Gods Sabbath

T HE P LACE FOR OUR P LANS

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ond edition appears, the writer works on a careful revision. If the original writer has died, then God gives this work to anoth er writer or writers. If it was God’s way to dictate the words to be written, then it would not matter how skilled or inexperienced the human in strument was. The book would be written perfectly and beyond improvement. There would be no place for human talent or de velopment and therefore no point in God’s giving these abilities to people in the first place, nor in providing for their growth. These principles of divine communication remain true no matter how close the walk with God may be. The writers of the books of the Bible demonstrate the reliability and success of these principles. There is certainly great advantage in establish ing a close communion with God, for this enables Him to give richer revelations of truth than would otherwise be possible. But the fact that each Bible writer produced a book with a style char acteristic of himself, proves that God did not dictate the precise words. He did reveal the messages to be recorded and He in spired the writing of them. But it was the responsibility of the human instrument to use every skill and talent, sanctified by God’s power, to present the testimony of Jesus in the best way possible under these circumstances. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right eousness ....” 2Timothy 3:16. The fact that the Bible was given by inspiration does not mean that God dictated it word by word. Rather, He inspired the thoughts of the writers. It was God, the Plan Maker, who gave the instructions as to what should be written, when it should be written and who should undertake the task. Once these specific directions were given, it was up to the chosen writers to use their God-given abilities to produce the work under His inspira tion and guidance. A clear description of this co-working of the divine and the human in the production of this sacred book is given in the following paragraphs. The Writing of the Bible