The notion that the Bible is inspired by God is based entirely on a couple of verses in the New Testament: the main one by Paul. (
2 Timothy 3:16) ...
quote:
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
... and another by Peter (
2Pe 1:21).
quote:
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
Neither of the above can be applied to anything found in the New Testament,
unless we are willing to accept Paul's own practice as exemplary of his meaning, for Paul utilized apocryphal and pagan sources to those purposes for which he recommended "god-inspired" writings.
The Greek language of the text makes Paul's statement loose enough to include his own scribbles under the defintion of what might be "inspired by God."
A more conservative interpretation holds that the object of Paul's discussion was the "holy scriptures" mentioned in the previous verse (verse 15). This interpretation would require that scriptures "inspired by God" be limited to
hiera grammata - literally - "priestly writings."
I am doubting that it was Paul's intent to so aggrandize the Jewish canon but I could be wrong.
Theology is the science of Dominion.- - - My God is your god's Boss - - -
™ Version 4.2
