Wrong questions always bring wrong answers

“Do you believe in the inspiration of the Bible?” is an oft-asked question.

When asked of me, I have three options. I could say “yes,” knowing that my answer was heavily nuanced. I would know that my answer did not represent my best understanding, but might satisfy the questioner, who did not grasp that I had been intentionally deceptive. For me, a “yes” answer is not an option.

I could answer with a firm “no” and build a barrier between myself and the questioner, who has asked what was, to him, an honest and important question. A “no” would feel like a brush-off even though that was not the intent. Additionally, my answer would not do justice to the special place I give by faith to the writings in the Bible. A “no” is not an acceptable answer.

The third option is my own preference. I can reject the question and start the search for new questions that will better serve good communication.

When the word “inspired” is used to describe the Bible writings, a cloud of mystery becomes the context of the Bible. When I was introduced in seminary to the full array of critical studies of the Bible. The cloud of “inspiration” was removed and I found myself reading a Bible that was written by men in the full circumstances of culture and history. I discovered that the writers had audiences and particular purposes in writing. Simply stated, I found a Bible that was more vital, more interesting and more relevant with the cloud removed.

What I found in the Old Testament was an array of storytellers, some of the world’s greatest poets and special men of history who believed they had a message from God that had to be shared. I found the history and legends of a people who firmly believed that God had called him for special purposes in the world.

I found deeply religious people who felt free to argue theology and the meaning of history among themselves. Some of the storytellers, poets and prophets claimed that God spoke to them, but never did they claim holy status for their writings.

The New Testament that I found was more of the same, but with expanded insights and messages. The New Testament writings feature four versions of the life and teachings of Jesus. As history, they cannot be reconciled with one another. None claimed any special revelation from God. The writers were researchers and reporters of the legends that had grown up around the life of Jesus, a prophet and teacher from Nazareth in Northern Palestine.

Of special interest is the introduction and dedication of Luke, the third Gospel account. Luke writes, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.”

Luke is also the author of the book of Acts of the Apostles. Again, he claims the role of a researcher. In neither of the two volumes does Luke claim any special status as a writer of holy script. No shroud of inspiration mystery is reflected in any of the Gospels or the book of Acts, and none is needed to read and appreciate the material. In reality, the removal of the cloud of inspiration is a huge boost to Bible understanding.

The question of the inspiration of the Bible is a question that needs once and for all time to be set aside. We need to reframe the questions we ask when we approach the Bible for study. We have made the error of designating the Bible as a holy book written with the special guidance of God’s spirit. In truth, it is an earthbound book with authors, dates, places and circumstances.

The next time you are asked, “Do you believe in the inspiration of the Bible?” or “Do you believe the Bible?” do not bother to answer the question. Reframe the discussion. The discussion will be much more productive.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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