The writers of the Bible bear witness that God’s Word is trustworthy because God is trustworthy. The Bible is described as “breathed out” by God himself (2 Tim. 3:16). Those who wrote the Bible were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:16–21). OT writers were frequently asked to write what the Lord commanded (Ex. 17:14; Jer. 25:13; Hab. 2:2). The statements “Thus says the Lord” and “the word of the Lord came to me” indicate that the prophets were aware of God’s speaking through them (e.g., Ezek. 26:7). In the NT, Paul speaks clearly of being taught by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13). The book of Hebrews cites OT quotations as words of God (Heb. 1:5; 3:7). Peter equates Paul’s words with Scripture (2 Pet. 3:15–16). The NT was written by Jesus’ apostles and people they taught, who faithfully recorded the events of his life and applied his teaching. Christians have long confessed that the Bible is without error and true, or “inerrant.” Because it is inspired by God himself, “who never lies” (Titus 1:2), the Bible is completely trustworthy on every subject it addresses and in the way in which it addresses it. The Bible does not intend to provide twenty-first-century historical precision or scientifically technical language, but it accurately conveys what it intends to convey while using ancient literary forms and techniques. Like other ancient literature, the Bible often expresses truth in ways that amaze current readers.
~ Paul R. House
