How was the Bible inspired?
The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit, not by human will or invention. Holy, set-apart men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit caused writers like Moses, David, Elijah, and Jeremiah to write; the same applies to the New Testament.
Les explains that skeptics and scoffers attribute the Old Testament to ancient campfire stories passed down verbally until someone finally wrote them down, but he calls that ridiculous. Peter says nothing even in the Old Testament came by men dreaming it up, nor by men researching what various tribes thought. Instead, as the Holy Spirit caused them to write, Moses, David, Elijah, and Jeremiah wrote. The New Testament is the same. Peter says they did not come by the will of man, but holy or separated, set-apart men of God spoke as they were moved—or inspired—by the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is the author of this book, there is no confusion or contradiction; everything fits if you compare Scripture with Scripture. Les then goes back to Genesis chapter 3 to compare Scripture with Scripture.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.