Why We Are Certain That the Bible is the Word of God

Abstract

Frederic E. Blume defends the certainty that the Bible is the Word of God against modern theological trends that undermine its authority, inspiration, and reliability. He critiques liberalism, neo-orthodoxy, and existentialist interpretations that treat Scripture as human reflection rather than divine revelation. Blume affirms the verbal inspiration of both Old and New Testaments, emphasizing their unity in teaching Law and Gospel and the vicarious atonement of Christ. He outlines a “Biblical realism” that recognizes the historical, linguistic, and literary context of Scripture while maintaining its divine origin and purpose. Blume addresses textual criticism and canon formation, asserting that variant readings and historical developments do not compromise doctrinal integrity. He concludes that true certainty in Scripture arises not from external proofs but from faith worked by the Holy Spirit through the Word itself, echoing the conviction of the Church throughout history. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)