Inspiration of Sacred Scripture

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Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.

~2 Peter 1:20-21

There are two different sources from which the Church draws the truths revealed by God. “This supernatural revelation, according to the belief of the Church, is contained both in unwritten tradition, and in written books, which are therefore called sacred and canonical because, ‘being written under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they have God for their author and as such have been delivered to the Church.’”* The first, then, is Sacred Tradition: “Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours (2 Thess 2:15).” The second is Holy Scripture.

Holy Scripture, it is said, was written under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How can this be? Does “inspiration” mean that God simply dictated, stating word for word what He intended to gradually communicate to man, while a scribe diligently scribbled down all that He uttered? The idea, while intriguing, is preposterous. What do we mean, then, when we say that Sacred Scripture is an inspired book?

First, it is important to note that the books of Holy Scripture are, indeed, not the products of human intelligence, nor were they composed by mere human industry, for “God is the author of Sacred Scripture (CCC 105).” Nonetheless, it was “as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever God wanted written, and no more (CCC 106)”. The books of Holy Scripture were “transmitted by the sacred writers to the human race” from God, and “are His own oracles and words.” The Holy Spirit worked through the sacred writers; he “so influenced their minds” that they did both understand what God wanted written, and only what God wanted written, and then faithfully determined to write down these things. It was only through the Holy Spirit that the sacred writers were able to aptly and inerrantly express them.

Thus, through “this mysterious working of God and man together”, God reveals himself to mankind through the sacred writers. He “spoke first by the Prophets, then by His own mouth, and lastly by the apostles.” Thus, the books of Holy Scripture are truly the Word of God, and are therefore perfect: “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30:5).”

What Effect Does Pain Have on People?

“If you suffer, thank God! -- it is a sure sign that you are alive.”

~Elbert Hubbard.

If you are alive, you will suffer; it is one of the sad facts of life. Pain, physical or mental, can have many effects on a person’s life; it can limit your daily activities, it can confine you to your home or even your bed, it can cause you to be irritable or impatient with those around you.

Mental suffering is perhaps the worse of the two; while physical pain can be debilitating, mental turmoil is perhaps even more so. Mental pain, caused by continual snubs, loneliness, abuse, or mental illness, can make people seclude themselves from other people, even purposeful harm themselves. The vast majority of suicides are caused not by physical pain, but by mental. And just as physical pain can necessitate a person to remain in their bed, mental suffering can seclude a person who is not unable to leave their house just as entirely.

Physical pain is, usually, only temporary. While you suffer it, it seems unbearable; and yet somehow you always manage to bear it. And perhaps the bearing is easier than the expectation. When you go to the doctor’s to get a shot, you spend the entire time of sitting in the waiting room dreading the inevitable moment when the needle pierces your skin. But when it does, the pain lasts perhaps a few seconds. The puncture wound may be sore for a while afterwards, yet in eventuality, you are the better for the shot. It’s like that with all pain, is it not?

All pain is, in eventuality, good for us. It tests our character; teaches us patience, humility, fortitude. Just as metal must be tested in a fire, so we must be tested by pain to see how strong we truly are.

“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4).

We are told “He who suffers much will know much”. Can suffering and pain help form us into wise and knowledgeable people? Says William Somerset Maugham, a novelist and playwright from the early 1900's,“It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive”. Certainly, pain can have such an effect on you. But only in so much as you allow it to. In Romans 8:16-17 we are also told that “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” So if we wish to be glorified with Christ, must also we suffer?

How can the gold be found if we do not first rub away the grime that hides it, disguising it as any other encrusted stone or pebble? Through pain the filth that conceals our true strengths and holiness is rubbed away, revealing our true worth as the heirs of God.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

—2 Corinthians 4:8-11”

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

—2 Corinthians 12:10”

Introduction

I know I needn't introduce myself, and so I shan't, but I think I will explain why I am stealing yet another corner of cyberspace.

I like writing. I'm not especially good at it, but I think that "practice makes perfect." Which explains why I'm starting this blog! I shall try my hardest to keep it up, and perhaps post more than once a month or so . . . . . ;)


Enjoy! Any constructive criticism is warmly appreciated. :)

Yours,
Anna