{"product_id":"the-invention-of-the-inspired-text-philological-windows-on-the-theopneustia-of-scripture-9780567698681","title":"The Invention of the Inspired Text: Philological Windows on the Theopneustia of Scripture","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn 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 \u003ci\u003etheopneustos\u003c\/i\u003e as \"God-inspired\" in 2 Tim 3:16, Poirier argues that a close look at first- and second-century uses of \u003ci\u003etheopneustos\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003etheopneustos\u003c\/i\u003e the word instead means \"life-giving.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePoirier thus conducts a detailed investigation of \u003ci\u003etheopneustos\u003c\/i\u003e as it appears in the fifth \u003ci\u003eSibylline Oracle\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eTestament of Abraham\u003c\/i\u003e, Vettius Valens, Pseudo-Plutarch (\u003ci\u003ePlacita Philosophorum\u003c\/i\u003e), and Pseudo-Phocylides, all of whom understand the word to mean \"life-giving.\" He also studies the use of the cognate term \u003ci\u003etheopnous\u003c\/i\u003e in Numenius, the \u003ci\u003eCorpus Hermeticum\u003c\/i\u003e, 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 \u003ci\u003etheopneustos\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn C. Poirier\u003c\/b\u003e is an independent scholar based in Germantown, Ohio, USA.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"T\u0026T Clark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50863584772370,"sku":"9780567698681","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_91da712f-c2b3-45bf-b154-57b2aef83d10.jpg?v=1737641795","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-invention-of-the-inspired-text-philological-windows-on-the-theopneustia-of-scripture-9780567698681","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}