INSPIRATION (In-spi-ra-shiln), (Heb.
nesh'aw-maw; Lat. insfiiratio, a breathing into).
This word is sometimes used to denote the ex citement and action of a fervent imagination in the poet or orator. But even in this case there is generally a reference to some supposed divine in fluence, to which the excited action is owing. It is once used in Scripture to denote that divine agency by which man is endued with the faculties of an intelligent being, when it is said, 'the inspira tion of the Almighty giveth him understanding.' But the inspiration now to be considered is that which belonged to those who wrote the Scriptures, and which is particularly spoken of in 2 Tim. iii: 16, and ill 2 Pet. i 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ;"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' These pas sages relate specially to the Old Testament ; but there is at least equal reason to predicate divine inspiration of the New Testament.
Inspiration may be best defined, according to the representations of the Scriptures themselves, as an extraordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or 'written, by which they were taught what and hotv they should write or speoh. Or we may say more briefly, that the sacred penmen were completely under the direction of the Holy Spirit, or that they wrote under a plenary inspiration.
1. The Fact of inspiration. To prove that the Scriptures are divinely inspired we might with propriety refer to the excellence of the doctrines, precepts, and promises, and other instructions, which .they contain ; to the simplicity and majesty of their style; to the agreement of the different parts, and the scope of the whole; especially to the full discovery they make of man's fallen and ruined state, and the way of salvation through a Redeemer ; together with their power to en lighten and sanctify the heart, and the accompany ing witness of the Spirit in believers. These are circumstances of real importance, and the discern ing advocates of inspiration have not overlooked them. But the more direct and conclusive evi
dence that the Scriptures were divinely inspired, is found in the testimony of the writers tlze»tselves. And as the writers did, by working miracles, and in other ways, sufficiently authenticate their di vine commission, and establish their authority and infallibility as teachers of divine truth, their testimony, in regard to their own inspiration, is entitled to our full confidence. For who can doubt that they were as competent to judge of, and as much disposed to speak the truth on this subject as on any other? If then we admit their divine commission and authority, why should we not rely upon the plain testimony which they give concerning the divine assistance afforded them in their work? To reject their testimony in this case would be to impeach their veracity, and thus to take away the foundation of the Christian religion. And it is well known that those who deny the justice of the claim which they set up to divine inspiration, do, in fact, give up the infallible truth and authority of the Scriptures, and adopt the principles of deism.
It is, then, of the first importance to inquire what representations are made by the prophets, and by Christ and his apostles, respecting the in spiration, and the consequent authority, of the sacred Scriptures.
(1) Testimony of the Prophets. The prophets generally professed to speak the 7c,ord of God. \That they taught was introduced and confirmed by a 'Thus saith the Lord'; or 'The Lord spake to me, saying.' And, in one way or another, they gave clear proof that they were divinely com missioned, and spoke in the name of God, or as it is expressed in the New Testament, that God spoke by them.
(2) Testimony of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. But the strongest and most satis factory proof of the inspiration and divine author ity of the Old Testament writings, is found in the testimony of Christ and the apostles.