Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity

“Sola Scriptura” was one of the central tenants of the Protestant Reformation. Literally, it means “Scripture Alone,” not ironically the title of this book. James White has written a unique treatise on an issue that is heavily under fire in today’s world that harkens back to this principle that the reformers understood: that the Christian faith rests finally on the Bible. In the days of Martin Luther and John Calvin, these men were fighting against the traditions of the papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. At the time, the Catholic tradition had added numerous doctrines to the Christian faith that are nowhere to be found in scripture. Because of this, the reformers saw that the Church needed to return to the Bible as the sole agent of what is to guide the Church through the murky waters of existence. James White has rightly recognized that we are in a time that needs to hear this message more urgently than ever. With attacks from liberal theologians, the media, the uneducated, and the proponents of the sexual revolution, we too are in an age where we need to return to the idea of sola scriptura.I had to read Dr. White’s book as part of my Systematic Theology I class. In this class, we discuss the prolegomena of theology, bibliology, and theology proper. Much of what is covered in this really vast subject of bibliology (in theological terms) is present in subsequent lectures. Therefore, this text is not for those who seek to understand all the nuances of bibliology. For a more comprehensive text, I’d recommend a book I read last year by Norman Geisler, “From God to Us.” But what Dr. White neglects is in terms of the complicated issues of textual criticism (among other more academic considerations), which is the practice of examining manuscripts to locate the most accurate among all the various manuscripts we have from the 2nd century onward. The goal of this book is much less academic, but not less smart. Dr. White himself in the preface describes this book as a “passionate introduction” to bibliology. So if you’re looking for a bite sized grasp on the inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture, this is your book.The Bible is central to the Christian because it follows this pattern of logic: if there is a God, then we would only know Him if He has revealed Himself to us; God has revealed Himself to us in the form of the Bible; because the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself, it must be critical to study and know this text in order for us to know God and what He desires. This is why those who reject Christianity often attack scripture first: if they denigrate the foundation of the revelation of God, who He is and what He asks of us and most importantly, how to get right with Him, then the whole system collapses onto itself. Dr. White says, “Almost every denial of biblical sufficiency finds its root in a misunderstanding of, or more likely, a direct rejection of, the true nature of scripture” (White, Kindle Location 623). The opponents of Christianity must first attack the basis of Christian belief in order to dismiss the whole system. After all, if God’s revelation to man is flawed or wrong, then it would be likely to assume that this god really isn’t god. So this is an important point that we, as Christians, get right; we DO believe that God’s revelation is correct and that He is God. Most surprisingly, even those who would recognize the possibility of God, as liberal theologians do, there has been a tendency in recent years for even this group of people to deny the sufficiency of scripture. Starting with the liberal theologian movement at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th with Karl Barth and the neo orthodox movement, scripture is in no doubt under fire from those who even profess there is a god.Dr. White proceeds to debunk a lot of myths concerning the Bible. His first chapter is entitled “Three Arguments Related to Scriptural Sufficiency.” After setting the groundwork of what the Bible is, Dr. White moves onto what the Bible is not. In chapter two, he speaks about how definitions that we have coined in the context of the study of bibliology is where 85% of the errors related to the Bible come from. One of the most interesting of these objections is the inerrancy debate. In chapter 4, Dr. White addresses this question and he makes an excellent point: “Without a firm foundation, a discernable standard, an unchanging and unchangeable rule, we are left to construct a theology that can ascend no higher than majority opinion, that cannot claim divine authority (though this may not keep such a system from claiming such), and that can only replace the divine consistency of Scripture with its own suppose inherent authority” (White, Kindle Location 1027). There has to be a fixed point in which we receive truth that cannot be moved, or else we merely cater to opinion. For a good portion of the book, Dr. White responds to allegations against the Bible and it’s sufficiency. He address such topics as: the role of tradition, the “Gospel of Thomas”, the canon of scripture, modern day accusations that one can receive revelation from God, and allegations of contradiction.This is a necessary book in our day and age. While not comprehensive in scope, it fulfills its duty in packing a punch to those objections that laymen, seminarians, and Church goers can appreciate and utilize. One of my most favorite quotes from this book says,“Church history has repeatedly and clearly proven one thing: Once the highest view of Scripture is abandoned by any theologian, group, denomination, or church, the downhill slide in both its theology and practice is inevitable” (White, Kindle Location 1000)Indeed, true words that need to be heard.

