Theories of Biblical inspiration

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Theories of Biblical inspiration offer explanations regarding God's involvement in the formation of Scripture. There are several popular theories held by various segments of Christianity.

Plenary verbal inspiration

This theory states that each and every word of the original Biblical text was inspired (or more literally, "breathed") by the Holy Spirit. This is based on a passage in 2 Timothy 3:16 saying "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." (NIV). This does not necessarily mean that each word of the Bible was audibly dictated to its authors, but that every word in the original copies (i.e. autographs) of the Bible was what God wanted to be there. This is the belief held by fundamentalist and theologically conservative Christians.

Natural inspiration

This theory states that the Bible is no more inspired than any other artistic work. God merely moved the authors to create influential works; therefore, the Bible is as inspired as the Mona Lisa.

Conceptual Inspiration

This theory states that while the entire Bible is inspired, it is only the main ideas or concepts that have received this inspiration. This allows for the flexible wording and grammar of the various Biblical authors. Proponents of this theory believe that this is what 2 Timothy referred to, rather than verbal inspiration.

Partial Inspiration

This theory proposes that only certain sections of the Bible are inspired by God, and others are merely of human origin. Proponents of this theory usually include the Apocrypha or Deuterocanon in their Biblical canon. The belief is not that the Bible is the word of God, but rather that it contains the word of God.

Experiential Inspiration

This theory is in accordance with Reader Response Criticism and claims that the original text of the Bible is not inspired as it cannot have any effect if one does not expierence the text. Inspiration occurs as the reader encounters the text. Thus, God breathes into the reader rather than the author.

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