How Reformed Theologians Understood Inspiration
The 17th century was a defining era for Lutheran Orthodoxy, a period marked by rigorous theological discourse and defense of key doctrines inherited from the Reformation. Among these, the doctrine of inspiration was of paramount importance to Lutheran theologians, or dogmaticians, who labored to articulate and defend the authority of Scripture. In the face of growing challenges from both Roman Catholic theology and emerging rationalism, these Lutheran theologians developed a precise understanding of what it meant for the Bible to be inspired by God. Central to this understanding were the concepts of verbal inspiration and plenary inspiration. This post will explore what these terms mean, how the Lutheran dogmaticians understood them, and why they remain significant today.
Setting the Stage: Challenges to the Authority of Scripture
To understand why the Lutheran dogmaticians invested so much effort in articulating the doctrine of inspiration, it’s important to grasp the context in which they were working. The Reformation, which began in the early 16th century, had sparked significant theological debates over the nature of Scripture’s authority. Martin Luther and the early reformers had insisted on sola scriptura—the principle that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and doctrine.
However, as the 17th century unfolded, the Lutheran Church faced new challenges. On one hand, Roman Catholic theologians continued to argue that church traditions and the authority of the Pope were essential complements to Scripture. On the other hand, the rise of rationalism posed a different kind of threat, as rationalist thinkers began to question the supernatural elements of the Bible and to subject Scripture to the scrutiny of human reason.
In response to these challenges, the Lutheran dogmaticians sought to establish a clear and robust doctrine of inspiration. They believed that in order to defend the authority of Scripture, it was essential to affirm that the Bible was not just generally inspired, but that its very words and every part of its content were divinely inspired.
Defining Verbal and Plenary Inspiration
The doctrine of verbal and plenary inspiration can be summarized as follows:
– Verbal Inspiration: This term refers to the belief that the very words of Scripture are inspired by God. It is not just the general ideas or themes of the Bible that are divinely inspired, but the actual words themselves. Verbal inspiration asserts that God guided the biblical authors in such a way that the words they wrote were precisely what He intended to convey.
– Plenary Inspiration: The term “plenary” comes from the Latin word plenus, which means “full” or “complete.” Plenary inspiration asserts that all of Scripture is inspired by God—not just certain parts, but the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This includes historical narratives, prophetic writings, doctrinal teachings, and even what might be considered minor details.
Together, these two concepts affirm that the Bible is the Word of God in both its form and its content. It is not just the overall message of the Bible that carries divine authority; every word and every part of the text are divinely inspired.
How the Lutheran Dogmaticians Understood Verbal Inspiration
The Lutheran dogmaticians were careful to articulate the doctrine of verbal inspiration in a way that emphasized both the divine and human aspects of Scripture. They believed that God used human authors to write the Scriptures, but that He did so in a way that ensured that the words they wrote were precisely what He intended.
One of the key figures in this regard was Johann Gerhard (1582-1637), who is often considered one of the greatest Lutheran dogmaticians. In his Loci Theologici, Gerhard argued that the Holy Spirit inspired not just the thoughts of the biblical authors, but the very words they wrote. He described the process of inspiration as one in which the Holy Spirit moved the authors to write in such a way that their words conveyed the exact message that God intended.
Gerhard’s understanding of verbal inspiration was closely tied to his belief in the authority of Scripture. He argued that if the words of the Bible were not divinely inspired, then the authority of Scripture would be undermined. For Gerhard and other Lutheran dogmaticians, the doctrine of verbal inspiration was essential for preserving the integrity and authority of the Bible.
The Distinction Between Material and Formal Principles
In developing their doctrine of inspiration, the Lutheran dogmaticians made a careful distinction between the material and formal principles of Scripture. This distinction was important for understanding how they viewed the relationship between the words of Scripture and the content or meaning conveyed by those words.
– Material Principle: The material principle refers to the actual words, sentences, and grammatical structures that make up the text of the Bible. It encompasses the physical form of Scripture, including the letters, words, and sentences.
