The expression “creation out of nothing” is not found in the Bible, but in one of the apocryphal books, II Macc. 7:28. However, the idea is clearly taught in such passages as Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:9; 148:5; Rom. 4:7; Heb. 11:3.

Berkhof’s Summary of Doctrine

The proper conception of inspiration holds that the Holy Spirit acted on the writers of the Bible in an organic way, in harmony with the laws of their own inner being, using them just as they were, with their character and temperament, their gifts and talents, their education and culture, their vocabulary and style. The Holy Spirit illumined their minds, aided their memory, prompted them to write, repressed the influence of sin on their writings, and guided them in the expression of their thoughts even to the choice of their words. In no small measure He left free scope to their own activity. They could give the results of their own investigations, write of their own experiences, and put the imprint of their own style and language on their books.

Berkhof’s Summary of Doctrine

This special revelation of God is a revelation of redemption. It reveals the plan of God for the redemption of sinners and of the world, and the way in which this plan is realized. It is instrumental in renewing man; it illumines his mind and inclines his will to that which is good; it fills him with holy affections, and prepares him for his heavenly home. Not only does it bring us a message of redemption; it also acquaints us with redemptive facts. It not only enriches us with knowledge, but also transforms lives by changing sinners into saints. This revelation is clearly progressive. The great truths of redemption appear but dimly at first, but gradually increase in clearness, and finally stand out in the New Testament in all their fullness and beauty.

Berkhof’s Summary of Doctrine

Even if we had the apostolic autographs, there would be room for verbal criticism, since they, like other ancient books, were written as a continuous whole, without accents, without punctuation, without division of sentences or words, without titles and subscriptions, without even the name of the author unless it was a part of the text itself.

FROM “INTRODUCTION” BY PHILIP SCHAFF IN AMERICAN EDITION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, EDS. B. F. WESTCOTT AND F. J. A. HORT (NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, 1881), XIII.

For the martyrs die not only for themselves, but also they effect a common benefit. Their courage becomes an exhortation to others, and by the blood of the saints the knowledge of God is built up.

Oecumenius – Commentary on Revelation 6:9-11

God has not chosen to exempt the Bible by a miracle from the fate of other books, but has wisely left room for the diligence and research of man, who is responsible for the use of all the facilities within his reach for the study of the Bible. He has not provided for inspired transcribers any more than inspired printers, nor for infallible translators any more than infallible commentators and readers. He wastes no miracles. He desires free and intelligent worshippers. “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” The Bible, in its origin and history, is a human as well as a divine book, and must be studied under this twofold aspect.

From “Introduction” by Philip Schaff in American Edition of The New Testament in the Original Greek, eds. B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1881), xii-xiii.

Man could not possibly have had any knowledge of God, if God had not made Himself known. Left to himself, he would never have discovered God. We distinguish between God’s revelation in nature and His revelation in Scripture.

Berkhof’s Summary of Doctrine

The Bible gives the only reliable account of the origin of religion. It informs us of the existence of God, the only object worthy of religious worship. Moreover, it comes to us with the assurance that God, whom man could never discover with his natural powers, revealed Himself in nature and, more especially, in His divine Word, demands the worship and service of man, and also determines the worship and service that is well-pleasing to Him. And, finally, it teaches us that God created man in His own image, and thus endowed him with a capacity to understand, and to respond to, this revelation, and engendered in him a natural urge to seek communion with God and to glorify Him.

Berkhof’s Summary of Doctrine

I recently wrote about Preparatory Grace over at Ad Fontes Journal.

Belief must determine practice. The repudiation of Christian dogma must, then, mean the destruction of Christian ethics. He who denies the cross of Christ cannot live the life of Christ.

“THE PRESENT CRISIS IN ETHICS” BY WILLIAM BRENTON GREENE, JR. IN THE PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL REVIEW (JANUARY, 1919), 6.