Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 22:2 (Fall 2025)
Article: The Inspiration Of The Bible
Author: Byron H. DeMent

The Inspiration Of The Bible

Byron H. DeMent

Byron Hoover DeMent served as the first president of the Baptist Bible Institute, now New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, from 1917 to 1928.

THE Inspiration of the Bible is a subject of vital and perennial importance. Misconception as to the true inspiration of the word of God inevitably leads to a depreciation of God himself and of the value and authority of his revelation to man. What we understand by inspiration according to the Bible is the purpose of this thesis to expound.1

I. The Meaning Of Inspiration

It has been asserted that no absolutely logical definition of inspiration is possible, due to the fact that inspiration involves God, a writer and a scripture, and we cannot define God. Attempts at a definition are therefore mere descriptions, but in these descriptions the mind is drawn away from erroneous portrayals and centered upon certain groups of facts and arguments. Of course, man being finite cannot comprehend absolutely the infinite, nor can he fully explain and define the highest expression in human language of the character and will of God. Whereas a perfect definition of inspiration may not be attained by imperfect man, still an adequate conception of the Bible as the word of God may be presented and authenticated. Inspiration should be distinguished from certain activities with which it may be readily confused.

1. Inspiration is not a synonym of revelation. Revelation is an unveiling or lifting of the curtain from certain spheres or segments of truth before concealed from the eye of man, while inspiration is a divine urge to communicate the truth to man. Revelation is rather the in-flow of truth and inspiration the authoritative out-flow.

2. Inspiration is not identical with spiritual illumination. All believers, in the language of Paul, are to have the eyes of their heart enlightened, but all Christians are not inspired to write a portion

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of God’s revealed will. This is not their prerogative to-day, nor was it their privilege and duty in the apostolic age. To-day believers are enlightened but not inspired, while Biblical writers were both enlightened and inspired.

3. Nor is inspiration the same as religious intuition. Human genius was not a necessary qualification for writing a booklet providentially incorporated into the Biblical library. Men of God rather than men of genius wrote the Bible, yet some of the authors possessed the highest talent, as Moses, David, Isaiah and Paul, but never did they claim acceptance of their messages on the ground of their own inherent or acquired greatness. The Bible was not written by men naturally gifted in the sphe...