One approach to inspiration is to think of a tanker skipper handing over management of his vessel to a pilot. Another comparison is to think of a novice being helped by his father to learn to balance a bicycle.
Analogies abound because there are different kinds of inspiration. Another thing to bear in mind is that there is a difference between avoiding typos, elementary errors of grammar, inaccurate references and arithmetical blunders on the one hand and on the other hand grasping and conveying the general drift of an argument. There is of course the possibility of unintended consequences following any man-made document but that is one of the facts of life that legal drafting and Scriptural production have to contend with.
To go back to the tanker, we can say that the important thing is that the tanker should be berthed safely and where required. That is the ultimate purpose and test of the pilot’s work. If we apply the same test to New Testament documents, we may well realise that this is an extremely demanding test. It takes four Gospels to achieve the goal. And the rigour of the test is that it is far from being the easiest thing in the world to harmonise the four. The Christian Gospel, the good news, cannot readily be grasped in all its aspects without a good deal of consideration. Think of the tasks an archaeologist undertakes in reading the findings at different levels. Did somebody say some projects are like playing chess in 3D?
So when we talk about the inspiration of the biblical documents, we are talking about diverse kinds of activity, diverse kinds of inspiration. See 2 Timothy 3.14-17. We are not called upon to invent forms of belief. We have to read the existing documents and make ourselves competent in understanding them aright. They come to us through the hard work and discrimination of a variety of oral guardians and henchmen. As has often been said, they have about them the stamp of authenticity.
Analogies can take us only so far. To plumb the mystery of the creative process, to bring something out of nothing, is a deep matter. And when we are talking of the inspirational activity of the Holy Spirit, we have to be cautious – and wary.
GOOLE VIDEO
Goole is the furthest inland port in the country. Its main shipment used to be coal. It now handles containers and timber. St John’s parish church has a brisk welcoming video introducing a visitor to St John’s people and the spire centre is at present undergoing a refurbishment to make it a community facility. The Vicar is Hannah Patton.
HODGE HILL
Hodge Hill church is a partnership between St Philip and St James parish church and Hodge Hill United Reformed Church. It meets on Sunday mornings at the Blue Cross church. Charting a course in the post-lockdown world, the Rector, Alasdair Barrett, and his team are investigating questions of mission and community-building.
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