Loved it.The following quotations prove that the Fathers considered the Scriptures as both sufficient and the highest authority in the church.Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book III.We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.Athanasius; Against the Heathen, I:3.The holy and inspired Scriptures are fully sufficient for the proclamation of the truth.Athanasius, De Synodis.Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture.John Chrysostom, Homily 8 On Repentance and the Church, p. 118, vol. 96 TFOTC.Regarding the things I say, I should supply even the proofs, so I will not seem to rely on my own opinions, but rather, prove them with Scripture, so that the matter will remain certain and steadfast.Gregory of Nyssa, On the Holy Trinity.For if custom is to avail for proof of soundness, we too, surely, may advance our prevailing custom; and if they reject this, we are surely not bound to follow theirs. Let the inspired Scripture, then, be our umpire, and the vote of truth will surely be given to those whose dogmas are found to agree with the Divine words.Gregory of Nyssa, On the Soul and the Resurrection.We are not entitled to such licence, I mean that of affirming what we please; we make the Holy Scriptures the rule and the measure of every tenet; we necessarily fix our eyes upon that, and approve that alone which may be made to harmonize with the intention of those writings.Basil, The Morals, p. 204, vol 9 TFOTCWhat is the mark of a faithful soul? To be in these dispositions of full acceptance on the authority of the words of Scripture, not venturing to reject anything nor making additions. For, if `all that is not of faith is sin' as the Apostle says, and `faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,' everything outside Holy Scripture, not being of faith, is sin.Basil, On the Holy Spirit, 7.We are not content simply because this is the tradition of the Fathers. What is important is that the Fathers followed the meaning of the Scripture.Basil, Moralia, 72:1.The hearers taught in the Scriptures ought to test what is said by teachers and accept that which agrees with the Scriptures but reject that which is foreign.Augustine, Contra litteras Petiliani, Bk 3, ch. 6.If anyone preaches either concerning Christ or concerning His church or concerning any other matter which pertains to our faith and life; I will not say, if we, but what Paul adds, if an angel from heaven should preach to you anything besides what you have received in the Scriptures of the Law and of the Gospels, let him be anathema.Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, IV:17.For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures.Augustine, De Unitate Ecclesiae, 10.Neither dare one agree with catholic bishops if by chance they err in anything, but the result that their opinion is against the canonical Scriptures of God.Augustine, De Unitate Ecclesiae, 3.Whatever they may adduce, and wherever they may quote from, let us rather, if we are His sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd. Therefore let us search for the church in the sacred canonical Scriptures.Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, II, 9.For among the things that are plainly laid down in Scripture are to be found all matters that concern faith and the manner of life.Augustine, De Bono Viduitatis.What more shall I teach you than what we read in the apostles? For Holy Scripture fixes the rule for our doctrine, lest we dare be wiser than we ought. Therefore I should not teach you anything else except to expound to you the words of the Teacher.Hippolytus, Against the Heresy of One Noetus, 9.There is, brethren, one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scriptures, and from no other source... so all of us who wish to practise piety will be unable to learn its practice from any other quarter than the oracles of God. Whatever things, then, the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look; and whatever things they teach, these let us learn.

This is not an easy simple book. But an important one to read for understanding Bible sufficiency of scripture.

As a Christian from Nigeria, many of arguments tackled in this book are not even mentioned in many of the churches in defence of the authority of word of God as written in scripture. That is why many professing Christians attend churches where they hold the authority of their pastors and men of God as their final authority without even realising it. The sufficiency of the word to teach, enlighten and settle all matters pertaining to God and godly living is something that many do not even think about. If theology was taught more, and the scripture held to the highest esteem, there would be a reduction in church attendance at first, but the Christians that would remain would be stronger and do more for the advancement of the kingdom that the multitude of lukewarm Christians that is rife in the country, in Africa, and indeed the erstwhile strong Christian European communities. The authority, inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture must be taught so that many in the churches today can begin to identify the truth amidst the haze of postmodern reasoning. Pastors and teachers in the churches need to grab hold of this book and let the truth of it sink in long enough to change many of their messages from what they think to what God is saying, as He has spoken to us through scripture. Dr White has sparked a hunger for the word in me, and a love for the word of God such that I can go to the word to seek what God is saying rather than what I want it to say.Great work!

As someone who loves Apologetics I really enjoyed this book, it has some clearly laid out resources I can use as well as plenty of information that is 'easily digestible.'You'll read about the arguments for Early Scriptures, who decided what went into the New Testament and what the Early Church Fathers thought on the subject as well as some other interesting factoids.I prefer this book to James White's 'King James' book.Worth buying? Absolutely, even if you think you know the above subjects, you can always glean more nuggets and I enjoy the chronological way J White goes about this. Worth buying? Yes! in my humble opinion.

This is very insightful using real conversations to show each viewpoint regarding scripture and tradition. This is not a deep dive so it is for the lay person but this does not lesson the impact this book has showing why Sola Scriptura is a vital foundation to truly honoring scripture.

A detailed book about why and how we need to live by the Scriptures.

James White is a valuable asset to the worldwide church- His reasoning is logical, gracious and clear.

The principle of sola scriptura is fundamental for holding fast to orthodox, biblical doctrines found in Scripture. It cannot be emphasized enough the importance of adhering to the principles of the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scipture not only in the formation of our faith but also in its defense against false doctrines and attacks. This book will be extremely helpful for those who are willing to examine their beliefs concerning Scripture and be encouraged to hold fast to a high view of the Holy Scriptures.