Ancient Word, Changing Worlds: The Doctrine of Scripture in a Modern Age Paperback March 10, 2009

by Stephen J. Nichols

Belief in the Bible as God’s authoritative revelation to humanity forms the bedrock of the Christian faith, laying the groundwork for nearly everything in the practice of theology. For the last 150 years or so, this doctrine has been put under the microscope of the modern age, with focused attention—and criticism—falling on three main subject the authority of Scripture, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the interpretation of Scripture.Ancient Word, Changing Worlds tells the story of these developments in the doctrine of Scripture in the modern age, combining in one volume both narrative chapters and chapters devoted to primary source materials. This new genre of historical theology will appeal to general readers, who will be drawn in by the book’s prose style, and students, who will benefit from features like timelines, charts, explanations of key terms, and introductions and explanatory notes for the primary source documents.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Scripture, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Stephen J. Nichols (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries. Previously, he served as research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College. He is an editor (with Justin Taylor) of the Theologians on the Christian Life series and is the author of several books, including The Reformation, For Us and for Our Salvation, The Church History ABCs, and Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life.

Reviews

[Ryan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that lays out the arguments for inspiration/inerrancy/interpretation. Would recommend for anyone looking to dive deeper into these doctrines and what they are about. The authors seem to be partial towards inerrancy and verbal plenary inspiration which in my opinion was helpful. It may be hard to read big chunks of this book at once and be sure to consult a dictionary while reading. Overall a great book that makes me want to read my Bible more and helps me understand other people’s understanding of Scripture 👍🏼

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent, concise overview of inspiration, inerrancy, and interpretation from about the mid-nineteenth century through the time of publication. There's just enough detail to basically understand the arguments, but not quite as much detail (especially about Barth) as I would have liked. The consideration of postmodernism remains very, very surfacey—about a paragraph to explain Derrida!

[Carley English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little dry, but makes good arguments for inspiration, inerrancy, and interpretation of scripture. First chapter in each section talks through the views and arguments followed by a chapter of different believers and denominations views on the topic.

[Anna Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t think it’s worth the read. Helpful if you want to know the debates surrounding inspiration and inerrancy throughout the decade. Not very helpful if you want tangible definitions of what they are or the implications those doctrines have.

[Aletheia Weisz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to be biased towards inerrancy, so arguments against aren't really presented well. It is a pretty good introduction into a few concepts, but nothing so deep.

[Nathan Deck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Rather technical so I had to read it in small chunks, but the inclusion of large sections of quotes helps the reader understand arguments from both sides of the issue.

[Arni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concise overview of the doctrine of Scripture in the modern age. Loved especially how they included a representative sample of primary sources.

[A.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

[The following review was written for a class. If you have suggestions on how to improve it please let me know. It is not due until May of 2011.]

Ancient Word, Changing Worlds is a survey of recent evangelical theological battles regarding the doctrine of Scripture. The book is divided into three main sections, each two chapters long, that cover the “inspiration,” “inerrancy,” and “interpretation” of Scripture. In the first chapter of each section Nichols and Brandt tell the story of the theological debates within the American evangelical church regarding the given issue of that section. Chapter 1 begins with a discussion on B.B. Warfield and his seminal writings on inspiration (circa 1915) and chapter six (or the end of the third section) brings the reader right up to the present day.

Another element of the format worth noting: the first chapter of each section is an historical survey, citing specific theologians and specific writings or speeches by them. The second chapter of each section then excerpts large chunks of these important writings and sermons. This reviewer found it to be a delightful way to learn about a nearly one hundred year old debate in a short amount of time. By the time one gets to reading the source material in the second chapter in each section one has a much clearer understanding of why the source material matters.

Nichols and Brandt did not hide their bias toward the inerrancy of Scripture and other more conservative (if the reviewer may be pardoned for using such a loaded term) theological views. They do not offer an objective history here, nor do they bring an airtight argument for inerrancy, but rather an understated, but not silent, opinion.

This reviewer’s conclusions do not align with Nichols and Brandt, or with (evidently) large swaths of evangelical scholarship. This book was not “fun” to read, but painful. Asking whether the Bible is “inerrant” or not and then arguing about how to interpret scripture as a result of inerrancy is asking the wrong questions. Reading about brothers in Christ voting each other out of various organizations was upsetting. “Inspiration” is a doctrine unavoidably discussed and (for this reviewer) easily embraced. But “inerrancy”? Wrong-headed discussions do not prompt warm answers.

On a positive note, this book (perhaps inadvertently) also opens up new areas in the discussion on the “preservation” of Scripture. That was indeed, a blessing.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do theologians mean when they use the terms inerrancy, inspiration, and interpretation when it comes to Scripture? This book tells how the meaning of these three terms has developed through history, and how the ancient words of Scripture speak to our modern, changing world. The format was unique...the first three chapters delved into the three terms, then each subsequent chapter delved into historical writings from across the centuries by those involved in the dialogue/debate/discussion over Scripture. These excerpts represent all sides of the debate, expressing the differing viewpoints in the very words of those holding each view. Interspersed with the excerpts is further commentary and explanation by the author. I especially enjoyed the section on interpretation. An appendix contains the text of several key documents on Scripture, including the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. Unique, informative, and thought-provoking.

[Jennifer Layte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a class, but I'm really glad I did. it has a bias for inerrancy and infallibility in the Christian Bible (as do I), but it well lays out both sides of the arguments and the main points of the history of the debate(s) about Scripture's authority.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This particular book has a lot of good incite and information. While most books by this are not hard reads, this one can be more dense than his others...