The Doctrine of Scripture

What is the Bible? Why does the church thank God for “the word of the Lord” when the Bible is read aloud in public worship? What does it mean to identify these ancient texts as inspired Holy Scripture? What theological beliefs and teachings ground and govern the Christian confession that the living Christ speaks his living word in and through the human words of David and Isaiah, Peter and Paul? 

This course will explore these and other questions about the doctrine of Scripture. Our method will be primarily theological, not historical—that is, we will look first and foremost at these texts’ ultimate origin in the Spirit of God, not where they came from in time and space. Together, we will explore the theological source, nature, authority, and purposes of Holy Scripture, and the implications of these realities for how today’s church should receive, interpret, and treasure the word of God in its life, liturgy, and mission to the world.