Prepared as the Presidential address for the fifty-third general meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association (1990), this uncompleted paper proposes a novel approach to the question of inspiration generated at Vatican II. Following a brief survey of the state of the question, the paper seeks to justify Newman's insight on the role of the mediating community by means of a semiotic approach. It proposes Peirce' s model of semiotics as a reliable methodological tool for understanding inspiration in today's post-modem era. Finally, it intends to suggest ways in which this definition may enhance biblical studies and aid the Church's growth. Thomas F. Dailey, O.S.F.S., of Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales, completed the paper from the notes of the author.
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