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The Doctrine of Scripture
When Holy Scripture is read aloud in the liturgy, the church confesses with joy and thanksgiving that it has heard the word of the Lord. What does it mean to make that confession? And why does it occasion praise? The doctrine of Scripture is a theological investigation into those and related questions, and this book is an exploration of that doctrine. It argues backward from the church’s liturgical practice, presupposing the truth of the Christian confession: namely, that the canon does in fact mediate the living word of the risen Christ to and for his people. What must be true of the sacred texts of Old and New Testament alike for such confession, and the practices of worship in which they are embedded, to be warranted? By way of an answer, the book examines six aspects of the doctrine of Scripture: its source, nature, attributes, ends, interpretation, and authority. The result is a catholic and ecumenical presentation of the historic understanding of the Bible common to the people of God across the centuries, an understanding rooted in the church’s sacred tradition, in service to the gospel, and redounding to the glory of the triune God.
228 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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111 people want to read
About the author
Brad East
7 books67 followersBrad East (PhD, Yale University) is assistant professor of theology in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is the editor of Robert Jenson’s The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture (Oxford University Press, 2019) and the author of The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021) and The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context (Eerdmans, 2022). His articles have been published in Modern Theology, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Scottish Journal of Theology, Journal of Theological Interpretation, Anglican Theological Review, Pro Ecclesia, Political Theology, Restoration Quarterly, and The Other Journal; his essays and reviews have appeared in The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Comment, Commonweal, First Things, The Hedgehog Review, Living Church, Los Angeles Review of Books, Marginalia Review of Books, Mere Orthodoxy, The New Atlantis, Plough, and The Point.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 1, 2022
Summary: A concise exploration of the doctrine of scripture focusing on the church’s joyful and thankful confession, “this is the word of the Lord.”
Brad East begins this work with a striking statement: “The doctrine of Holy Scripture is a matter of joy.” He notes the practice of many churches following the reading of the scriptures to say, “The word of the Lord.” to which the congregation replies, “Thanks be to God!” East, in this work, seeks to outline the doctrine of scripture in a way that is representative of a broad swath of Christianity, working from the Canon of scripture to the Rule of Faith found in the early creeds, and the ecumenical councils.
East outlines his doctrine of scripture under six one-word chapter titles:
Source: East explores what it is we mean that scripture comes from God. He explores whether we can form our understanding of scripture from scripture, who is this God who speaks, and how do we understand the inspiration of human authors, specifically, “that the words they naturally will to write are one and the same as those which God wills them to write,” yet without human writers being mere automatons.
Nature: Of what are we speaking by the terms “Holy Scripture” or “Bible”? East would answer, “each and every instance, past, present, and future, of any or all parts of any and all versions of the texts included in the canon of the church’s Scripture.” This supports the translatability of scripture, its fecundity, apparent before my eyes in the seven English versions in front of me as I write. He discusses matters of bibliolatry, biblicism, and individualized versions of sola scriptura. He likens scripture to the offices of Christ. When it is read, it speaks prophetically, it mediates salvation to the world, and it heralds the king.
Attributes. In this chapter, East develops the apostolic necessity of scripture, given the delay in the return of Christ, the holy sufficiency of scripture to accomplish God’s purpose, the catholic clarity of scripture, that scripture’s meaning is only clearly understood with the church, particularly in light of its creeds (an argument differing from the Reformers), and the one truth of scripture to which it unerringly witnesses, making known all we need for salvation.
Ends. Ultimately, scripture guides the exiled people of God in mission toward the consummation of all things in Christ. He describes four ends within this larger picture in life of believers: befriending Christ: beatitude and conversion; following Christ: instruction and edification; imaging Christ: sanctification and perseverance; and knowing Christ: communion and contemplative delight.
