Common views on inspiration

Over the years Christians have typically viewed inspiration over a broad spectrum from verbal dictation to existential encounter. Various systematic theologians have categorized different ideas on how inspiration operated in the prophet’s experience. These ideas are varied and sometimes complex and confusing. Functionally these views can be reduced to three, which are familiar to Adventists. The following diagram represents the spectrum of thought on the subject.UEGW 33.2

Verbal ———♦ DivineUEGW 33.3

Thought ———♦ Divine/HumanUEGW 33.4

Encounter ———♦ HumanUEGW 33.5

At one extreme, with verbal dictation, the Holy Spirit has almost complete control over the entire process. On the other extreme, existential encounter, everything is based on the impressions of the person about God, and the process is almost entirely human. As you come closer to the middle, there is a blending of the two into what has often been referred to as thought inspiration that gives due respect to the divine communication and the human impressions. A little more needs to be said about each of these categories—verbal, encounter, and thought inspiration.UEGW 33.6