The firm, sure basis of the Christian faith is contained in Holy Scripture, God's sacred and blessed Word, given by inspiration as our unerring rule of faith and norm of life.

1. Who gave mankind the Bible?
 "We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth," = 1 Corinthians 2, 13.

 Holy Scripture is a unique book.  Christ's Gospel affirms not merely that the Bible contains God's Word, but that it is God's Word.

 In the New Testament, the Scriptures of the Old Testament are directly and absolutely quoted as God's Word.  See Acts 4, 25 and 26, for the words of Psalm 2, 1 and 2 are there quoted as having been "spoken of God by the mouth of His servant David."

2. How did God give mankind the Bible?

 "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." 2 Peter 1, 21.

 The Word of God was inspired, or in-breathed into certain holy men, whom God called to be the official writers of His Holy Book, so that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God."

 Inspiration extends not merely to a part of Scripture, for example, to its important doctrines, but to the entire Bible.

3. Are there, or can there be, mistakes in the Bible?

 "Scripture cannot be broken." - Saint John 10, 35.

 Since Holy Scripture is the divinely inspired Word of God, its inerrancy in every part and every statement is certain because of the infallibility of its divine Author.  In Saint John 10, 35, Christ Himself refers to a single word, "God," occuring in Psalm 82, 6.  If "Scripture cannot be broken" in the case of a single term, then the whole of it, too, must be absolutely true.

4. What was the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the sacred writers?

 The relationship is clearly described in passages which tell us that the Holy Ghost spoke "by the prophets" (Saint Matthew 1,22;2,15) or "by the mouth of the prophets: (Acts 1, 16;4, 25).  The holy writers were the pen-men, or the scribes of the Holy Ghost.

 The Scriptural phrase "by the prophets: also accounts for the varieties of literary style found in Holy Scripture.  The Holy Spirit accommodated Himself to the ordinary mode of speaking, leaving to each one his own manner.  The Holy Spirit prompted and actuated them to writing what they wrote, and also suggested to them both the thoughts and the words which they uttered as they wrote.

5. What is the importance of inspiration?

 "It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail." - Saint Luke 16, 17.  Christianity stands or falls with this doctrine; for if there is no inspired Scripture, there can be no divine doctrine.  Only by continuing in Christ's Word can men know the truth which makes them Christ's disciples indeed and sets them free (Saint John 8, 31 and 32).

6. How do we know that the Bible is true?

 "Thy Word is true from the beginning." Psalm 119, 160.

 The Bible has divine authority because it is in every part the inerrant Word of the living God.  Just because it is a God-breathed Scripture, it is authoritative and must be both believed and obeyed.  It justly claims unrestricted acceptance of its statements, full assent to its teachings, unwavering confidence in its promises, willing observance of its demands.

 Because it is God's book, the Bible is the only infallible source and norm of doctrine and rule of life.

7. Aren't many Bible passages hard to understand?

 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." - 2 Peter 1, 19.

 When Holy Scripture says that it is clear, it means that it sets forth all doctrines of salvation in words so simple and plain that they can be understood by every reader or hearer of average human intelligence and sufficient command of the language employed.  Holy Scripture is pre-eminently clear with respect to those things necessary for salvation.  We readily admit that Scripture contains passages which are more or less obscure even to trained theologians.

 The clarity of Scripture must not be confused with the comprehension of the mysteries of faith.  The mysteries of the Holy Trinity, Christ's coming into the flesh, the atonement through His suffering and death, will always remain unintelligible to human reason; but these deep doctrines are set forth in very clear speech.

8. How is it that the Bible has had such a tremendous influence on the individual human soul and mankind as such?

 "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." - Romans 1, 16.

 "The Word of God . . . effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thessalonians 2, 13.

 The Bible, unlike human books, has the creative power to work in man, who by nature is spiritually dead, both saving faith and the desire and ability to lead a holy walk of life.  The Bible is one of the means of grace, because the Holy Spirit has made it for all times the ordinary means by which He operates on and in the hearts and minds of those who properly hear and read it.

9. Do we need any other book in addition to the Bible?

 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in the." - Isaiah 8, 20.

 The Bible contains all that is necessary for salvation.  Since Holy Scripture is sufficient and perfect, it should not be added to by tradition, or new revelation, or human theories.  While the Bible does not claim to contain everything on any subject that man may know, or even all divine thins which man might desire to know, nevertheless it does all things necessary to be known for the Christian faith and life and therefore for the attainment of eternal salvation.

10. Why did God give man the Bible?
 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17.

 God gave mankind the Bible for two purposes: His own glory and mankind's salvation.  In order to achieve this purpose, the Bible carries out the following steps: it teaches the unconverted the truths of salvation; it preserves and strengthens the faith of the converted; it rears them in holiness of life; it gives them consolation in thei affliction; it gives weapons of offense and defense with which to combat error and falsehood.

 The whole purpose of Holy Scripture is summarized as follows in Saint John, 20, 31 - "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."
Test Paper - Lesson 2

1. Give a Bible passage stating that God is the Source of Holy Scripture:
 

2. Is the following statement true or false: "The important doctrines of Scripture are inspired and errorless, but not the various geographic, and scientific details."
 

3. Describe how our Savior Himself testifies to the Bible's accuracy in even its smallest detail (Psalm 82, 6)
 

4. Is the following statement true or false: "Because the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, His literary style prevails throughout."
 

5. Cross out the false statements in the following:
    a. The writers of the Bible were all ministers or priests.
    b. The writers of the Bible all lived at the same time.
    c. The Bible was written for the benefit of the Jewish people.

6. Please indicate whether the following statement is true or false: "Christianity stands or falls with the doctrine of the divine authority of Holy Scripture."

7. Chick the correct answer. When we say that Holy Scripture is "clear" this means
  a. That the mysteries of the faith can and should be understood by human reason;
  b. That every statement of Holy Scripture is easily understandable;
  c. That the doctrines of salvation particularly are set forth in simple and plain language.

8. What distinctive power does Holy Scripture have in human hearts?
 

9. Is the following statement true or false: "It is necessary to supplement Bible teaching with human tradition."
 

10. For what purpose did God give us His Bible?
 

Make every effort to fill in the answers from memory.  If you are not sure of certain answers, you may look them up in the lesson.  Your paper will be graded according to the following standards: 10 correct: perfect; 9 correct: excellent; 8 correct: very good; 7 correct: good.