The Fundamentals - 1910: Vol.7

Inspiration 33 mission to all the laws and will of God, as made known in its pages. This of itself would not signify a great deal, though unique, were it not for the striking and significant results ,of such submission; but, the natural inference of such assump- tion is, that the words of demand and command are from God. A great many statements of the Bible plainly indicate that the words are inspired. The following are a few instances: Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). This is characteristic of the entire Psalm. “The words of the Lord are pure words” (Psa. 12:6). “Is not My word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29). “The Word of our God shall stand forever” (Isa. 40:8) ; and so bn, almost od infinitum. Everywhere in the sacred record you find this same suggestion of Divine authorship. Jesus and the Apostles always recognized it, and gave it prominence and emphasis. Its importance and value should not be under- estimated. THIRD. The Resultant Testimony. What of it? Paul tells us that “Every sacred writing” is “God-breathed.” (Pasa Graphe Theopneustos.) “No prophecy ever came, by the will of man; but men spake from God, being moved [pheromenoi, borne along] by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). (This pas- sage does not justify the so-called “mechanical theory of inspiration.” Such theory is nowhere taught in the Scrip- tures. Indeed, the obvious fact that the individual character- istics of the writers were in no way changed or destroyed, disproves such theory.) I t is said: “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nos- trils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). Elihu said, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4). Now, then, the very same Almighty power that gave life to Adam and Elihu, and which made the “Heavens . . . and

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