Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament

By Peter Enns

In this accessible study, Peter Enns offers an evangelical affirmation of biblical authority that considers questions raised by the nature of the Old Testament text.

Enns looks at three questions raised by biblical scholars that seem to threaten traditional views of Scripture. First, he considers ancient Near Eastern literature that is similar to the Bible. Second, he looks at the theological diversity of the Old Testament. Finally, he considers how New Testament writers used the Old Testament.

Based on his reflections on these contemporary issues, Enns proposes an incarnational model of biblical authority that takes seriously both the divine and human aspects of Scripture. The book includes a useful glossary, which defines technical terms and an annotated bibliography for further reading.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 1, 2005
• ISBN: 9781441200679

Peter Enns

Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. David’s, Pennsylvania. He has also taught courses at Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the host of The Bible for Normal People podcast, a frequent contributor to journals and encyclopedias, and the author of several books, including The Sin of Certainty, The Bible Tells Me So, and Inspiration and Incarnation. He lives in northern New Jersey.

Reviews for Inspiration and Incarnation

[eliason-598967 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great book that was formed earlier in Pete Enn's journey. Much of the information contained in the book has been discussed and represented (better in my opinion) in Pete's later books, though there were many ideas and concepts that were unique. If you had to pick a couple of Pete Enn's books to read, stick with How the Bible Actually Works and The Bible Tells Me So.

[eutychus.little · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written with a high view of scripture, but also with the openness to consider issues sometimes worrisome for evangelicals. Enns' model - of incarnation - may not be a lasting idea. But his addressing of questions does, I think, raise substantive issues (such as theological diversity within the scriptures, and the way the NT used the OT).The topics are not new, but written to be accessible to those without formal theological and hermeneutic training - though it will probably need some concentration for readers less familiar with these fields.One term I have a little difficulty with - not only in this book, but it features here - is 'christotelic' as a description of the OT (in contrast to christocentric or christological), meaning that the goal of the OT is Jesus Christ. I know what Enns means in that some OT exegesis has been, at the very least, forced in its seeking to find Christ. But I don't think that's because of poor terminology - it's simply insensitive reading. And, for me, christotelic provides an unjustified theological limit. The scriptures certainly do have their goal (or telos) in Jesus - but that's not all. They also have their source in him, since they are incarnated/part of creation (which, Colossians tells us, came both through Christ and for Christ).

[stephenbarkley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ll admit it. I bought this book because of the controversy. If you’re unaware, read up on it here. I figured that anyone who wrote something that controversial deserved a read. I’m glad I read it.This book conveys a sense of humility and intellectual honesty within a evangelical framework. The best part of this book is his willingness to state the questions boldly (15-16):1. “Why does the Bible in places look a lot like the literature of Israel’s ancient neighbors? Is the Old Testament really that unique? Does it not just reflect the ancient world in which it was produced? If the Bible is the word of God, why does it fit so nicely in the ancient world?”2. “Why do different parts of the Old Testament say different things about the same thing? It really seems as if there are contradictions, or at least large differences of opinion, in the Old Testament.”3. “Why do the New Testament authors handle the Old Testament in such odd ways? It looks like they just take the Old Testament passages out of context.”His thesis (as reflected in the title), is that scripture is analogous to the incarnation: fully God, fully man. We’ve tended to overemphasize the fully God bit, but we continue to uncover evidence that challenges us to consider what it means that scripture is fully human as well.If you’ve ever dared to wonder about these things, pick up this book. It’s more than just controversy. There are questions here that will set the future of Evangelicalism in general.