CHAPTER ONE

BIBLIOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

This chapter will examine the inspiration of the Scripture in general term
bibliology is the study of the Bible's nature and its origins. Concerning how God prepared
the Scripture for His people and why it’s important. Focusing on God’s divine revelation
and how it was inspired. In addition, its testimony from both Testaments and cause for the
canonization to its final agreement of the Bible. Also, asserting the illumination and
hermeneutics principles for interpretation.

Preparation of The Bible

The preparation of the Bible was not a mechanical given but God prepared the
writers in their disposition, training, and experience. God purposefully made His people
to intervene (Jer. 1:5). Paul's reference to being chosen (Gal. 1:15). 1 This Preparation was
physical, intellectual, and spiritual with the right endowments to write the books.2

The Bible

The word Bible is derived from the Greek word biblion which means book or roll
originally the name comes from byblos which denotes the papyrus plant that grew in
Marshes primarily along the Nile. Eventually, the plural form biblia was used by Latin-
speaking Christians to denote all the books of the Old Testament and New Testament.3

1
Rolland D. McCune, Systematic Theology Volume 1 (Grand Rapids: Detroit Baptist Theological
Seminary Press, 2004), 30.

2
B. B. Warfield, The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible (Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute,
1969), 155.

3
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989; reprint, Telangana:
GS Book, 2017), 155.
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The Scripture

The word Scripture comes from the Greek word graphe means “writing” in the
Old Testament. This writing was recognized as carrying great authority (2 King 14:6; 2
Chro. 23:18; Ezra 3:2). In the New Testament, the Greek verb grapho is used about 90
times in the Bible while the noun form graphe is used 51 times. The New Testament
designates “the Scripture” of all parts of the collective Scripture (Matt. 21:42; Luke
24:27,32).

The Word of God

The Bible bears itself the uniqueness which states that “God said,” or “Thus Said
the Lord” (Exod. 14:1; Lev. 4:1,). Both Testament bear the testimony of the Scriptures
such as by Moses, Joshua, David and John, and Paul by Jesus which affirmed the
authority and verbal inspiration of the Holy Scripture (Matt. 22:43; 2 Tim. 3:16).4

The Devine Revelation

The word “Revelation” comes from the Greek word apokalapsis which means
“disclosure.” Revelation signifies God unveiling Himself to mankind. God revealed
Himself in many ways (Heb. 1:1). Some direct words (Exod. 33:11), some directly
written by God (Exod. 31:18), some through dreams (Dan. 7:1) and vision (Ezek. 1:1).5

General Revelation

General revelation is evident in the natural world. The stars, moon, and sun
declare His glory (Psalm 19:1). God has implanted a moral compass within every person
a conscience and the inner sense of right and wrong (Romans 1:11-20; 2:15). But it
doesn’t provide details about redemptive history.6

4
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 156.

5
R.C. Sproul, Everyone’s A Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Maple Press:
Reformation Trust Publishing, 2014), 25.

6
Ibid.
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Special Revelation

Special Revelation means God’s manifestation of Himself to particular persons at

definite times and places, enabling those persons to enter into a redemptive relationship
with Him (Exod. 31:18).7 Special Revelation is restricted to Jesus Christ. It declares the
redemptive works of God’s plan.8 This revelation comes from the outside of man “God
spoke all these” (Exod. 20:1; Deut. 29:1).9

Inspiration of The Bible

The Bible witnesses its divine origin in several ways. Peter writes by asserting
two negatives about the production of the prophecy “No prophecy of scripture emerged
from his owned understanding and by no prophecy was motivated by men’s will.” Later
affirming that the Holy Spirit originated them to speak (2 Pet. 1:20-21). 10 Further, Paul
writes “all Scriptures is breath out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16). Here the usage of graphe in
Greek word means “writing” which references the Old Testament.11

Necessity of Inspiration

Inspiration is necessary to preserve the revelation of God because the Holy Spirit
superintended the writers. The result was God’s Word written, authoritative, trustworthy
and free from error in the original autographs. For this reason, inspiration guarantees the
accuracy of the revelation.12

7
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,1983), 179.

8
Sproul, Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology. 25.

9
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 161.

10
Reymond Robert, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (Nashville: Thomas
Nelson, 1998), 57.

11
McCune, Systematic Theology Volume 1, 35.

12
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 161.
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Preservation

Manasseh and Amon had destroyed all the personal copies of the Law (2 King
22:8). But though it's lost the Bible teaches the ultimate indestructibility of God’s verbal
revelation (Matt. 24:35; John 10:35). First, the table of the Law (Exod. 32,35. Deut. 10).
Second, the Scroll of Jeremiah (Jer. 36). King was to have a personal copy of the Law
(Deut. 17:18). The original tablets were kept in the Ark (Deut. 31:24-26). The
“parchments” were copies of Scripture (2 Tim. 4:13).13

Theories of Inspiration

Natural Inspiration

It is stated that the Bible was written by people who had a high order of genius or
creativity like fiction writers, poets, and others with creative ability.

Mystical Inspiration

They say, the Bible writers were inspired in the same way, as Holy Spirit-filled
people today are inspired to prepare a message or to preach a sermon.

Conceptual Inspiration

This teaches that God inspired the writers then humans inserted their words.

Variable Inspiration

They say that the Bible is more or less inspired, some parts are not inspired at all.

Dictation Inspiration

They state that every word of the Scripture was dictated by God and that the Bible
writers recorded these words as a stenographer would do.
13
McCune, Systematic Theology Volume 1, 37.
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Neo-Orthodox Opinion

They say that God did not quote directly; it reflects the writer's understanding of
divine truth.14

The Proof of The Bible Inspiration

The apostolic writings were boldly described in the same authoritative terms that
denote the Old Testament as the Word of God. They were called “Scripture or Prophecy.”
Formal evidence is the unity of the Bible of 66 books written over a period of 1500 early
by 40 different authors by using several languages and containing hundreds of topics. It is
more accidental or incidental that it’s centralized the Jesus Christ.15
External Evidence: An archaeologist known for his role in the authentication of
the Dead Sea Scroll from Coquimbo, Chile William F. Albert said “There can be no doubt
that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition.” 16

The Bible's Testimony to Its Inspiration

The Inspiration of the Old Testament

Certain writers of each section of the Old Testament bore witness to their divine
inspiration. The Law (Exod. 20:1), the Prophets (Jos. 24:26-27, Isa. 1:1-2), and the
writings (Ps. 45:1, Eccl. 1:16). Jesus testimony to Old Testament (Luk. 24:44-46; Joh.
5:39), His utterances Genesis in Mark 10:6-8, Exodus in Luke 18:20, and Number in
John 3:14.

The Inspiration of the New Testament

The Divine inspiration of the New Testament books rests upon the authority of
Christ which He delegated to His Apostles (John 3:34-35; Rom. 12:3). Jesus Himself
14
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 163.

15
Norman L. Geisler and William E Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible (Chicago: Moody
Publication, 1986), 133.

16
Ibid., 135.
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testified to His prophetic ministry (John 3:11; 7:15-17). Apostle John testified (John
21:24, 1 John 5:6-13). Apostle Paul bore the witness (1 Thess. 4:2, 1 Cor. 2:13).17

Plenary And Verbal Inspiration of The Scripture

The doctrine of Plenary Inspiration holds that the original documents of the Bible
were written under the control and guidance of the Spirit of God which resulted in
perfection and errorless. The sacred authors everywhere affirmed that “every Scripture is
inspired by God.” Verbal Inspiration extended from the Plenary into the words. It asserts
that every word in the Bible is inspired by God without error each word that is written in
the Bible is exactly and specifically God chose not only in the person's thought but also
the wording (Matt. 5:18; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; Rev. 22:18-19).18

Inerrancy of the Bible

Views on Inerrancy

Absolute Inerrancy

This view holds that the Bible which includes all the matters scientific and
historical etc., is fully true whatever appears can and must be explained.

