Definition and Context
Dictation, in the context of biblical studies, refers to the belief that the Scriptures were written by human authors who were directly guided by the Holy Spirit, such that the words they wrote were precisely what God intended. This view emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the Bible, asserting that the human authors were instruments through which God communicated His will and truth.

Biblical Basis
The concept of dictation is often associated with passages that emphasize the divine inspiration of Scripture. One key verse is 2 Timothy 3:16, which states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." This verse underscores the belief that the Scriptures are not merely human writings but are breathed out by God Himself.

Another significant passage is 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This suggests that the human authors were moved by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their writings were divinely authoritative.

Historical Perspective
Throughout church history, the concept of dictation has been a point of discussion and debate. Early church fathers, such as Augustine, emphasized the divine authority of Scripture, though they did not always articulate a strict dictation theory. The Reformation further solidified the belief in the authority and inspiration of Scripture, with Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin affirming that the Bible is the Word of God.

In more recent times, the dictation theory has been associated with a more literal understanding of inspiration, particularly within conservative evangelical circles. This view holds that while the human authors' personalities and styles are evident in the text, the ultimate source of the words is God Himself.

Implications for Interpretation
The belief in dictation has significant implications for how the Bible is interpreted and understood. It underscores the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, suggesting that the Bible is without error in its original manuscripts. This view encourages a high regard for the authority of Scripture in matters of faith and practice, leading to a literal and historical-grammatical approach to interpretation.

Critiques and Alternatives
While the dictation theory emphasizes the divine origin of Scripture, it has faced critiques for potentially downplaying the human element in the writing process. Critics argue that this view may overlook the cultural, historical, and literary contexts in which the biblical authors wrote. Alternative views, such as the dynamic or verbal plenary inspiration theories, seek to balance the divine and human aspects of Scripture, suggesting that God inspired the thoughts and concepts, while allowing the authors to express them in their own words.

Conclusion
The concept of dictation remains a significant topic in discussions of biblical inspiration and authority. It highlights the belief in the Bible as the Word of God, while also inviting ongoing exploration of the relationship between divine guidance and human authorship in the composition of Scripture.1. (n.) The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing; also that which is dictated.

2. (n.) The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation.

5060. Tertios -- "third," Tertius, a Christian to whom Paul ...
... Transliteration: Tertios Phonetic Spelling: (ter'-tee-os) Short Definition: Tertius
Definition: Tertius, who wrote the Epistle to the Romans at Paul's dictation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5060.htm - 6k6310. peh -- mouth
... 9), according* (2), apt (1), beak (2), boast* (1), boasting (1), collar (1), command
(45), commandment (6), counsel (1), dictated* (1), dictation (6), edge (37 ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

Otherwise, if Everything which Goes against Origen and his ...
... too that the rescripts of the Emperors which order that the Origenists should be
banished from Alexandria and from Egypt have been written at my dictation. ...
/.../12 otherwise if everything which.htm

Introduction
... utmost as the Lenten meditations of a devout nun, related in all simplicity, and
written down in the plainest and most literal language, from her own dictation ...
/.../emmerich/the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/introduction.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... was restricted so that he could not utter publicly, himself, his prophetical warnings,
he employed Baruch, his scribe, to write them from his dictation, with a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Apostolic Scriptures.
... They had only to sit down, take pen and ink, and write at His dictation." The advocates
of the natural process state its case as follows: "The apostles had ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxx the apostolic scriptures.htm

Limiting God
... We limit the Holy One of Israel, sometimes by dictation to him; at other times by
distrust of him, and some push this sin to its farthest extreme by an utter ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

Church and State in New England
... In submitting to their dictation, the large majority of the people had to submit
to a "government that left no incident, circumstance, or experience of the ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... Christ is preached"""Together with them". The work of dictation is nearly
done in the Roman lodging. The manuscript will soon be ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter xii the collection for.htm

The Insistency of Prayer
... And I would further say that by importunity something else is meant than passionate
dictation and stormy pertinacity"imposing our egoist will on God, and ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter vii the insistency of.htm

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
... If the dictation of his will as a law in reference to the service had
been sufficient, he would not otherwise have enjoined it. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xiii covenanting predicted in.htm

Preface
... to gather and preserve the treasures of grace that I have here before my eyes."
So, daily, for six years, this writer sublimated his career to take dictation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/preface.htm

Dictation (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner;
authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation. ...
/d/dictation.htm - 8k

Tertius (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TERTIUS. tur'-shi-us (Tertios): The amanuensis
of Paul who wrote at his dictation the Epistle to the Romans. ...
/t/tertius.htm - 8k

Ethanus
... ETHANUS. e-tha'-nus, the King James Version Ecanus (Apocrypha): One of the scribes
who wrote for forty days at the dictation of Ezra (APC 2Esdras 14:24). ...
/e/ethanus.htm - 6k

Dictating (1 Occurrence)

/d/dictating.htm - 6k

Creed
... II. Origin of the Creed. The legend was that the creed took shape at the dictation
of the Twelve Apostles, each of whom contributed a special article. ...
/c/creed.htm - 43k

Apostles'
... II. Origin of the Creed. The legend was that the creed took shape at the dictation
of the Twelve Apostles, each of whom contributed a special article. ...
/a/apostles'.htm - 20k

Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... Even in His death the bitter hatred of the priests caused this name to accompany
Jesus, for it was at their dictation written above His cross by Pilate (John 19 ...
/n/nazarene.htm - 18k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... But on this point no positive certainty can be attained. It is commonly supposed
that Luke wrote under the direction, if not at the dictation of Paul. ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

Text (5 Occurrences)
...Dictation was largely followed by Paul, the names of at least four of his secretaries,
Tertius, Sosthenes, Timothy, and Sylvanus, being given, while the master ...
/t/text.htm - 73k

Manuscripts
...Dictation was largely followed by Paul, the names of at least four of his secretaries,
Tertius, Sosthenes, Timothy, and Sylvanus, being given, while the master ...
/m/manuscripts.htm - 39k

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