Interpretation: He begins with a kind of glossary of terms used in hermeneutical discussion. A highlight of this chapter is East’s proposal that the center of interpretation ought be the worshipping church of baptized believers expectant to encounter her living Lord in both word and sacrament. Private reading, for East comes secondary to this. Also, he challenges historical-critical readings that attempt to discern authorial intent, particularly because this, through the early centuries of the church was subject to Christological readings, where the words of Moses and the prophets are understood in their fullest meaning through the life and work of Christ, a principle evident in apostolic reading of these texts. He argues that we read scripture as God’s inspired word, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as a product and gift to the church of Jesus Christ, canonically, reading these writings as a collection, and interpreted through and in consonance with the rule of faith.
Authority. Here, East discusses how the divine authority of God is mediated to us through the authority of scriptures through the offices of the church. He notes ten questions the doctrine of biblical authority raises that must be worked out in the church’s practice.
This was not a book of same old, same old verities but a thoughtful framing of the doctrine of scripture that avoids the de-supernaturalizing tendencies of modern scholarship and the extremes of bibliolatry while at the same time upholding the wondrous reality of hearing the Word of the Lord together as the people of God. He avoids dangers of privatized versions of sola scriptura as well as fleshly scholarship that fails to depend on the illuminating work of the Spirit of God. He affirms the primacy of scripture and yet the importance of testing our readings of scripture against the Rule of Faith and the readings of the church over the centuries.
For me, this was doctrine at its best, doctrine that led to doxology as I rejoiced in the God who has spoken and who has provided a record of this witness (the section on the confection reminded me of the work of God in preserving and bringing together the inspired texts that constitute scripture). It reminded me of the great drama we enact each time we gather as scripture is both read and proclaimed and under the gracious work of God’s Spirit, we are enabled to hear God speak afresh. I was reminded afresh of how we have been given in scripture all we need for life and godliness. Finally, I appreciated a book that sidesteps our contemporary polemics that often divide to formulate a doctrine of scripture faithful to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Brad East begins this work with a striking statement: “The doctrine of Holy Scripture is a matter of joy.” He notes the practice of many churches following the reading of the scriptures to say, “The word of the Lord.” to which the congregation replies, “Thanks be to God!” East, in this work, seeks to outline the doctrine of scripture in a way that is representative of a broad swath of Christianity, working from the Canon of scripture to the Rule of Faith found in the early creeds, and the ecumenical councils.
East outlines his doctrine of scripture under six one-word chapter titles:
Source: East explores what it is we mean that scripture comes from God. He explores whether we can form our understanding of scripture from scripture, who is this God who speaks, and how do we understand the inspiration of human authors, specifically, “that the words they naturally will to write are one and the same as those which God wills them to write,” yet without human writers being mere automatons.
Nature: Of what are we speaking by the terms “Holy Scripture” or “Bible”? East would answer, “each and every instance, past, present, and future, of any or all parts of any and all versions of the texts included in the canon of the church’s Scripture.” This supports the translatability of scripture, its fecundity, apparent before my eyes in the seven English versions in front of me as I write. He discusses matters of bibliolatry, biblicism, and individualized versions of sola scriptura. He likens scripture to the offices of Christ. When it is read, it speaks prophetically, it mediates salvation to the world, and it heralds the king.
Attributes. In this chapter, East develops the apostolic necessity of scripture, given the delay in the return of Christ, the holy sufficiency of scripture to accomplish God’s purpose, the catholic clarity of scripture, that scripture’s meaning is only clearly understood with the church, particularly in light of its creeds (an argument differing from the Reformers), and the one truth of scripture to which it unerringly witnesses, making known all we need for salvation.
Ends. Ultimately, scripture guides the exiled people of God in mission toward the consummation of all things in Christ. He describes four ends within this larger picture in life of believers: befriending Christ: beatitude and conversion; following Christ: instruction and edification; imaging Christ: sanctification and perseverance; and knowing Christ: communion and contemplative delight.
Interpretation: He begins with a kind of glossary of terms used in hermeneutical discussion. A highlight of this chapter is East’s proposal that the center of interpretation ought be the worshipping church of baptized believers expectant to encounter her living Lord in both word and sacrament. Private reading, for East comes secondary to this. Also, he challenges historical-critical readings that attempt to discern authorial intent, particularly because this, through the early centuries of the church was subject to Christological readings, where the words of Moses and the prophets are understood in their fullest meaning through the life and work of Christ, a principle evident in apostolic reading of these texts. He argues that we read scripture as God’s inspired word, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as a product and gift to the church of Jesus Christ, canonically, reading these writings as a collection, and interpreted through and in consonance with the rule of faith.
