God’s Word has always had enemies, but in recent years the inspiration and authority of Scripture have been attacked with renewed vigor. Respected scholar D. A. Carson has written widely on the nature of Scripture over the past thirty years, and here presents a timely collection of his work in two parts.

In part 1, Carson selects essays written on such themes as how to interpret the Bible, recent developments in the doctrine of Scripture, unity and diversity in the New Testament, and redaction criticism. Presenting a theologically balanced and confessional perspective, Carson defines the terms of a number of debates, critiques interpretive methods and theories, and suggests positive guidelines for future action.

Part 2 presents critical reviews of nine books dealing with the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Though substantial in content, Carson’s detailed reviews will foster careful thought and perspective in those who are relatively new to the debates surrounding biblical inspiration and authority.

This volume is a diverse collection that will prove to be a helpful resource to both seasoned pastors and scholars and those who are just starting serious study of the Bible.

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Part 1: Essays

1. Approaching the Bible

          - What the Bible Is

          - How to Interpret the Bible

2. Recent Developments in the Doctrine of Scripture

          - Revisionist Historiography

          - Focus on the Phenomena of the Bible

          - Debates over Various Terms

          - Uncritical Attitudes toward Literary and Other Tools

          - Sensitivity to “Propositions” and “Literary Genre”

          - The New Hermeneutic and Problems of Epistemology

          - Discounting the Concursive Theory

          - The Diminishing Authority of the Scriptures in the Churches

3. Unity and Diversity in the New Testament: The Possibility of Systematic Theology

          - Statement of the Problem

          - Working Definitions

          - Critique

          - Positive Reflections

          - Conclusion

4. Redaction Criticism: On the Legitimacy and Illegitimacy of a Literary Tool

          - The Development of Redaction Criticism

          - Common Criticisms Leveled against Redaction Criticism

          - Two Examples

          - Suggested Guidelines for the Use of Redaction Criticism

          - Appended Note

5. Is the Doctrine of Claritas Scripturae Still Relevant Today?

          - Historical Summary

          - The Contemporary Challenge

          - A Preliminary Response

Part 2: Reviews

6. Three Books on the Bible: A Critical Review

          - William J. Abraham, The Divine Inspiration of Holy Scripture (1981)

          - James Barr, The Scope and Authority of the Bible (1980)

          - I. Howard Marshall, Biblical Inspiration (1982)

7. Three More Books on the Bible: A Critical Review

          - John Webster, Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch (2003)

          - Peter Enns, Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament (2005)

          - N.T. Wright, The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture (2005)

8. Review of Jeffrey L. Sheler, Is the Bible True? How Modern Debates and Discoveries Affirm the Essence of the Scriptures (1999)

9. Review of Alan G. Padgett and Patrick R. Keifert, eds., But Is It All True? The Bible and the Question of Truth (2006)

10. Review of Roland Boer, Rescuing the Bible (2007)

336pp. Hardcover.