What is the dictation theory?

Answer

The dictation theory (sometimes referred to as the mechanical dictation theory) seeks to explain the nature of the Bible as God’s Word. When individuals affirm that the Bible is the Word of God, they are typically alluding to the concept known as the inspiration of the Bible. This conviction regarding the Bible is derived from 2 Timothy 3:16–17, which states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is beneficial for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The term “God-breathed” is a translation of the Greek word theópneustos, which can be broken down into theo meaning “God” and pneustos meaning “breathed-out.” Some versions of the Bible express it as: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (KJV).

The dictation theory asserts that God “dictated” His Word to the authors of Scripture, who functioned merely as human stenographers for the Holy Spirit. According to the dictation theory, the Spirit inspired the writing through human authors who were completely under God’s guidance. With the writers in a state of relative passivity, God dictated every word with precise accuracy. This approach ensured that human personality and error would not distort God’s intended message. The human authors did not add their personal input to the content of Scripture as they acted as passive instruments of God’s will.

The dictation theory is not one of the more widespread theories in modern theology, but some conservative Christians adhere to it. Passages like Revelation 2:1 and 8 suggest that, on occasion, God may have employed a dictation method. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah was instructed, “Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word” «Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; dimi

Heed not a word: », (Jeremiah 26:2).

Numerous passages in Scripture feature introductory statements like “The Lord says,” indicating that a prophet was conveying God’s very words to people. However, such instances do not necessarily endorse the dictation theory, as the message from God was often transmitted orally before being recorded.

Moreover, we encounter various sections in Scripture where the authors incorporate personal narratives and reflections of their own personalities (e.g., Galatians 1:6; Galatians 3:1;Philippians 1:3—4, 8). Writing styles and vocabularies vary from one writer to another. For instance, Matthew used the term “kingdom of heaven” 32 times in his Gospel—yet this phrase does not appear elsewhere in the New Testament.

The more precise perspective on inspiration is the verbal plenary theory. This theory asserts that every word in the Bible is inspired by God (though not necessarily dictated) and that all parts of Scripture are equally inspired. Second Peter 1:21 states, “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” As the writers were “carried along” by the Spirit, they, as individuals, “spoke.” Their personal expressions were guided by and safeguarded under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. The end result is the authoritative Word of God.

Irrespective of how God inspired the text of Scripture, the most crucial principle for all of us is that it is inspired. The Bible was bestowed upon humanity for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” and should, therefore, be utilized “so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:1).

Please refer to the Bible verse found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.