Inspired by God
Confidence in God’s Word
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Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NET)
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What kind of confidence can we have in God’s Word?
The Bible is unique. It’s arranged more like a library than it is a book.
Just like a library, it has different books that make up different sections. These sections are different genres of literature and should be read differently, according to their genre.
For example, the Psalms are clearly poetry. While 1 & 2 Samuel are more historical accounts. You wouldn’t read a poem like you’re reading a history book, right?
The same applies to those books.
2 Peter is a letter from Peter to the churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).
Of course reading a letter is different from reading a poem or historical book.
Anyway, back to the inspiration: The library of the Bible is a collection of works from thousands of years, dozens of human authors, and one divine author.
The critical messages of the Bible are consistent, even if some minor details are inconsistent.
When I say minor details, I mean things like changes in spelling words, arranging Jesus Christ into Christ Jesus, etc. Things that obviously have no affect on the big, critical messages.
What’s more: we have piles of pieces of the Bible to lean on. Like tens of thousands of pieces of the Bible that show the remarkable preservation of what has been handed down.
In short, if you believe Julias Caesar was an emperor of Rome, then you should be confident that the words we have of the Bible today are what God shared with prophets back in the day.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.