Do the Scriptures Come from God?
Are the scriptures just written by men?
The scriptures are written by actual men. They are not just written by men.
The scriptures claim that God controlled the production of the scriptures. The early followers believed that God sent messages through people. They also believed that God controlled the collection of the scriptures.
You, of course, must decide that for yourself. Base your decision on the evidence.
Did God always simply dictate the scriptures?
There are some cases where God dictated words to write down:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words.” (Exodus 34:27)
Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
God apparently did not always do this.
The authors of the scriptures admit using other sources:
It is written in the Book of Jashar (2 Samuel 1:17).
Are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)?
Are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah (1 Kings 4:29)?
The authors mention personal information only meaningful to them:
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (2 Timothy 4:13)
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (1 Timothy 5:23)
With the help of Silas … I have written to you briefly (1 Peter 5:12).
Sometimes scriptures are produced as a narrative. Sometimes they are a speech. Other times they are presented as a song, or in the form of a personal letter. This is nonsense if it is just God dictating words.
What did the early church think about the scriptures?
Jesus held the Jewish scriptures in the highest regard.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18)
Jesus believed that the authors of scripture spoke through the holy spirit.
David himself, speaking by the holy spirit, declared … (Mark 12:36)
Jesus claimed that his message came directly from God.
I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. (cf. John 12:49)
He told the twelve apostles that the holy spirit would guide them into all truth.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)
The early church believed that the Jewish scriptures were the words of God. The early church considered the words of a prophet to be the words of God. God used individuals to transmit his message. The final result did not come from their intent. The written words represent God's intent.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Paul believed that scripture came from God. It was as if scripture came out of God's mouth. This applied to everything that was considered scripture. These words had the force of the will of God.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Exactly how did this “inspiration” occur? What did it look like when someone was inspired by God? Did they go into a trance, or did their eyes roll back into their head?
This is unknown.
Were the authors of the Bible aware that they were inspired by God?
John said that Jesus told him that he would be inspired.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)
Paul made strong claims about his authority. There are eternal consequences for ignoring his commands.
If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. (1 Corinthians 14:37-38)
John claimed that the risen Jesus appeared to him. He received a vision. Jesus told him to write down what he saw in the vision. (Revelation 1:1-3, 9-11)
Anyone who modifies the vision will suffer eternal consequences.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)
Paul makes similar claims about his message. He wishes permanent spiritual condemnation on anyone who alters his message.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! (Galations 1:8-9)
Peter refers to Paul's letters in the same way. He also refers to Paul's letters as “scripture.” Those who distort Paul's intent will suffer destruction.
[Paul] writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16)
These answers use the scriptures themselves. You cannot prove the scriptures are true by showing the scriptures claim to come from God. That does not really prove anything, does it?
This is not an attempt to prove anything. It is only an explanation about what the scriptures internally claim about themselves. It is intended to clear up misrepresentations.
Hopefully, what the scriptures say is much clearer now.
Look at the next Section.