The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God. I will reply to this claim only by the Words of the Bible itself.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 2:16,17).This inspiration then would refer to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible doesn't just contain the Word of God, it is the Word of God; authored entirely by the Holy Spirit.
We find, however, the Bible is a difficult book to understand; it seems to contradict itself in several areas, proving to be a poor source for edification or foundational training in correction or righteousness as the quoted Scripture in II Timothy previously suggests. So how do we justify this discrepancy of truth; who do we believe, man or Spirit? Again, allow me to quote the Word in it's own defense.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor 2:14).As the Bible is Holy inspired it can only be Holy discerned. Natural man, (unregenerate) will never be able to comprehend Scripture. Philosophers, scientists, or psychologists who are tops in their respective fields of study will never in their natural minds be able to make sense of the Holy Script.
It is with this knowledge that we find the Bible to be the ultimate authority in all matters related to the church. It is the primary source of understanding that all other sources of information must be filtered through. The Bible does not contradict itself, we simply fail at times to correctly discern the truth as presented in Scripture.
