old guys

Upon inspiration from a dear friend of mine (one of probably two people that read this blog...), I have begun a inquiry into the doctrine of the nature of the inspiration of the Bible. I plan on doing this for the next few months, just enough time to get really confused and give up... :) So, I thought I'd stick some stuff on hear, just in case anyone wants to come with me on this journey (or encourage me or tell me it's hopeless or I'm terribly wrong...the second two of which I will promptly delete from my comments...) Here's some perspectives that I ran across today.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors is not necessarily the views of the blogger, just something important to consider and pay attention to, possibly even agree with, maybe.

About the authors of scripture: "[Their sole function was] to present themselves pure to the energy of the Divine Spirit, in order that the Divine plectrum itself, descending from Heaven and using righteous men as an instrument like a harp or lyre, might reveal the knowledge of things Divine." - Justin Martyr, early church apologist

About Clement of Alexandria: "Clement's view of the plenary authority of the Old and New Testaments is unequivocal: he admits the doctrine of verbal inspiration, but finds himself sorely tried by the difficulty of reconciling his reason with his faith, the philosophy of Greece with the teaching of the Law and the Prophets.... he advocates no bald mechanical theory which leaves no room for the exercise of men's faculties, but that the human side of inspiration must be allowed due recognition.... And once more, Clement teaches us that the man who believes the Divine Scriptures with sure judgment receives in the Voice of God, Who bestowed the Scripture, a demonstration which cannot be impugned." - George Duncan Barry in his book The Inspiration and Authority of the Holy Scriptures, A Study in the Literature of the First Five Centuries

On the Scriptures: "Every letter, how strange so ever, which stands written in the Oracles of God does its work." - Origen

And finally, a little bit of ol' John Calvin: "For if we consider how slippery is the human mind...how prone to all kinds of error...we can perceive how necessary is such a repository of heavenly doctrine, that it will neither perish by forgetfulness, nor vanish in error, nor be corrupted by the audacity of men."

So, that's what I did today, as well as taking a picture of my surroundings as you can see above. Alright, I'm tapping out. More to come later.