God-Breathed Scripture Part 1
In an article titled “Second Timothy 3:16,” a 19th-century Congregationalist writer/theologian states: “This is a crucial passage. It is a Gibraltar commanding the entrance to the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture.” (Israel E. Dwinell Bibliotheca Sacra Apr1890). Some 8 decades later Reformed theologian Edward J Young echoed this sentiment when he wrote: “In any study of the nature of Biblical inspiration one naturally turns to 2 Timothy 3:16. The passage is clear cut and constitutes a ringing declaration of the Divine authorship of Scripture.” (The God-Breathed Scripture, Grace Journal Fall 1966).
Predictably not everyone agrees that 2 Timothy 3:16 is “clear cut.” Some years ago, the theological e-journal Conspectus carried an article dealing with this passage in which the writer comments:
The most definitive biblical text on the nature, function, and purpose of scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, contains several difficulties that have made it the subject of much scholarly debate. ……
Not only is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the most definitive biblical statement on the nature and role of the scriptures, but it is also a passage with several well-known difficulties… (emphasis added)
(A grammatical exposition of 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Kevin G. Smith Conspectus Volume 9, Issue 03 | Mar 2010)
It should come as no surprise that a passage that “constitutes a ringing declaration of the Divine authorship of Scripture” has been scrutinized, analyzed and debated by friend and foe. The good news is that if we strive to evaluate various arguments fairly and honestly, such discussions can help clarify our thinking and reinforce our faith in the integrity of scripture. Hopefully, our present discussion of 2 Tim 3:16 will do just that. (Continued next month)
Rex
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