Full Inerrancy

The Bible is completely true while the Bible does not aim to give Scientific and
historical data. Such scientific and historical mentions are fully true.

Limited Inerrancy

They take only the passages that deal with faith and practice as free from error.

17
Floyd H. Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith
(Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2001), 27.

18
Ibid., 28.
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Inerrancy of Purpose

The Bible inerrantly accomplishes its purpose. The Biblical revelation is to bring
people into the personal fellowship with Christ, to fulfil that end Bible communicates the
truth. Truth is not a quality of proposition but a way to achieve the goal.19

Means of the Inerrancy

The Inerrancy of Scripture means the Scripture in the original manuscripts does
not affirm anything that contradicts the fact.20 Inerrancy pertains to what is affirmed or
asserted rather than what is merely reported. The Scripture records the words of an
ungodly person. They are not to be taken as truth, even the Bible does not demand it so. 21
Sometimes does not adhere to the grammatical rule. Yet the scripture is said to be true
(Ps.12:6, John 17:17). Inerrancy is arguing for the original autographs only (1
Cor.14:37).22

Infallibility

The word infallibility means something is incapable of making a mistake. From a

linguistic standpoint, the term infallible is higher than the term inerrant. 23 which means
that the scripture possesses an indefectible authority. It can never fail in its judgments and
statements. It is absolute authority (Matt. 5:18; John 10:35).

The Canonicity of The Bible

19
Rene Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 72.

20
Wayne A. Gruden, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan Publishing House.1999), 67.

21
Erickson, Christian Theology, 240.

22
MJ Santosh, Class Notes of the Student in TS 521 Adv. Theology II (Faith Baptist Bible College
and Seminary of Kerala, May 2023).

23
Sproul, Everyone’s A Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, 40.
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The word “Canon” comes from the Greek kanon which means in the first place “a
reed or rod” a measuring rod: a rule or standard. Second, it means an authoritative
decision of a church council. Thirdly, applied to the Bible, it means these books which
have been measured found satisfactory and approved as inspired by God.24

The Extend of the Canon

In the second century, a gnostic heretic Maricon issued his canon under the
influence of Gnosticism, who lived around 110 A.D. Son of the wealthy bishop of Sinope
in Pontus. He believed that the God of the Old Testament was evil-created. and Jesus
came to destroy this deity. He considered the Old Testament inspired but from an evil
source. His canon accepted only the gospel of Luke and all of Paul’s writings. Marcion's
heretical views prompted the church to establish an authoritative list of biblical books. 25

The Old Testament Canon

As these 39 books were written, they were immediately recognized as being

inspired by God and were deposited at the side of the Ark of the Covenant. First in the
Tabernacle and later in the Temple, along with the accumulative store of Holy writings
(Deut. 17:18, 1 Sam. 10:25, 2 King 22:8). The priests of Israel cared for these sacred
writings and made new copies when they were needed.
When the temple was destroyed in 587 B.C in Jerusalem the holy writings were
carried to Babylon (Dan. 9:2). Later, restored in the second Temple (Ezra 7:6). Being
with the writings of Moses in 1491 B.C the Old Testament canon was completed in about
399 B.C with Nehemiah and Malachi being the last to write. Further, there was no
prophet voice until the time of John the Baptist 24 A.D (Luke 3:1-2).26

24
Henry Clarence Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1979), 59.

25
Sproul, Everyone’s A Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, 46.

26
Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith, 32.
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The New Testament Canon

Firstly, The New Testament Canon was formed because of the incomplete
influence canon of the heretic Marcion. Secondly, because of the appearance of a member
of noncanonical writings that were held by many to be canonical. Thirdly, the edict of
Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered the Scripture to be designed. This led to preserving
the books and the early Christians were motivated to judge what literature was today
inspired by God.
The New Testament Canon closed with the writings of the apostle John at the end
of the first century. However, until the 6th century, it was not received by the church
universally. In the West, the canonicity of Hebrews was debated because of the uncertain
author. In the East, there was opposition to the book of Revelation because its authorship
was questioned and its millennialism was challenged. In the West, the Synods of Hippo
(393) and of Carthage (397) recognized the canonicity of the 27 books of the New
Testament. The matter was settled in the East letter.27

