03.04 - Inspiration Attested by the Unity, Harmony, and Purity of Scripture

(4) Inspiration Attested by the Unity ^ Harmony, and Purity of Scripture In speaking of the contents of the Scriptures as evidence of their Inspiration, we ask you to look at the unity and harmony which characterise their teachings. The unity of Scripture is not in identity of statement, style, language and form of expression; for in these particulars there is the greatest possible diversity, every writer being true to himself; but in the unity of truth, doctrine, and purpose which imply the guiding presence and action of the same Spirit of truth in all and with all. There is a unity of theme and subject and a combined harmony of treatment, which, considering the diversity of writers and their distinctive literary characteristics, is remarkable, and peculiar to the Scriptures. We must also remember that the writers lived apart from each other, wrote at times and in places separated from each other by considerable distances, and so could not have written in concert or with knowledge of each other’s writings, yet they not only write upon the same themes and in much the same way, but they agree as to the reality, necessity, purpose, and results of their doctrines and teachings. Professor Kstes, of Hamilton Theological Seminary, speaking of the unity and authority of Scripture, says: “ It is as if one drew water out of a deep well with vessels of different metals, one of brass, another of tin, a third of earth, the water may seem at first to be of a different colour owing to the reflection of the vessel; but when the vessels are brought near to the eye, this diversity of colour vanisheth and the waters are found to be of the same colour and relish. So in the Scriptures we have the different styles of the historian, the poet, the philosopher, the prophet, the evangelist and the apostle, which difference to some at first sight may appear to make the truth of Scripture seem to be of different complexions, but when we look narrowly into them and take them advisedly then will the identity both of colour and relish manifest itself.” 1 The unifying factor is the revealing, inspiring Spirit of God who breathes in all, and moves and energises all with the same truth and purpose. The Scriptures are not a mere collection of writings by different authors on a given theme, nor a heterogeneous mass of literature, but an organised whole, making one complete developing organism of the Kingdom of “Bibliotheca Sacra,” Oct, 1898.

God, the work of the Holy Spirit as the source of divine inspiration and revelation. One theme and purpose dominate the whole, binding them together into an inseparable unity. The Old Testament is ever looking forward to the New, the New is ever looking back to the Old, citing and fulfilling its prophecies, quoting and interpreting its doctrines and truths, interweaving its teachings and promises with the great facts and truths of the Gospel, so that Christ becomes the end of the law for righteousness, the completion and perfection of Judaism, the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. This is peculiar to the Bible.

Though the unity is in the truth and its interpretation, the doctrine and its meaning, the teaching and its purpose, yet the unifying principle is not historical, literary, and intellectual, but moral and spiritual.

There is a purity, righteousness, and holiness characteristic of the Scriptures that is noteworthy in this connection. For Israel was prone to idolatry and sin as other people; but despite their idolatries and moral defection in life and practice, there originated and developed with them the revelation of holy law, of divine righteousness, holiness, and truth; of religious devotion and spiritual worship that attained completeness and perfection in Christ Jesus and the Christian religion. These three unity, harmony, and purity of doctrine, precept, and purpose give to the writings of the Old and New Testaments a character, significance, and permanency, which are the reflection of the Divine mind, the work of the Spirit of God, who worketh all in all.