Authority. Here, East discusses how the divine authority of God is mediated to us through the authority of scriptures through the offices of the church. He notes ten questions the doctrine of biblical authority raises that must be worked out in the church’s practice.
This was not a book of same old, same old verities but a thoughtful framing of the doctrine of scripture that avoids the de-supernaturalizing tendencies of modern scholarship and the extremes of bibliolatry while at the same time upholding the wondrous reality of hearing the Word of the Lord together as the people of God. He avoids dangers of privatized versions of sola scriptura as well as fleshly scholarship that fails to depend on the illuminating work of the Spirit of God. He affirms the primacy of scripture and yet the importance of testing our readings of scripture against the Rule of Faith and the readings of the church over the centuries.
For me, this was doctrine at its best, doctrine that led to doxology as I rejoiced in the God who has spoken and who has provided a record of this witness (the section on the confection reminded me of the work of God in preserving and bringing together the inspired texts that constitute scripture). It reminded me of the great drama we enact each time we gather as scripture is both read and proclaimed and under the gracious work of God’s Spirit, we are enabled to hear God speak afresh. I was reminded afresh of how we have been given in scripture all we need for life and godliness. Finally, I appreciated a book that sidesteps our contemporary polemics that often divide to formulate a doctrine of scripture faithful to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
July 26, 2024
What does it mean to say that the Bible is the word of God? What is the Bible for? How should it be understood? Says who? Why? What is the nature of its authority, in theory and in practice? Authority for who? Enforced by who? For what purpose(s)? What of its historical particularities, its ambiguities, its relation to the authority of God himself, its obvious embededness in the cultures and times in which it was produced? Its being in translation?
These and a hundred other questions arise when we talk about the doctrine of Scripture. Brad East's book addresses all these things with clarity and freshness, avoiding jargon but not sacrificing substance and depth.
I don't agree with all his conclusions. I don't think his case against Sola Scriptura really flies when that doctrine is understood rightly. Despite the fact that Brad East has obviously read and thought a ton about the topic, his criticisms don't finally land.
As one example, he critiques Sola Scriptura (and so affirms the necessity of the church's authoritative teaching office) by saying "Scripture does not provide the terms of its own interpretation, much less a doctrine that defines its source, scope, and meaning." But (1) Sola Scriptura does not deny the church's authoritative teaching office—what it denies is that the teaching authority of the church can ever be in principle infallible or inherently equal in authority to the Scriptural word itself. Sola Scriptura is a question of ultimate authority (or ontological status) and what stands in judgment over what, not a question of ministerial or judicial or subordinate authority. And (2) the issue of "authoritative interpretation" is not eliminated, just moved back a step, when church authority is made equal to the Bible. After all, it's true that the Bible needs to be interpreted; but so do the Vatican's pronouncements. "Private interpretation" is not the weak point of Protestantism, it's just an acknowledgment of reality. Even Roman Catholics have to depend on their own conscience and judgment with regard to church teaching. This is unavoidable.
Anyway, there's a lot more to that above point.
But overall, me liking books (theology books at least) has little to do with how much I agree with them, and a lot to do with how much they provoke and help me to think clearly about issues. In this case though there is much to agree with, and much that is illuminating and helpful.
These and a hundred other questions arise when we talk about the doctrine of Scripture. Brad East's book addresses all these things with clarity and freshness, avoiding jargon but not sacrificing substance and depth.
I don't agree with all his conclusions. I don't think his case against Sola Scriptura really flies when that doctrine is understood rightly. Despite the fact that Brad East has obviously read and thought a ton about the topic, his criticisms don't finally land.
