Beetow
Member
- Dec 14, 2024
- 617
- 51
.
Dictation and Inspiration are not synonyms nor do the two words describe the same
processes. This is a common error among Muslims. They affirm that Muhammad
received the Koran by means of dictation and they assume Jews and Christians affirm
the same for the Bible. Not so. Parts of the Bible were dictated, yes, but not everything.
Webster's defines dictate as: to speak, or read, for a person to transcribe; or for a
machine to record
Inspiration is defined as: the action and/or the power to influence the intellect or
emotions
The Bible contains both dictation and inspiration. For example: Lev 26:21-39, Num
15:30-3, and Deut 28:15-68 are dictation— easily recognized as such. But even
dictation can be inaccurate if it's recorded sometime later after the recorder hears
it. Unless it's taken down in real time like stenos do in court, one's memory can be
a serious impediment to verbatim accuracy.
However; the sordid events in Genesis 38:1-30 were recorded not by dictation, but
rather, by inspiration; and therefore it's very possible for pertinent details in that
story to be inaccurate and/or missing. I'm not saying the story is a fabrication, I'm
only saying that human nature being what it is; people are not always perfect in
getting their facts straight.
Every criminal prosecutor is fully aware that whenever there's a human element to
reckon with, there's going to be mistakes and it is extremely rare for two people to
see things perfectly alike. In point of fact, when witnesses agree a little too closely,
prosecutors become suspicious of collusion.
I believe it is highly significant that although there is only one book of Genesis,
there are no less than four Gospels; and those four disagree on several points. But
that's really to our advantage don't you see. If they agreed perfectly, I would have
to suspect that: (1) they were all written by the same author, and/or (2) collusion.
What I just stated may seem blasphemous to some Jews and Christians, but until
they get it straight in their minds that inspiration and dictation are two entirely
different aspects of revelation, they will come across as fanatical extremists, and be
fair game for every astute opponent of the Bible who can easily point out its
inconsistencies.
_
Dictation and Inspiration are not synonyms nor do the two words describe the same
processes. This is a common error among Muslims. They affirm that Muhammad
received the Koran by means of dictation and they assume Jews and Christians affirm
the same for the Bible. Not so. Parts of the Bible were dictated, yes, but not everything.
Webster's defines dictate as: to speak, or read, for a person to transcribe; or for a
machine to record
Inspiration is defined as: the action and/or the power to influence the intellect or
emotions
The Bible contains both dictation and inspiration. For example: Lev 26:21-39, Num
15:30-3, and Deut 28:15-68 are dictation— easily recognized as such. But even
dictation can be inaccurate if it's recorded sometime later after the recorder hears
it. Unless it's taken down in real time like stenos do in court, one's memory can be
a serious impediment to verbatim accuracy.
However; the sordid events in Genesis 38:1-30 were recorded not by dictation, but
rather, by inspiration; and therefore it's very possible for pertinent details in that
story to be inaccurate and/or missing. I'm not saying the story is a fabrication, I'm
only saying that human nature being what it is; people are not always perfect in
getting their facts straight.
Every criminal prosecutor is fully aware that whenever there's a human element to
reckon with, there's going to be mistakes and it is extremely rare for two people to
see things perfectly alike. In point of fact, when witnesses agree a little too closely,
prosecutors become suspicious of collusion.
I believe it is highly significant that although there is only one book of Genesis,
there are no less than four Gospels; and those four disagree on several points. But
that's really to our advantage don't you see. If they agreed perfectly, I would have
to suspect that: (1) they were all written by the same author, and/or (2) collusion.
What I just stated may seem blasphemous to some Jews and Christians, but until
they get it straight in their minds that inspiration and dictation are two entirely
different aspects of revelation, they will come across as fanatical extremists, and be
fair game for every astute opponent of the Bible who can easily point out its
inconsistencies.
_
Last edited:
