theology cannon

8/2/2019 Theology Cannon

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Inspiration


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Prof.Lakshman Madurasinghe

Inspiration

American Heritage Dictionary:

1. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to

a high level of feeling or activity.2. An agency, such as a person or work

of art, that moves the intellect oremotions or prompts action or

invention.3. Something, such as a sudden creative

act or idea, that is inspired.


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Inspiration

4. The quality of inspiring orexalting: a painting full ofinspiration.

5. Divine guidance or influenceexerted directly on the mind andsoul of humankind.

6. The act of drawing in, especiallythe inhalation of air into the lungs.


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Inspiration

Sine qua non

of evangelical theology

The watershed issue ofcontemporaryevangelism


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Inspiration

2 Tim. 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspiredby God and profitablefor teaching, for reproof, for correction, for

training in righteousness; so that the man ofGod may be adequate, equipped for everygood work.


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Inspiration

qeo,pneustoj =

qeo,j (theos) pneustoj (pneustos)

Lit. God breathed


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Inspiration

2 Pet. 1:20-21

But know this first of all, that no

prophecy of Scripture is a matterofone's own interpretation, for noprophecy was ever made by an act

of human will, but men moved bythe Holy Spirit spoke from God.


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Inspiration

Wrong Interpretation Correct Interpretation

Refers to the

interpretation of the

revelation to the readers

so that they might read

the Scriptures correctly.

Refers to the

interpretation of the

revelation to the author

so that he might write

the Scriptures correctly.


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Theories of Inspiration

Partial: Some of Scripture isinspired, not all. Namely, that which

is profitable for doctrine, matters offaith and practice. Matters of

history and science are notincluded because they areirrelevant to Gods purpose. (50%

Man, 50% God)


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Theories of Inspiration

Degree: All Scripture is inspired, but someare more inspired than others. (90 %God, 10% Man). The days of creation

narrative was written in accommodatinglanguage, a sort of baby-talk (AlisterMcGrath, Christian Theology, 211).

Verbal, Plenary: All Scripture is inspiredby God who utilized the human elementwithin man to accomplish this withouterror. (100% Man, 100% God)


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Where Does InspirationLie?

1. Mind of God?

2. Mind of the Author?

3. Written Words?4. Message?

5. Message Proclaimed?

6. Message Received?


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1. God

3. Mind

of the

Author

4. Written Words5. Message

6. Message Proclaimed

7. Message Received


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Inspiration

Definition: The supernatural act inwhich God guided the writers of

Scripture giving them His words allthe while utilizing the human elementwithin man to produce the Scriptureswithout error.


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Inspiration

Inspiration is . . .

Verbal: Extends to the very words of

Scripture, not just teachings.Plenary: Extends to everything in the

Bible, not just parts that speak on

matters of faith and practice.


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Inerrancy


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Inerrancy

Definition: The doctrinal teachingthat the Scripture in the autographa

(original manuscript) is true in all thatit teaches.


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Inerrancy

Deductive Defense:

Premise 1: God is truthful and thereforebeyond error (2 Sam 7:28; Titus 1:2;Heb 6:18).

Premise 2: God is the author of Scripture(2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21).

Conclusion: Scripture is truthful andtherefore beyond error.


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Objection # 1 (deductive)

To err is human

Premise 1: Human beings err.

Premise 2: The Bible is a humanbook.

Conclusion: The Bible errs.


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Objection #1 (deductive)

Response

Premise 1: Human beings err.

Premise 2: Christ is a human being.Conclusion: Christ errs.


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The fallacy of this argument lies inpremise that to err is human.

1. Human beings musterr.

2. Human being canerr.

Error is not a foregone necessity ofhumanity.


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Christ

100% human 100% God

Scripture100% human 100% God


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Objection # 2 (inductive)

Alleged Error #1

2 Sam. 10:18 vs. 1 Chron. 19:18


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2 Samuel 10:18

But the Arameans fled

fled before Israel, and

David killed 700charioteers of the

Arameans and 40,000

40,000 horsemen and

struck down Shobach

the commander of their

their army, and he died

died there.

1 Chronicles 19:18

The Arameans fled

before Israel, and David

David killed of theArameans 7,000

charioteers and 40,000

40,000 foot soldiers,

and put to death

Shophach the

commander of the army.

army.


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Alleged Error #1 Solution:

Error in transcription


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Alleged Error #2Matt. 28:2, Mark 16:5 vs. John 20:12, Luke 24:4


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Mark 16:5 Entering

Entering the tomb,

tomb, they saw a

young man sitting

at the right, wearing

wearing a white

robe; and they werewere amazed

John 20:12

And she saw two

angels in whitesitting, one at the

head and one at the

the feet, where the

the body of Jesushad been lying.


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Faulty Assumption

If there were two angels, there wasalso one. No contradiction ispresent. There is no rule that the

Gospel writer cannot differ in whatthey choose to include.


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Alleged Error #3Matt 26:34, 74-75; Mark 14:30, 72


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Matthew 26:34

Jesus said to him,

"Truly I say to youthat this very night,

night, before a

rooster crows, you

you will deny Methree times."

Mark 14:30

And Jesus said to

him, "Truly I say toto you, that this

very night, before a

a rooster crows

twice, you yourselfyourself will deny

Me three times.


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Faulty Assumption

One writer can be more detailedthan another.


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Prof Lakshman Madurasinghe

Inerrancy

Facts about inerrancy:1. The Bible does speak in accommodating

language (e.g. The sun went down).2. The Bible does use round numbers (7000

killed, instead of 6899).3. The Bible does use free quotations (Old

Testament in the New).4. The Bible does summarize (Sermon on the

Mount is longer in Mathew than in Luke).5. Consideration must be made of the genera

of the individual books (Proverbs 22:6).

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