The Apocryphal

The word Apocrypha means "things that are hidden" but why it was hidden is not
clear. Some have suggested that because it contained mysterious knowledge. The official
editions of the King James contained the books of the Apocrypha until 1796. Most Bibles
printed before 1840 still had the Apocrypha or at least most of the Apocrypha. The
Council of Hippo 393 and the Council of Carthage 397 approved most of the Apocrypha.
However, formal canonicity was not declared until the post-Reformation Council of Trent
1546.28
The Greek and Latin Church fathers Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria
and Cyprian 2nd and 3rd century quoted the Apocrypha. But a few of them like Origin and
Jerome, rejected them as uncanonical and the protestant Reformers Martin Luther and

27
Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith, 33.

28
Joseph B. Lumpkin. The Apocrypha: Including Books from the Ethiopic Bible (n. p: Fifth Estate,
incorporated, 2009), 7.
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John Calvin rejected them. Also, Ancient Jewish writers Philo and Josephus rejected
never quoted as Scripture. The Protestant has 66 books, the Catholics have kept most of
the Apocrypha. The Eastern Orthodox Church claims three more books than the
Catholics, and the Ethiopian Church has a total of 81 books in its Bible.29

The Illumination

The verb “photiso” is used for a general enlightening that Christ brings to all
people, especially through Christ (John 1:9. 2 Tim. 1:10). Experiences of conversion
(Heb.6:4). Understanding (Eph.1:18). Theologically, in the early Church baptism was
frequently described as illumination. Illumination regards inspiration as an intensifying
and generally illumination relates to the ministry of the Holy Spirit helping the believers
to understand the truth of the Bible. Illumination closes the canon through study and
meditation, study employs all the proper tools for text meaning. Meditation leads to the
facts of the text and harmonious the whole and applies them to one’s own life.
illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit glorifies Christ. Using these
facts promotes Christlikeness.30

Views on Interpretation

Allegorical Interpretation

Allegorical is a symbolic representation and is usually resorted to when the literal

sense seems unacceptable to the interpreter.

Literal Interpretation

literal interpretation means the words and sentences of scripture are understood in
their normal meaning which is the basis of communication.31

29
Kumaru Nadesan, Apocrypha Can it be Part of The Bible (Mumbai: GIS publishing, 2000), 72.

30
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1999), 169.

31
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 178.
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Semiallegorical or semiliteral Interpretation

Semiallegorical combines both literal and allegorical elements in understanding

the text. Semiliteral mixes literal and non-literal. These both are used for flexible
interpretation of the text under the instruction of the text.

Theological Interpretation

This view seeks to harmonize the Old Covenant and New Covenant economics. It
avoids creating unnecessary distinctions between Israel and the Church.32

Principles for Interpreting the Bible

Grammatical Relationship

It is to study verb tense, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions and laws of

structure.

Historical Context

Every Scripture is written in a historical context. It should be understood

historically.

Literal Context

Here are three steps to be followed. First, study the immediate context carefully.
Secondly, study the major remote context. Thirdly, consider the context of the entire
book.

Compare Scripture with Scripture

32
Ryrie, Basic Theology, 169.
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The dual authorship of the Bible makes it necessary not only to know the human
author’s meaning but also God’s. God’s meaning may not be fully revealed in the original
human author’s writings but is revealed when scripture is compared with scripture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bibliology covers a wide range of topics such as its divine

inspiration, inerrancy, authority, and the processes of canonization. In studying
Bibliology the reader must understand that every word which is in the Bible is
His revealed Word without error and mistake. If one disbelieves in it, it is a denial of
God’s Holy revelation of Himself and rejection of His redemptive work, because only the
scripture confirms the people to believe in not by the storyteller. Whatever is enumerated
is truly inspired without error by which the Church is illuminated. Whatever is inscribed
in this chapter the writer accepts as true all the statements.