Inspiration : Towards a Christian Interpretation of Biblical Inspiration

This book anchors its study of inspiration firmly in the Scriptures themselves, and examines both the inspired nature of the Bible and its inspiring impact. It begins by evaluating classical views of biblical inspiration expounded by Karl Barth and Raymond Collins. It then takes up the inspired origin of the Old Testament, where earlier books helped to inspire later books, before moving to the New Testament, which throughout shows the inspiring impact of the inherited Scriptures—both in direct quotations and in many echoes. The work then moves to the Bible’s inspiring influence on Christian worship, preaching, teaching, the visual arts, literature, and life. After a chapter that clarifies the interrelationship between divine revelation, tradition, and inspiration, two chapters expound ten characteristics of biblical inspiration, with special emphasis on the inspiring quality of the Bible. The book explains a major consequence of inspiration, biblical truth, and the grounds on which Christians ‘canonized’ the Scriptures. After spelling out three approaches to biblical interpretation (the authorial intention, the role of readers, and the primacy of the text itself), the work ends by setting out ten principles for engaging theologically with the Scriptures. An epilogue highlights two achievements of the book. By carefully distinguishing (but not separating) inspiration from divine revelation and biblical truth, it can deliver readers from false problems. The book also underlines the inspiring effects of the Scriptures as part of the Holy Spirit’s work of inspiration.

© Gerald O’Collins, SJ 2018.