The Sword of the Spirit

Abstract

"Once again the church is being compelled to re-examine its position on the authority and in¬ spiration of the Bible. We are told in 2 Timothy 3: 16 that ‘all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness’. The Greek word for ‘inspired’ is theopneustos, which means ‘breathed out by God’. The writers of Scripture were not simply assisted by the Spirit in the task of sharing their spiritual insights. Instead, they were elected by God as his instruments to ensure a trustworthy witness to his revelation in the events of biblical history culminating in Jesus Christ. 2 Peter says that ‘no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God’ (2 Pet. 1 : 21 ; cf. 2 Sa. 23: 2)."