Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Review of ‘The Divine Authenticity of Scripture’ by A. T. B. McGowan – Extended Article

A. T. B. McGowan’s The Divine Authenticity of Scripture: Retrieving an Evangelical Heritage contributes to evangelical discussions on the doctrine of Scripture (9). According to McGowan, evangelicals are in need of renewed examination of our theological language so that we might “clarify precisely what we mean when we speak about Scripture as the Word of … Continue reading Review of ‘The Divine Authenticity of Scripture’ by A. T. B. McGowan – Extended Article

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Scripture, Tradition, and the Question of Authority

We affirm that the Scriptures are the supreme written norm by which God binds the conscience, and that the authority of the Church is subordinate to that of Scripture.  We deny that church creeds, councils, or declarations have authority greater than or equal to the authority of the Bible. The second article of the Chicago … Continue reading Scripture, Tradition, and the Question of Authority

Derek J. Brown Book Reviews

Review of God's Word in Human Words by Kenton Sparks

Kenton Sparks, professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University—an evangelical school by confession—has recently offered his contribution to an evangelical doctrine of Scripture in God’s Word in Human Words: An Evangelical Appropriation of Critical Biblical Scholarship (GWHW). As the title of the book suggests and as he states clearly in the introduction, Sparks situates himself within … Continue reading Review of God's Word in Human Words by Kenton Sparks

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Is Inerrancy a Recent Theological Invention?

It is sometimes argued by evangelical non-inerrantists that the doctrine of inerrancy is a recent theological innovation that finds little to no precedent in the church.  The early church fathers, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Bavink, and Kuyper, they claim, all held to a view of Scripture that was far different than what inerrantists advance today.  Furthermore, it isn't until we … Continue reading Is Inerrancy a Recent Theological Invention?

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Inerrancy and Church History: The Post-Reformation and Modern Period

As I noted briefly in the last two articles, the church has always, generally speaking, held to the idea of an error-free Bible.  This was true during the early church, the middle ages, and the Reformation. In the early 1600s, however, significant changes began to take shape in Western intellectual culture. Developments in philosophy would dislodge Christian … Continue reading Inerrancy and Church History: The Post-Reformation and Modern Period

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Inerrancy and Church History: Calvin and Luther

Both Martin Luther and John Calvin spoke often of their view of Scripture. Luther’s understanding of biblical inerrancy, like his predecessors (in the early church and middle ages), grew from his belief in the divine inspiration of Scripture. As Lutheran historian Robert Preus summarizes, “Luther’s notion of biblical infallibility arose from his firm belief that … Continue reading Inerrancy and Church History: Calvin and Luther