INSPIRATION. This word is sometimes used to denote the excitement 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 influence, 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 inspiration 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 in 2 Pct. i. 21 : All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ;' Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' These passages relate specially to the O. T. ; but there is at least equal reason tc predicate divine inspiration of the N. T.
The definition which Dr. Knapp gives of in• spiration is the one we shall adopt. He says, It may be best defined, according to the representa tions of the Scriptures themselves, as an extraor dinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught what and haw they should write or speak.' Or we may say more briefly, that the sacred penmen were completely under the direc tion of the Holy Spirit, or that they wrote under a plenary inspiration. Dr. Calamy's definition agrees substantially with that of Dr. Knapp.
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 ; espe cially 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 enlighten and sanctify the heart, and the accom panying witness of the spirit in believers. These are circumstances of real importance, and the dis cerning advocates of inspiration have not overlooked them. But the more direct and conclusive evidence that the Scriptures were divinely inspired, is found in the testimony of the writers themselves. And as the writers did, by working miracles, and in other ways, sufficiently authenticate their divine com mission, and establish their authority and infalli bility 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 founda tion 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.
The prophets generally professed to speak the worn' of God. What 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 commissioned, and spoke in the name of God, or as it is expressed in the N. T., that God spike by them.
But the strongest and most satisfactory proof of the inspiration and divine authority of the O. T. writings is found in the testimony of Christ and the apostles.
The Lord Jesus Christ possessed the spirit of wisdom without measure, and came to bear wit ness to the truth. His works proved that he was what he declared himself to be—the Messiah, the great Prophet, the infallible Teacher. The faith which rests on him rests on a rock. As soon then as we learn how he regarded the Scriptures, we have reached the end of our inquiries. His word is truth. Now every one who carefully attends to the four Gospels will find, that Christ every where spoke of that collection of writings called the Scripture, as the word of God ; that he re garded the whole in this light ; that he treated the Scripture, and every part of it, as infallibly true, and as clothed with divine authority,—thus dis tinguishing it from every mere human production. Nothing written by man can be entitled to the re spect which Christ showed to the Scriptures. This, to all Christians, is direct and incontrovertible evi dence of the divine origin of the Scriptures, and is, by itself, perfectly conclusive.