As one example, he critiques Sola Scriptura (and so affirms the necessity of the church's authoritative teaching office) by saying "Scripture does not provide the terms of its own interpretation, much less a doctrine that defines its source, scope, and meaning." But (1) Sola Scriptura does not deny the church's authoritative teaching office—what it denies is that the teaching authority of the church can ever be in principle infallible or inherently equal in authority to the Scriptural word itself. Sola Scriptura is a question of ultimate authority (or ontological status) and what stands in judgment over what, not a question of ministerial or judicial or subordinate authority. And (2) the issue of "authoritative interpretation" is not eliminated, just moved back a step, when church authority is made equal to the Bible. After all, it's true that the Bible needs to be interpreted; but so do the Vatican's pronouncements. "Private interpretation" is not the weak point of Protestantism, it's just an acknowledgment of reality. Even Roman Catholics have to depend on their own conscience and judgment with regard to church teaching. This is unavoidable.
Anyway, there's a lot more to that above point.
But overall, me liking books (theology books at least) has little to do with how much I agree with them, and a lot to do with how much they provoke and help me to think clearly about issues. In this case though there is much to agree with, and much that is illuminating and helpful.
January 17, 2025
Just a splendid volume. I aspire to write like Brad East. Though I’m uncertain about his emphasis on the ecclesial location at times. I want to agree but have some concerns.
98% Scripture is Christian
98% Scripture is Christian
February 25, 2022
A beautiful meditation on Scripture and its role in the life of Christians singular and gathered. There's quite a bit here on the doctrine of the Church too, quite frankly, as East centers the authority of Scripture as the Word of God entrusted to His people in this time before the consummation of our redemption. Well worth reading and pondering.
April 6, 2022
Okay, so, pretty well the best book I've ever read.
East is a brilliant writer, able to pack so much meaning into each sentence. He invites the reader into a very important conversation on how to think about Scripture, beyond what anyone's tradition has taught them. (but he doesn't do away with tradition) He writes concisely, but richly.
Now, I will say, his argument starting on page 128 on historical criticism was very poor. His main interlocuter is Jowett, which if you take a peek at the bibliography, is a writer from 1860. It lacks any engagement with contemporary historical critics, which creates a straw-person situation. Because he's arguing against someone from a century and a half ago, he missed many much more nuanced historical criticism. Further, the line "historical criticism is the ideological hegemon that arose in the wake of Jowett's Rule of Scripture assuming hermeneutical precedence in the church (or at least in those institutions where its scholars study, write, and train pastors)" is just patently untrue. There are many institutions and churches who do not use this method as their primary hermeneutic, my alma mater for example.
Beyond this whole section, until around page 137, this book is a 10/10.
Also, hilarious that he just threw in a sermon for his conclusion. A pro-hack for any writers struggling with a conclusion. *command C, command V, footnote.
East is a brilliant writer, able to pack so much meaning into each sentence. He invites the reader into a very important conversation on how to think about Scripture, beyond what anyone's tradition has taught them. (but he doesn't do away with tradition) He writes concisely, but richly.
Now, I will say, his argument starting on page 128 on historical criticism was very poor. His main interlocuter is Jowett, which if you take a peek at the bibliography, is a writer from 1860. It lacks any engagement with contemporary historical critics, which creates a straw-person situation. Because he's arguing against someone from a century and a half ago, he missed many much more nuanced historical criticism. Further, the line "historical criticism is the ideological hegemon that arose in the wake of Jowett's Rule of Scripture assuming hermeneutical precedence in the church (or at least in those institutions where its scholars study, write, and train pastors)" is just patently untrue. There are many institutions and churches who do not use this method as their primary hermeneutic, my alma mater for example.
Beyond this whole section, until around page 137, this book is a 10/10.
Also, hilarious that he just threw in a sermon for his conclusion. A pro-hack for any writers struggling with a conclusion. *command C, command V, footnote.
