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Products>The Invention of the Inspired Text: Philological Windows on the Theopneustia of Scripture (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)

The Invention of the Inspired Text: Philological Windows on the Theopneustia of Scripture (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)

Publisher:
, 2021
ISBN: 9780567696731
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Overview

John C. Poirier examines the “theopneustic” nature of the Scripture, as a response to the view that “inspiration” lies at the heart of most contemporary Christian theology. In contrast to the traditional rendering of the Greek word theopneustos as “God-inspired” in 2 Tim 3:16, Poirier argues that a close look at first- and second-century uses of theopneustos reveals that the traditional inspirationist understanding of the term did not arise until the time of Origen in the early third century CE, and that in every pre-Origen use of theopneustos the word instead means “life-giving.”

Poirier thus conducts a detailed investigation of theopneustos as it appears in the fifth Sibylline Oracle, the Testament of Abraham, Vettius Valens, Pseudo-Plutarch (Placita Philosophorum), and Pseudo-Phocylides, all of whom understand the word to mean “life-giving.” He also studies the use of the cognate term theopnous in Numenius, the Corpus Hermeticum, on an inscription at the Great Sphinx of Giza, and on an inscription at a nymphaeum at Laodicea on the Lycus. Poirier argues that a rendering of “life-giving” also fits better within the context of 2 Tim 3:16, and that this meaning survived late enough to figure in a fifth-century work by Nonnus of Panopolis. He further traces the pre-Origen use of theopneustos among the Church Fathers. Poirier concludes by addressing the implication of rethinking the traditional understanding of Scripture, stressing that the lack of “God-inspired” scripture ultimately does not affect the truth status of the gospel as preached by the apostles.

  • Consists of a detailed philological investigation of the word θεόπνευστο
  • Explores what 2 Tim. 3:16 actually claims about the Bible
  • Studies the question of whether any sort of doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture is set out or implied anywhere in Scripture
  • Is “All Scripture … Inspired”? The Meaning of Theopneustia in 2 Timothy 3:16
  • Pre-Origen Uses of Theopneustia
  • Pre-Origen Uses of Theopneustia
  • Excursus: Theopneustia in the Physiologus and the Cyranides
  • Inspirationism and the New Testament
  • he Screw Turns: Theopneustia in Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, the De Universo (of Hippolytus?), and Origen
  • Post-Origenist Traces of a Vivificationist Understanding of Qeo&pneustoj in Nonnus of Panopolis
  • In Lieu of a Conclusion: Inspirationism's Waning as a Blessing in Disguise-The Truth of the Gospel versus the “Truth” of the Scriptures in Evangelical and Postliberal Hermeneutics

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  1. Gregory Wolff

    Gregory Wolff

    5/9/2021

    Either the Scriptures are God’s words, or they are not. If they are not, then there is no need for us to follow them, because in all cases, throughout all history, men have erred. They will continue to err. However, if the words of Scripture ARE God’s words, then we must engage with them as true, unchanging and perfectly reflecting the mind of God. The final sentence of the description provided above betrays itself as not aiming a death blow to the truth of the Scriptures, but in every case (again, throughout history), when people try to wear away at the God-inspired, God-breathed nature of Scripture, this allows for the creeping in of heresy, disbelief and a lack of commitment to sanctification and full commitment to the requirements and truths of Scripture. The author, here, does not make his argument from Scripture—he makes it from historical writings, many of which are dubious at best. The key question here is, “How did the Biblical authors and actors view the Word of God?” They took it as absolutely God’s Word. Every word of Scripture confirms that. Again, if God did not speak these precious words to us, then there is absolutely no need for us to follow them, let alone read them. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, and His words were definitely God-breathed. The OT prophets spoke God’s Word with God speaking in the first person! Were they liars? One cannot escape the theological, interpretational and logical fallacies introduced by the idea that God’s Word is not God-breathed. If you do buy this book, make sure you buy it as an “alternate viewpoint.”
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$28.99

Digital list price: $82.80
Save $53.81 (64%)