Inspiration

(in-spe-ra'shün.) [From L. inspiratio, a breathing into.] (Physiol.) The act of inhaling air into the lungs.-(Theol.) The term I. denotes the action of the divine mind upon the human mind, whereby the latter is both supernaturally informed and qualified to communicate the information received. The term revelation is used more distinctively to expre the first part of this action, and I. to expre the second part. But, in truth, all inspiration, as the word itself bears, implies revelation. The I. of the Scriptures signifies a supernatural qualification or special divine authority in the books of Scripture as deposit aries of truth. When the theologian a erts any book of the Bible to be inspired, he means that it po e es an authority different from any other book, that it contains truth not merely as any ordinary book may do, but by a special divine impre . It is different from ordinary books, as conveying in a more immediate and direct, and therefore authoritative, manner divine truth. All orthodox theologians maybe said to agree in ascribing this special divine character to Holy Scripture; but further there is no agreement. The mode of I., the degree and extent of it, are all subjects of dispute. [s. 487]