Light in a Dark Place: The Doctrine of Scripture

What we believe about the Bible is foundational to every part of life. Scripture is the very Word of God, the final authority for all of theology, the governing source of all other doctrines. In the latest volume of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series, theology professor John S. Feinberg has written a landmark work on the doctrine of Scripture, offering a robust, serious treatment of topics such as revelation, the canon, inerrancy, infallibility, sufficiency, preservation, and more—all with the goal of helping readers cherish, obey, and be transformed by what God has spoken in his Word.

Part of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.

800 pages

Introduction

Part One: Creating Scripture

1. Light Unveiled: The Doctrine of Revelation
2. Light Unveiled (II): Special Revelation
3. Light Written: The Inspiration of Scripture
4. Light Written (II): Other Biblical Testimony about Scripture’s Inspiration
5. Light Written (III): Theological Formulation of the Doctrine of Inspiration

Part Two: Characteristics of Scripture

6. True Light: Inerrancy and Infallibility
7. True Light (II): Objections to Inerrancy
8. True Light (III): More Objections to Inerrancy
9. Divine Commanding Light: The Authority of Scripture

Part Three: Setting the Boundaries

10. Light Canonized: The Doctrine of Canonicity
11. Light Canonized (II): Scripture on Canonicity
12. Light Canonized (III): Old Testament Canonicity
13. Light Canonized (IV): New Testament Canonicity

Part Four: The Usefulness of Scripture

14. Light Embraced: The Doctrine of Illumination
15. Clear, Understandable Light: The Doctrine of Perspicuity/Clarity
16. Living, Powerful Light: The Animation of Scripture
17. Light Enough: The Sufficiency of Scripture
18. Enduring Light: The Preservation of Scripture

Conclusion: Light in a Dark Place: Does It Make a Difference?

“John Feinberg has written a splendid work that brilliantly expounds and winsomely defends a classical evangelical doctrine of Scripture. Readers will discover an engaging and comprehensive exploration of topics such as revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, authority, and canonicity, among others. This thoughtful and clearly written volume will certainly be welcomed by students, scholars, pastors, and church leaders alike. It is a genuine joy and privilege to recommend this most recent addition to the outstanding Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.”
—David S. Dockery, President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Building on a lifetime of scholarship, John Feinberg provides us with a superb exploration of the ‘perfections’ of Scripture for a new generation. This is a wise, well-informed, and very important summary of the normative source of faith and practice. What a gift!”
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Justification (New Studies in Dogmatics)

“In 1978, a young theologian, John Feinberg, signed the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, a watershed document for contemporary evangelicalism. Forty years later, as a veteran scholar, he makes another significant contribution to the evangelical doctrine of Scripture, extending his treatment beyond its inerrancy to include inspiration, authority, canonicity, clarity, power, sufficiency, preservation, and intersection with the work of the Holy Spirit. Light in a Dark Place is a must-read for scholars, pastors, believers, and skeptics alike!”
—Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Elder, Sojourn Community Church; author, Sojourners and Strangers; Roman Catholic Theology and Practice; and Historical Theology

“The doctrine of Scripture serves as the foundational doctrine of Christian theology. Apart from God’s triune self-disclosure in Scripture, which results in a fully authoritative and reliable Word, everything we say about God, ourselves, and the world is ultimately left unwarranted. For this reason, every generation needs a robust and faithful exposition and defense of Scripture as God’s Word written in light of current challenges and debates. From a seasoned theologian who leaves no stone unturned, Light in a Dark Place wonderfully meets this need. In this volume, John Feinberg discusses the most significant points of the doctrine of Scripture and tackles some of the toughest issues the doctrine faces today with precision and care. This book will serve as a superb resource for today’s church, and it demands a careful reading and embrace of its faithful elucidation of Scripture as God’s most holy Word. I highly commend this work.”
—Stephen J. Wellum, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, God the Son Incarnate; Kingdom through Covenant; and Christ from Beginning to End