89 - All Scripture is God Breathed

2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:6

Today's reading, indeed all of 2 Timothy, reads as a last testament of Paul to a favored companion and follower.  It gives reassurance, warns of dangers, and commends fidelity to true teaching.

The verse that is frequently pointed to in this passage as the "money quote" is:

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Of course at this time "scripture" would mean the Hebrew Scripture - the Old Testament.  Later church teaching would extend it to the New Testament, which did not come into existence for another 200 years.

Does this passage mean that every word of all scripture is dictated by God - that the Bible constitutes the "words of God?"

My understanding is that scripture is a collection of writings, with numerous human authors, editors and translators contributing to finished product.  Within the texts are differing accounts of the same events (creation, the Flood, the Nativity to name a few).

Holy Bible

But the imperfect human construction of scripture does not mean that it is not "true" in the broad sense. Its stories, histories, songs, poems and wisdom presents a picture of the interaction between a loving God and the people of God, as they learned more and more about their God and built a relationship with God.

The Bible is central to our understanding of ourselves and our relationship with each other and with God.  We read three or four passages from it every Sunday.  People being ordained and members of vestry affirm that they believe that everything necessary to salvation is found in the old and new testament.  They do not say that believing every word of the bible is necessary for salvation. We worship God, not a book.

How do you look at the Bible?