Theopneustia
Were we asked how this work of divine inspiration has been
accomplished in the men of God, we should reply that we do not know, that it [is not required of] us to know, and that it is in the same ignorance and with a faith quite of the same kind that we receive the doctrine of the new birth and sanctification of a soul by the Holy Ghost. We believe that the Spirit enlightens that soul, cleanses it, raises it, comforts it, softens it. We perceive all these effects; we admire and we adore the cause; but we have found it our duty to be content never to know how this is done. Be it the same, then, regarding divine inspiration.
And were we, further, called to say at least what the men of God
experienced in their bodily organs, in their will, or in their understandings, while engaged in tracing the pages of the sacred book, we should reply that all did not feel the powers of inspiration to the same degree and that their experiences were not at all uniform. But we might add that the knowledge of such a fact bears very little on the interests of our faith, seeing that, as respects that faith, we have to do with the book and not with the man. It is the book that is inspired and altogether inspired: to be assured of this ought to satisfy us.
From "Theopneustia, The Bible: Its Divine Origin and Inspiration"
Francois Samuel Robert Louis Gaussen (1790-1863): Swiss Protestant pastor and theologian: born in Geneva, Switzerland
accomplished in the men of God, we should reply that we do not know, that it [is not required of] us to know, and that it is in the same ignorance and with a faith quite of the same kind that we receive the doctrine of the new birth and sanctification of a soul by the Holy Ghost. We believe that the Spirit enlightens that soul, cleanses it, raises it, comforts it, softens it. We perceive all these effects; we admire and we adore the cause; but we have found it our duty to be content never to know how this is done. Be it the same, then, regarding divine inspiration.
And were we, further, called to say at least what the men of God
experienced in their bodily organs, in their will, or in their understandings, while engaged in tracing the pages of the sacred book, we should reply that all did not feel the powers of inspiration to the same degree and that their experiences were not at all uniform. But we might add that the knowledge of such a fact bears very little on the interests of our faith, seeing that, as respects that faith, we have to do with the book and not with the man. It is the book that is inspired and altogether inspired: to be assured of this ought to satisfy us.
From "Theopneustia, The Bible: Its Divine Origin and Inspiration"
Francois Samuel Robert Louis Gaussen (1790-1863): Swiss Protestant pastor and theologian: born in Geneva, Switzerland