Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Illumination

The Holy Spirit's work of enabling believers to understand, receive, and rightly apply the Scriptures — distinct from inspiration (the giving of the text).

Latin illuminare, 'to light up'; the concept from '[that God] may give you the Spirit of wisdom … having the eyes of your hearts enlightened' (Eph 1:17–18).

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 ('the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit'); 2 Corinthians 3:14–16; 4:6; Ephesians 1:17–18; Luke 24:45 ('he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures'); 1 John 2:20, 27.

Distinguished sharply from inspiration in Protestant theology: inspiration is complete and gave the church its text; illumination is ongoing and helps every reader. Calvin ties it to the Spirit's 'internal testimony' that persuades of Scripture's divine authority.

Illumination does not give new revelation or infallibility; it removes the blindness of the fallen mind so that the truth already in the text is grasped and embraced.

How much it overcomes the need for scholarship and interpretation; its relation to the church's teaching role (greater in Catholic/Orthodox accounts).

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.