Before doctrine can be built, Scripture must be heard.
Systematic Theology: Scripture Defines Scripture - Volume 1: The Doctrine of Scripture is a serious, Scripture-driven study of the Bible itself: what Scripture is, why it matters, and how it must govern every doctrine of the Christian faith.
This volume stands on its own as a complete study of bibliology, the doctrine of Scripture. It is written for pastors, teachers, Bible students, and serious Christians who want to understand the authority, truthfulness, sufficiency, and interpretation of the written Word of God.
At the same time, this book also serves as the foundation for the full 24-volume Systematic Theology: Scripture Defines Scripture series. Before studying the doctrines of God, creation, man, sin, Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, covenants, Israel, the church, prophecy, judgment, and the Christian life, the first question must be settled:
Has God spoken, and how must His Word be handled?
In this volume, Jeff C. Edwards examines major doctrines and issues related to Scripture, including:
- Revelation and the written Word of God
- Inspiration, authority, inerrancy, and infallibility
- Canon, preservation, manuscripts, and translation
- The clarity, necessity, and sufficiency of Scripture
- Context, progressive revelation, and the whole counsel of God
- Literal meaning, figures of speech, symbols, types, and patterns
- Prophecy, fulfillment, and Scripture-governed interpretation
- The danger of tradition, experience, philosophy, or system ruling over the Bible
- The principle that Scripture interprets Scripture
The Doctrine of Scripture is not a light devotional overview or a detached academic survey. It is a full biblical treatment of the Word of God and its authority over all doctrine. Its purpose is to call the reader back to Scripture itself, to let the Bible define its own words and categories, and to recover the reverent posture God's Word requires.
Tradition may serve. Experience may testify. Philosophy may raise questions. Systems may organize. But none of them may rule over the written Word of God.
Every doctrine must finally answer one question:
What hath God said?
This volume begins there.
