Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration Interpretation (Christian Foundations, Book 2)

Review "Holy Scripture could well represent the high point of evangelicalism's dialogue with modern skepticism." -- The Covenant Quarterly Voted one of Christianity Today's Books of the YearIn Holy Scripture, Donald G. Bloesch sets out the pivotal evangelical doctrines of the Bible's revelation, inspiration and interpretation. Striving to "defend the orthodox evangelical faith from its friends as well as its enemies," he provocatively argues against both evangelical rationalism and liberal experientialism. And he proposes the alternative of biblical evangelicalism--which sees Scripture as the written Word of God but stresses that it becomes the living Word of God only through the illumination of the Holy Spirit.In dialogue with Martin Luther, John Calvin, P. T. Forsyth, Karl Barth and Emil Brunner, Bloesch's Holy Scripture examines the implications of biblical authority for the 21st century. It surveys the role of the Bible as seen within the Bible itself and as that role has unfolded through centuries of Christian tradition. It also explains and critiques many highly contested issues, such as the value of biblical criticism, the meaning of myth, the plethora of hermeneutical options and the nature of truth. Review "Bloesch argues convincingly for a theology of Word and Spirit, not of rationalism or mysticism. Like Luther and Calvin, Forsyth and Barth, his mentors, Bloesch believes that the power of the Word of God creates its own hearing. Christologically centered and biblically rooted, Bloesch is in continual dialogue with theologians past and present. He states that his desire in [A Theology of Word Spirit] is to produce 'an enlivening and liberating orthodoxy,' and he has succeeded." -- Robert K. Johnston, Fuller Theological Seminary About the Author Donald G. Bloesch (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is professor of theology emeritus at Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He has written numerous books, including Essentials of Evangelical Theology, The Future of Evangelical Christianity, The Struggle of Prayer and Freedom for Obedience. He is also a past president of the Midwest Division of the American Theological Society.