– Formal Principle: The formal principle refers to the divine content or meaning conveyed through the words of Scripture. It is the spiritual and doctrinal message that the Holy Spirit intended to communicate through the inspired text.
The dogmaticians argued that both the material and formal principles were essential to the doctrine of inspiration. The Bible is not just a collection of inspired ideas or themes; it is the inspired Word of God in its entirety. The words themselves are divinely inspired, and it is through these words that the Holy Spirit communicates His message.
The Doctrine of Plenary Inspiration: All of Scripture is Inspired
In addition to affirming verbal inspiration, the Lutheran dogmaticians also emphasized the doctrine of plenary inspiration. This doctrine asserts that all of Scripture is inspired by God—not just certain parts, but the entire Bible. This was a crucial point for the dogmaticians, as it addressed the question of whether some parts of the Bible might be less authoritative or less inspired than others.
Abraham Calovius (1612-1686) was one of the leading proponents of plenary inspiration. In his Systema Locorum Theologicorum, Calovius argued that every part of the Bible is divinely inspired, including historical narratives, genealogies, and other passages that might seem less significant. He contended that if even one part of the Bible were not inspired, then the entire authority of Scripture would be called into question.
For Calovius and other Lutheran dogmaticians, plenary inspiration was essential for upholding the authority and reliability of the Bible. They believed that the entire Bible is the Word of God, and therefore, every part of it carries divine authority.
Scripture as the Ultimate Standard: The Norma Normans
The doctrine of verbal and plenary inspiration was closely tied to the principle of sola scriptura, which asserts that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and doctrine. The Lutheran dogmaticians referred to Scripture as the norma normans—the norm that norms all other norms. This meant that all other authorities, whether they be church councils, traditions, or individual theologians, must be judged by the standard of Scripture.
By affirming verbal and plenary inspiration, the Lutheran dogmaticians sought to preserve the integrity and authority of the Bible. They believed that if the words of Scripture were not divinely inspired, then the Bible could not serve as the ultimate standard of faith. Verbal and plenary inspiration were therefore essential for upholding the principle of sola scriptura and for defending the authority of Scripture against various challenges.
Balancing Divine Inspiration and Human Authorship
One of the key challenges in articulating the doctrine of inspiration was balancing the divine and human aspects of Scripture. The Lutheran dogmaticians believed that the Bible is both fully divine and fully human. It is divine in that it is the inspired Word of God, but it is also human in that it was written by human authors using their own language, style, and experiences.
Johann Quenstedt (1617-1688) was particularly adept at addressing this challenge. In his Theologia Didactico-Polemica, Quenstedt argued that the Holy Spirit did not override the human authors’ personalities or styles. Instead, He guided them in such a way that their words conveyed the exact message that God intended. Quenstedt emphasized that the inspiration of Scripture does not negate the humanity of the biblical authors, but rather, it ensures that their words are also the words of God.
This balanced view of inspiration was crucial for the Lutheran dogmaticians. They wanted to avoid two extremes: the idea that the Bible was purely divine and not human at all, and the idea that the Bible was purely human and not divine. By affirming both the divine and human aspects of Scripture, they preserved the integrity and authority of the Bible as the Word of God.
Conclusion: The Lasting Significance of Verbal and Plenary Inspiration
The 17th-century Lutheran dogmaticians’ doctrine of verbal and plenary inspiration was a carefully articulated response to the challenges they faced in their time. It was essential for upholding the authority of Scripture, defending the principle of sola scriptura, and preserving the purity of the gospel.
For modern Christians, the doctrine of verbal and plenary inspiration remains significant. It reminds us that the Bible is not just a collection of inspired ideas, but the very Word of God in its entirety. Every word and every part of the Bible carry divine authority, and it is through these words that God communicates His message to us.
As we continue to study and reflect on the teachings of the Lutheran dogmaticians, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the doctrine of inspiration and its central place in Christian theology. By affirming verbal and plenary inspiration, we uphold the authority of Scripture and remain faithful to the principles of the Reformation.
