The Divine Spiration Of Scripture

The doctrine of Scripture is of vital importance for Christians, and continues to be debated by theologians. Furthermore, differing views can be found among those who describe themselves as 'evangelical'.

A. T. B. McGowan engages with the issues, debates and terminology, and reconstructs and re-expresses an evangelical doctrine for the current context.

First, he reconsiders the place of Scripture in theological systems, and argues that it should be relocated, in order to emphasize that it is an aspect of God's self-revelation and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, he revisits the vocabulary used to articulate the doctrine, with some proposals for new terminology.

Thirdly, he examines the important differences between two evangelical positions, 'inerrancy' and 'infallibility', with some further proposals for strengthening an evangelical doctrine.

Finally, he addresses two key issues – the relationship between Scripture and our creeds and confessions, and how Scripture is preached in the context of the life of the church.

This stimulating and informative volume offers a valuable contribution to our understanding and articulation of the nature of Scripture and its significance for today.

1. Introduction
   The locus of Scripture reconsidered
   The vocabulary of Scripture reconsidered
   The doctrine of Scripture reconsidered
   The use of Scripture in the church reconsidered

2. Reconstructing the doctrine
   Introduction
   Revelation
   The work of the Holy Spirit
   Reconstructing the vocabulary

3. The Enlightenment and liberal theology
   Introduction
   The Enlightenment
   Liberal theology
   The response to liberal theology
   Conclusion

4. Fundamentalism and inerrancy
   Introduction
   Warfield and Hodge
   Fundamentalism
   The modern inerrancy debate
   Arguments against inerrancy
   The rationalist implication
   Rejecting the incarnational model
   Conclusion

5. Infallibility: an evangelical alternative
   Introduction
   An evangelical alternative
   James Orr
   Orr and the Dutchmen
   Herman Bavinck
   Bavinck’s doctrine of Scripture
   G.C. Berkouwer
   Summary
   Conclusion

6. Scripture and confession
   Introduction
   Scripture and confession
   Scripture and tradition
   Defining the relationship
   Conclusion

7. Preaching Scripture
   Introduction
   Scripture and the believer
   The preaching of Scripture
   Reformed preaching
   Application

8. Conclusion
   Summary of chapters 2-7
   Anticipating the critique
   Charting the way forward
   Conclusion

   Bibliography
   Index of names