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Sensus Plenior vs Confluence: Understanding How God Inspired Scripture
Scripture is not merely the product of human thought or literary creativity, but the divinely guided Word of God. In our study of biblical inspiration, two views are often contrasted: the idea of sensus plenior—the “fuller sense”—and the concept of confluence. While proponents of sensus plenior argue for a latent, deeper meaning in Scripture that even the human author might not have fully grasped, the confluence model asserts that God’s revelation and the human author’s message are in perfect unity. This article will summarize and examine both views, focusing on the example of Caiaphas, a text often appealed to in support of sensus plenior. I will argue that Scripture was written with a complete harmony of intent—both human and divine—and that proper exegesis must rely on the historical and grammatical context of the text. Understanding Sensus Plenior The Latin term sensus plenior means “fuller sense,” and it suggests that the…
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Did the Prophets Understand Their Prophecies?
Sometimes it is claimed that prophets in the Old Testament did not fully understand their own prophecies. This is often an argument for sensus plenior, which is the idea of finding a “fuller meaning” behind the text—a meaning which the original author may not have known. One of the key texts which is used to support the idea that prophets did not fully understand their prophecies is 1 Peter 1:10–12. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent…