164. Spirit, Holy, In Inspiration (No. 3)

164. Spirit, Holy, In Inspiration (No. 3)

164 HOLY SPIRIT IN INSPIRATION (No. 3)

INTRODUCTION Every theory should be rejected as false which does not recognize the agency of the Holy Spirit in every word as well as in every thought of the Bible . The fallacy of false theories exposed helps to see the truth.

I. THREE ELEMENTS IN THE DIVINE ADMINISTRATION 1. The natural element.

(a) This lies most on surface.

(b) God acts through certain fixed laws.

(c) These are powers of nature.

(d) They are constant in moral and physical realms.

2. Providential element.

(a) Power exercised through natural laws is often increased or diminished according to purpose of God . (b) This always operates in and by material law. (c) Care of Joseph in Egypt an example.

3. The miraculous element.

(a) If natural forces sufficient, God never uses providential. (b) If natural and providential are sufficient, God never uses miraculous. (c) When natural and providential are not sufficient, God uses miraculous. (d) Sometimes miraculous is exercised independently of all laws and forces of nature.

4. Miraculous may be through the laws of nature, or above them.

II. TRUE THEORY OF INSPIRATION 1. All false theories removed, we may easily understand the true.

2. Mysteries with it not to be explained.

3. Only what is revealed.

4. Holy Spirit exercised a special providential and miraculous influence over both the words and thoughts of the writers of the Bible.

164 HOLY SPIRIT IN INSPIRATION (No. 3)

INTRODUCTION Every theory should be rejected as false which does not recognize the agency of the Holy Spirit in every word as well as in every thought of the Bible . The fallacy of false theories exposed helps to see the truth.

I. THREE ELEMENTS IN THE DIVINE ADMINISTRATION 1. The natural element.

(a) This lies most on surface.

(b) God acts through certain fixed laws.

(c) These are powers of nature.

(d) They are constant in moral and physical realms.

2. Providential element.

(a) Power exercised through natural laws is often increased or diminished according to purpose of God . (b) This always operates in and by material law. (c) Care of Joseph in Egypt an example.

3. The miraculous element.

(a) If natural forces sufficient, God never uses providential. (b) If natural and providential are sufficient, God never uses miraculous. (c) When natural and providential are not sufficient, God uses miraculous. (d) Sometimes miraculous is exercised independently of all laws and forces of nature.

4. Miraculous may be through the laws of nature, or above them.

II. TRUE THEORY OF INSPIRATION 1. All false theories removed, we may easily understand the true.

2. Mysteries with it not to be explained.

3. Only what is revealed.

4. Holy Spirit exercised a special providential and miraculous influence over both the words and thoughts of the writers of the Bible.

Ill. DIVINE ECONOMY 1. God never employs unnecessary means in his work.

2. He used all the learning tal ents of the several writers that composed the Bible, so far as these natural means could be made available .

3. An equal degree of inspiration was not always necessary.

4. Paul better educated than other writ ers.

5. Hence no real discrepancies, contr adi ctions nor errors were in the original manuscripts.

1. God never employs unnecessary means in his work.

2. He used all the learning talents of the several writers that composed the Bible, so far as these natural means could be made available .

3. An equal degree of inspirati on was not always necessary.

4. Paul better educated than other writ ers.

5. Hence no real discrepancies, contradictions nor errors were in the original manuscripts.