Lesson 2.2: Inspiration, Inerrancy, & Canonicity

• The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin word “inspirare” which means “to breathe upon” or “God-breathed”.
• Biblical inspiration - an action of God upon human authors to write only what God wants written.
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that biblical inspiration is an action of God upon human authors to write only what God wants written.
• Biblical Inerrancy - means that the Bible is a trustworthy guide on the road to salvation
• Bible as Faith-Testimony - instructs divine wisdom and directs man and woman to his/her ultimate destiny after being created in the image and likeness of God
• Exegesis - studying the text itself in order to lead out or draw out its real and intended meaning; OBJECTIVE understanding of the text
• Exegesis comes from the Greek word exegeomai which basically meant “to lead out”
• Eisegesis

  - readers make their own interpretation according to their own understanding and feeling, then, appropriate such personal explanation – thus, it is truly SUBJECTIVE

  - "an interpretation that is placed into the text which the text itself did not mean"
• The word canon is derived from the Hebrew word “qaneh” which refers to a reed
• Reed - a measuring stick which was eventually understood as “a measure, a rule, norm or standard
• The Jewish Scripture is divided into Three Parts:

  • Torah - which means Law
  • Nevi'im - which means Prophets
  • Ketuvim - which means writings
• Torah

  - simply means an “instruction” or “teaching”

  - implies a rule of life and teaching to be followed by the people of Israel in view of their covenant relationship with Yahweh as their only God

  - refers to the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
• Nevi'im

  - means “prophet” – spokesperson of God

  - recounts the rise of persons and messengers who are dedicated to communicate the Word of God to Judah and Israel
• Former Prophets - contains four historical books—Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.
• Latter Prophets

  - includes four prophetic works—the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve (Minor) Prophets

  - Minor Prophets includes the books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
• The Greek translation of the Bible became known as the Septuagint.
• Exegesis comes from the Greek word exegeomai which basically meant “to lead out”
• Torah contains 5 books

  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
• Former Prophets

  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • Samuel
  • Kings
• Latter Prophets

  • Isaiah
  • Jeremiah
  • Ezekiel
  • the Twelve prophets