke 10:7 (Thus saith the Word). Peter refers to the words of Paul as difficult to understand but still Scripture.
8. Origination of Scripture (Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Apocalypse)
a. Matthew written to Jews. Mark wrote the third Gospel, John the fourth. Luke wrote second Gospel to the Greeks. Third to Romans (Note that Mark might have been either first or second but probably not third. Dr. Borland's book puts Mark at about 67AD and Luke at 58-60AD, but not everyone would agree with this.).
b. Epistles were also written. The Gospels end with the Ascension. Epistles start with Christianity in place. The bridge between these is the Book of Acts, which is a transition Book.
c. Apocalypse is the confirmation of all things and shows how all things end up
9. All of this is general introduction to the New Testament. General deals with things that pertain to the entire New Testament.
a. Matthew shows King of Jews, Mark shows servant of Jehovah, Luke shows Son of man, and John shows deity.
b. James may have been the first epistle. He does not mention church organization, deacons, or anything like that. Possibly 44AD with Galatians being 49AD.
c. Most Books came from Asia Minor. Textual criticism seeks to find the closest texts to the original. One would expect Asia Minor to have more copies. Also, Matthew has virgin birth because he is showing Kingship. Mark does not show it because no one cares about the parentage of a servant. John presents Christ as God with no beginning.
Tom of Bethany "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 11 - The Formation of the New Testament Canon
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