BIBLICAL INSPIRATION Meaning and
Definition
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Biblical inspiration refers to the belief or concept that the authors of the Bible were divinely guided or influenced by God during the process of their writing, resulting in the creation of a sacred and authoritative text. This belief is widely held among various religious traditions, particularly those that consider the Bible as a holy scripture.
Adherents to the doctrine of biblical inspiration hold that God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, played a direct role in inspiring and guiding the human authors, ensuring that what they wrote was both infallible and authoritative. The precise nature of this inspiration varies among different interpretations and religious groups. Some believe in a plenary, or full, inspiration, asserting that every word written in the Bible was directly dictated by God. Others hold to a more partial inspiration, suggesting that while the Bible contains divinely inspired truths, it was still influenced by the historical, cultural, and personal contexts of the human authors.
The concept of biblical inspiration encompasses several fundamental ideas, including the belief in the divine origin of the Bible, the idea that the Bible is a revelation of God's will and purposes, and the acknowledgment that the Bible carries unique and transformative power for believers. It is often seen as a crucial element in defending the authority, authenticity, and importance of the Bible, as well as in understanding its messages as a guide for moral, spiritual, and religious life.
Etymology of BIBLICAL INSPIRATION
The etymology of the word "biblical inspiration" can be understood by examining the origins of its two constituent terms: "biblical" and "inspiration".
1. Biblical: This term traces its roots back to the Latin word "biblicus", meaning "of or pertaining to the Bible". The Latin word, in turn, comes from the Greek word "biblikos", which also refers to things related to the Bible. The Greek term ultimately derives from "Biblia", the plural form of the Greek word "biblion", meaning "book" or "scroll". So, "biblical" pertains to something connected to the Bible or its contents.
2. Inspiration: The word "inspiration" comes from the Latin term "inspiratio", derived from the verb "inspirare", meaning "to breathe into" or "to inspire".
