The Doctrine of Scripture

by Brad East

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2021

Overview

When Holy Scripture is read aloud in the liturgy, the church confesses with joy and thanksgiving that it has heard the word of the Lord. What does it mean to make that confession? And why does it occasion praise? The doctrine of Scripture is a theological investigation into those and related questions, and this book is an exploration of that doctrine. It argues backward from the church's liturgical practice, presupposing the truth of the Christian confession: namely, that the canon does in fact mediate the living word of the risen Christ to and for his people. What must be true of the sacred texts of Old and New Testament alike for such confession, and the practices of worship in which they are embedded, to be warranted? By way of an answer, the book examines six aspects of the doctrine of Scripture: its source, nature, attributes, ends, interpretation, and authority. The result is a catholic and ecumenical presentation of the historic understanding of the Bible common to the people of God across the centuries, an understanding rooted in the church's sacred tradition, in service to the gospel, and redounding to the glory of the triune God.

Key Features

• Demonstrates what it is like to "stand under the Word of God"
• Turns aside from much modernist, critical reading of the Bbile
• Provides a modernized version of a generally classical view of Scripture’s form and function

Contents

• Source
• Nature
• Attributes
• Ends
• Interpretation
• Authority

Praise for The Doctrine of Scripture

Brad East writes about the Bible with joy, verve, and insight. His presentation is highly readable, opening the subject up to all those who want to explore a theological perspective on Scripture. His strategy of working from church practice back to the nature and qualities of the text gives us all much to ponder.

—Darren Sarisky, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Australian Catholic University

What an exciting book! East’s basic moves are recognizable: he carries forward and integrates elements of the doctrines of Scripture of Webster, Boersma, and Jenson. This would be accomplishment enough for a normal book, but East is even bolder ecumenically than the masters upon whom he builds. Without ceasing to value the Reformers, he challenges sola scriptura and the perspicacity of Scripture, and he offers a deeply Catholic account of dogma and apostolicity. This book is a rare gift—a richly comprehensive theology of Scripture that lays the foundation for real ecumenical breakthroughs.

—Matthew Levering, Mundelein Seminary

It would be hard to imagine a more winsome and helpful introduction to the Christian doctrine of Scripture than this. In an area that has been a minefield of controversy, Brad East writes with clarity yet without polemic, with ecumenical sympathy yet without failing to take a clear position on all the important and contested issues. Whatever your convictions about the Bible and how it should be read, you will benefit from this book.

—Bruce D. Marshall, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Product Details

• Title: The Doctrine of Scripture
• Author: Brad East
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 228
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Bible—Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible—Evidences, authority, etc; The Bible—Inspiration; Authority—Religious aspects
• Resource ID: LLS:DCTRNSCRPTR
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-02-02T20:44:12Z

About Brad East

Brad East is associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University. He is also the author of The Church: A Guide to the People of God, The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context, and The Doctrine of Scripture. His essays have been published in numerous academic journals as well as The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Commonweal, First Things, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Point, and more.