What is your all-time favorite book on the doctrine of Scripture?

In this past October’s issue of Credo Magazine, “The Living Word,” we asked a handful of scholars what their all-time favorite book is on the doctrine of Scripture. Here is what they had to say:

The Authority and Inspiration of the Bible. By B. B. Warfield.

It is enormously difficult to choose one book on scripture over another, but I choose Warfield because it is a classic, and it is a classic for a reason. Too often people note classics in footnotes but don’t read them. So, take up and read!

Thomas Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean, Scripture and Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God. By J. I. Packer.

My favourite book on the doctrine of scripture is J. I. Packer’s ‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God, still going strong after 50 years. The beauty of the book is that it sets the Warfieldian doctrine of scripture in a proper theological context, in prose that Jim Packer has become renowned for.  It offers wisdom on authority, on faith and reason, tradition and much else. So the careful reader may gain a theological education from it. As a student I first read it through avidly when it was originally published and have turned to it many times since

Paul Helm, J.I. Packer Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Regent College

Holy Scripture. By G. C. Berkouwer.

While I have significant differences with Berkouwer’s doctrine of Scripture, I regard his method of doing theology as superb.  I would call it a responsible theology—responsible above all to the biblical revelation, but also in dialogue with both the early church and the heritage of the Reformation (in his case, Dutch Reformed).  Berkouwer does not soar as high as Barth, but he writes with greater precision and clarity.  And his doctrine of Scripture takes seriously the Protestant concerns on the crucial matter of Scripture and Tradition, a topic too little attended by most American evangelicals.

Timothy George, Dean and Professor of Divinity History and Doctrine at Beeson Divinity School

“Fern Seed and Elephants.” By C. S. Lewis

My favourite work on the doctrine of Scripture is “Fern seed and elephants,” by C. S. Lewis. The reason is that Lewis was a seasoned literary critic who saw right through the pretensions of modern liberal theology and attacked them with an authority that only someone who really knows his subject can command. What is more, his essay is short, sweet and readable, which makes a pleasant change from so much that is written on the subject.

Gerald Bray, Research Professor of Divinity History and Doctrine at Beeson Divinity School

Christ and the Bible. By John Wenham. 

The ultimate authority in the life of the Christian is Jesus Christ himself. So, believers need to have the same understanding of Scripture that Jesus has. Wenham’s book shows that submitting to Jesus means submitting to the inspiration, authority, clarity, and inerrancy, of the Bible.

K. Erik Thoennes, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies and Chairman, Department of Undergraduate Theological Studies at Biola University, Talbot Seminary

“The Horse’s Mouth” is taken from the October issue of Credo Magazine, “The Living Word.” Read others like it!

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