Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
INSPIRA'TION. By "inspiration," in the theological sense, is meant that influence of the Spirit of God upon the mind of the sacred writers by which he communicated the knowledge of religious truths or future events, and guarded them against error in delivering these truths to others, either orally or by writing. " 2 Pet 1:21. They were, however, not merely, passive: they were in a condition of receptivity, and their faculties were raised to the highest exercise.
The divine Spirit acted upon each author according to his individuality, and used him, not as a machine, but as a free and responsible agent. Hence the differences of style and mode of treatment. The Bible is both human and divine, like the person of Christ, whom it reflects. There are various theories of inspiration, as to its mode and degrees, which lie outside of our purpose; but all Christians agree that in the Bible, and in the Bible alone, we have a full and perfectly trustworthy revelation of God, and that it is the infallible rule of our faith and practice.