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.
Read MoreLast November I announced the publication of the Whitefield Declaration of Faith, a tool that I hope will be useful for the teaching ministry of the church. To that end I have been working on a related project: an exposition of the Whitefield Declaration of Faith. The goal is to create a teaching tool that addresses each paragraph of this confession of faith with biblical-theological accuracy, depth, and accessibility to assist in the instruction of God’s people. Each section will contain not only an explanation, but also two verses of a relevant hymn for reflection and a series of study questions.
Read MoreLet’s stand in thankfulness for the work done by our Christian forbears and early Church Fathers. They’ve handed down priceless heirlooms born out of the careful study and thoughtful discussion in the early hours of our faith’s birth. Rejection of the creeds is to purposefully separate oneself from foundational Christian orthodoxy carried forward from the days before the legalization of Christianity.
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