“In an evaluation of the Scriptures as the Word of God, inspiration is an essential element. The long Protestant experience with this issue is both fruitful and painful, for many have drawn false conclusions from the justified belief in inspiration. Paul Achtemeier is a first-rate scholar who combines scientific investigation with faith, and his sensitivity and honesty make this a most useful book for all interested in the Bible. . . . A better practical book on the subject would be hard to find.”–Raymond E. Brown, former Auburn Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary, New York
“If Achtemeier’s book reaches that large body of Christians looking for a nonfundamentalistic doctrine of Scripture, it could play a major role in creating a framework for them. He comes across as possessing a deep love and respect for the Bible and for the Lord, and eager for people to place their minds and lives beneath its authority. He offers us in the end the doctrine of a covenantal Scripture given by God to his people for their edification and renewal, a dynamic document that can perform this service two thousand years after its completion, confronting us with God’s Word for our situation, through the power of the Spirit. I am highly grateful for this book and recommend it highly to others.”–Clark H. Pinnock, former professor emeritus of systematic theology, McMaster Divinity College
A must read for all who study the Bible All those who treasure and study the Bible should read this book. Paul Achtemeier loves the Bible and treats it as the inspired Word of God. He is also a leading Bible scholar who takes modern Biblical scholarship seriously.One of the struggles faced by students of the Bible on a college or seminary level is how to respect the inspired content of Scripture and at the same time what to do with modern critical study of the Bible. For some, modern scholarship can feel threatening to…
sensible and impassioned erudition Nearly two decades after initial publication under a different title, this lightly revised and expanded second edition renews Paul Achtemeier’s irenic arbitration of a discussion which tends in more acerbic directions. In seven accessible chapters, he seeks to understand how the Bible is different.After a brief apologia for the study, chapter 1 (‘Locus and Mode of Inspiration’) tries to locate the phenomenon we call ‘inspiration’. Seeking a point of departure on which all…