Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
1006893648
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Murphy, Patrick E.,1949-
Title
Contemporary evangelical theories of biblical inspiration in light of 2 Timothy 3:16a and 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Degree
Ph. D. -- Université de Montréal, 1997
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, [2000]
Description
5 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
This dissertation addresses several inadequacies in the evangelical reflection concerning the nature of inspiration in the last thirty-five years. One of the major contributions of the present work is the identification and classification of various theories of inspiration which have been proposed by evangelicals since the end of 1962. Although there are various possible approaches which might be taken for the organization of these theories, the most promising for a work which seeks to differentiate between perspectives which are present within the same general school of theological thought is one which classifies them according to the locus or loci of inspiration. Each theory is studied to determine 'who' or 'what' is seen as inspired. Extensive review of the literature reveals that evangelicals have formulated at least twelve distinct perspectives on the nature of inspiration, beginning with the publication of Dewey M. Beegle's 'The Inspiration of Scripture' (1963). This study is the first, to the knowledge of its author, which has identified such a range of theories among evangelicals and which has employed a system of classification which allows for analysis based on specific and identifiable differences between them. This work seeks to assist in the development of evangelical thought not only in the consideration of various evangelical theories of inspiration but also in the exegesis of two biblical texts which are often cited in the discussion of inspiration, 2 Tim. 3:16a and 2 Pet. 1:20-21. As a study which is prepared in the context of a program of biblical studies, it presents an evangelical exegesis of these passages. While the conclusions of this exegesis are not particularly original, several aspects of the presentation are important. First, an effort has been made to state a contemporary evangelical method of exegesis which will both preserve distinct aspects of Protestant thought since the Reformation and respond to current issues in hermeneutics. Second, the exegesis of both 2 Tim. 3:16a and 2 Pet. 1:20-21 draws together the thought of a wide variety of authors and considers certain questions in a manner which is not found elsewhere in the literature. This exegesis is also important in that it states specific exegetical conclusions that are employed in the evaluation of contemporary evangelical theories of inspiration. A final contribution of this dissertation is the critical analysis of recent evangelical perspectives on the nature of inspiration in light of the exegesis of 2 Tim. 3:16a and 2 Pet. 1:20-21. This work considers evangelical thought and argues that the theories of inspiration of Millard J. Erickson and Carl F. H. Henry most adequately reflect the exegesis of 2 Tim. 3:16a and 2 Pet. 1:20-21. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
ISBN
0612388204
9780612388208