Do you believe the Bible is the literal Word of God? According to a recent Gallup poll, most people don’t! In fact, only 20 percent hold this belief, a number just half of what it was in 1980. Even among self-identified evangelicals, only 40 percent believe the Bible is God’s Word. A growing number feel the Bible is merely “a collection of ‘fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.’” Believing the Bible is the inspired Word of God is a core doctrine for followers of Christ. The Bible claims: “All Scripture is God breathed” or “inspired” (v. 16). God has the unique ability to give life, as when He breathed into Adam the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). Similarly, the psalmist wrote: “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Ps. 33:6). Inspiration means that God, while working through human authors, was actively and directly involved in the writing of His Word. We call this “verbal plenary inspiration,” and it means that every word of Scripture is true (Titus 1:2). The purposes of inspiration are listed in today’s passage as teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (v. 16; see Rom. 15:4). Scripture is inspired, so “that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 17). We don’t read the Bible just to appear more intelligent, but to allow God to work through us. Scripture reveals God to us, and when it comes to God, there is always more to learn. Studying the Bible transforms us. We grow and mature and become more like Christ (v. 15). Salvation means that God is taking sinners and turning us into saints! >> Today in the Word is published by Moody Bible Institute. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. If you are interested in learning more about us, go to Moody’s web page where our doctrinal statement is posted (Article II). There you will find Moody’s specific positional statement about Scripture.