Inspiration in the biblical sense that has just been discussed is different from how it is used more commonly today. We might speak of a person being inspired to compose a song, paint a landscape, or simply with a correct interpretation of Scripture. In such instances, the ideas originate with the individual, even though they may have good, even divine, influences: a song written because of God’s amazing grace, a painting brought about by the beauty of creation, or a right interpretation caused by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. But only the Bible is directly inspired by God himself: its words are not merely influenced by him, but breathed out by him.

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