Barrett - Gods word alone-- the authority of scripture: what the reformers taught ... and why it still matters

Gods Word Alone is both a fitting tribute to its Reformation sola namesake and a constructive contribution to the doctrine of Scripture in its own right. Sola Scriptura has become something of a whipping concept in contemporary theology, but Barretts book goes a long way to correcting modern and postmodern caricatures of the doctrine. I particularly appreciated the chapters on the Reformers own understanding of Scripture as the supreme and final authority for the church and how this is rooted in its being the only wholly reliable authority, a consequence of its nature as divinely authored and inspired. Barrett here covers all the theological basesbiblical, historical, and systematicas one might expect of a home run.

K EVIN J. V ANHOOZER , Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Perhaps the greatest crisis in the evangelical world today is the loss of any meaningful commitment to the functional authority of Scripture. While lip service is paid to biblical inspiration and perhaps even some sense of the Bibles infallibility, the final, functional authority of inerrant Scripture to govern both our beliefs and behavior has gradually disappeared. This alone makes Matthew Barretts book on sola Scriptura so essential to the church in our day. If the Bible, and the Bible alone, isnt our final and determinative authority, the church will have lost its bearings and be cast hopelessly adrift on the sea of personal subjectivity. It is a massive understatement to say this book is much needed today. I cannot recommend it too highly.

S AM S TORMS , Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK

The 500th anniversary of Luthers nailing the ninety-five theses to the door of the chapel of the Wittenberg Castle provides an eminently suitable occasion to remind ourselves of one of the five solas of the Reformation: sola Scriptura, Scripture alone. Matthew Barrett takes his readers through some of the controversies surrounding the Bible that have arisen across this last half millennium and competently demonstrates the relevance of the doctrine of Scripture in our day. In the final analysis, the issue is revelation: What is the locus of Gods gracious self-disclosureGod generously giving up his privacy, as Carl Henry used to say?

D. A. C ARSON , Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Matthew Barretts Gods Word Alone is a comprehensive discussion of the nature and role of Scripture. He deals with the churchs historical controversies, especially during the Reformation period, with the place of Gods speech during the history of redemption, and with all the topics of current discussion including inerrancy, clarity, and sufficiency. Barretts knowledge is very broad and his position thoroughly biblical. I pray that God will give it a wide distribution.

J OHN M. F RAME , J. D. Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando

The Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura teaches that the Bible is the only infallible and sufficient rule for Christian faith and practice. Matthew Barretts new study provides persuasive evidence that this doctrine is firmly rooted not only in the Reformation but in the early church and in Scripture itself. In very readable prose, Barrett graciously provides thoughtful and nuanced responses to the objections of critics of this doctrine. Moreover, he demonstrates that the doctrine of biblical inerrancy has resided as a central teaching of the Western churches since the patristic era. This is a welcomed and much-needed resource for Christians in a day in which much confusion exists regarding the doctrines of sola Scriptura and biblical inerrancy. For this reason, the volume belongs in the libraries not only of teachers, seminary students, and pastors but laypersons as well. Highly recommended.

J OHN D. W OODBRIDGE , Research Professor of Church History and Christian Thought, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois

This bookwhat a feast! Appetizing opening chapters recount how the Bibles authority came to be trashed in the modern West, even in many church circles. Then comes the main course: how Gods saving work and presence have always intertwined with his written Word. Lastly, dessert: tasty slices of Scriptures truth, clarity, and sufficiency. A world awash in error and self-destruction cries out for meaning and direction. This book shows why skepticism of Scripture is a bad idea, and why devoting ourselves to studying, living, and spreading the Word of God writteninspired, inerrant, and authoritativeholds such promise, for this world and the next.

R OBERT W. Y ARBROUGH , Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

Matthew Barretts book on the authority of Scripture is a welcome addition to the growing number of recent books on Scripture. I loved the richly theological texture of the book. From beginning to end we are treated to a deep and careful reflection on what is entailed in the recognition of Scripture as the Word of God written. The Bibles own teaching rightly has a prominent place. The teaching of the Reformers is appropriately a particular interest, given the series in which this volume appears. Modern and postmodern challenges, and the detailed, informed responses that have been made to them, are given due attention. Yet Barrett keeps drawing the lines of connection to the person and character of the God whose word Scripture is. Assaults on the Word of God go back to the garden of Eden. Ultimately they each involve an assault upon the person, character, and purpose of God even when this is not the conscious intent of those involved. Here is an articulate, informed, edifying, and persuasive account of why the Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura should be taught, celebrated, and defendednot only against those who would deny it but also against those who claim to hold it while perhaps defining it in a way that unwittingly exalts the individual (Scripture alone doesnt mean me alone). I expect to be recommending this book often.

M ARK D T HOMPSON , Principal, Moore Theological College, Sydney

Without belief in Scripture alone as our supreme and trustworthy authority, the very faith of the church must totter. Dr. Barrett has mounted an impressive defence of the key Reformation doctrine of Scripture, demonstrating just how vital it remains today. This book will do great good in grounding the faith of a new generation.

M ICHAEL R EEVES , President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, Oxford, England

Sometimes the doctrine of Scripture is treated as separate from the other doctrines of Christianityas a sort of preamble to the faith. Helpfully, Barrett draws in the Bibles own Trinitarian, covenantal, and salvation-historical themes to offer a persuasive alternative to various attempts to evade scriptural authority. Its an argument, to be sure, but also an edifying essay that helps us to understand what were doing when we submit our reason to Gods judging and saving speech.

M ICHAEL H ORTON , J. G. Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author of The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way

I welcome this fresh study of the formal principle of the Reformationthe belief that Gods written Word is the inspired norm by which all other religious authorities and traditions must be judged. Evangelicals are gospel people and Bible people, and this book shows why adherence to the latter is crucial for the advance of the former.