February 28, 2023
A Great Conversation Partner for Young Theologians and Inquisitive Christians
An unflinching review and proposal for a doctrine of Scripture coming from a Protestant vantage point (and university teaching office), calling these relatively short-lived traditions into question in light of the magisterium of the grand tradition of Christian faith as embraced and embodied by local episcopates and communities of the faithful. East places Scripture in the nexus of the uniquely Christian dynamic of divinity and humanity, calling Christians to simultaneously honor the reception of Scripture from Christian tradition, while comprehending the humanity of Scripture and tradition as the church continually interprets and re-interprets Scripture for the propagation of its faith and communal life and mission in and for the world. This slight tome is ambitious in its aims and serves as an excellent summary and conversation partner, especially for evangelical-leaning Protestants, on the way to something less “sola scriptura” and more intentionally catholic (little “c” intended). For professors of theology, this text is prime reading for seminary students and early doctoral students. A very advanced upper-level undergraduate reader would be stretched to read this without considerable context provided.
An unflinching review and proposal for a doctrine of Scripture coming from a Protestant vantage point (and university teaching office), calling these relatively short-lived traditions into question in light of the magisterium of the grand tradition of Christian faith as embraced and embodied by local episcopates and communities of the faithful. East places Scripture in the nexus of the uniquely Christian dynamic of divinity and humanity, calling Christians to simultaneously honor the reception of Scripture from Christian tradition, while comprehending the humanity of Scripture and tradition as the church continually interprets and re-interprets Scripture for the propagation of its faith and communal life and mission in and for the world. This slight tome is ambitious in its aims and serves as an excellent summary and conversation partner, especially for evangelical-leaning Protestants, on the way to something less “sola scriptura” and more intentionally catholic (little “c” intended). For professors of theology, this text is prime reading for seminary students and early doctoral students. A very advanced upper-level undergraduate reader would be stretched to read this without considerable context provided.
December 15, 2021
Maybe a 4, 4.5. I can't decide whether I find it deeply beautiful and eloquent or overly loquacious and linguistically sophisticated to the point of being boorish. I overall found the work helpful. I might have some slightly different aesthetic tendencies than the author, especially in Ecclesiology, and I would like to dialogue with him about situating his doctrine of scripture more in a Missiological framework. But overall, a helpful work. Especially helpful as a response to sola scripture inerrantists. His recognition of the Scriptures as a product of the Spirit through the church means that he also sees tradition as continuous with the scriptures, together as guided by the Spirit. I would just want to see the expansion of this to speak of the story of creation and the story of the church in relation to the world in mission.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
An irony to finish this on “Reformation Day” when East forswears the Reformers’ doctrine of Scripture so frequently. Though generously! I think this is a winsome account of a more catholic view of the nature of the Scriptures to/in/for the Church. Raw biblicism is pretty easily swept aside. Rightly, in my view. But a lot of questions remain for the reader, which East tries to answer. Some questions of East remain for me. And objections. But I think I land closer to East than most other evangelical accounts.
December 3, 2024
Throw out every other book on bibliology henceforth! We would do better if we started here with East and his deeply ecclesial and catholic account of Christian scripture. It’s widely conversant with those to his right and his left, and I appreciate his theological engagement with the realm biblical studies. And it’s wonderfully written; deeply devotional in tone—a real pleasure to read.
There’s a lot more to be said, but that will have to be for another time and another venue.
There’s a lot more to be said, but that will have to be for another time and another venue.
August 19, 2025
A Great Book with Rich Theology
There is much to commend in this book. While I disagree with the author on some points, overall his thesis was critical for the development of my view of Scripture. East’s book will help theological students out of many of the dichotomies and antimonies they are likely to encounter in the course of their studies.
There is much to commend in this book. While I disagree with the author on some points, overall his thesis was critical for the development of my view of Scripture. East’s book will help theological students out of many of the dichotomies and antimonies they are likely to encounter in the course of their studies.
October 16, 2024
A well-written, well-argued, and readable take on the Doctrine of Scripture. There were parts of this that I am just a bit too Protestant to be on board with, but that doesn't mean East didn't do a good job of explaining his point. There were a few analogies in here (e.g. Eucharist, the threefold office) that were, in my view, unnecessary, frustrating, distracting, and didn't really add to the argument. His takes on Sola Scriptura and criticism were sort of strawmen, too. But otherwise it was a strong, accessible, and mostly enjoyable book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews