Bray, Gerald. The Faith We Confess: An Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles. London: Latimer Press, 2009.
The volume is available at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Faith-Confess-Exposition-Thirty-Nine/dp/0946307849/ref=pd_sim_b_2
"VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
"Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
"Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books.
"Genesis, The First Book of Samuel, The Book of Esther,
Exodus, The Second Book of Samuel, The Book of Job,
Leviticus, The First Book of Kings, The Psalms,
Numbers, The Second Book of Kings, The Proverbs,
Deuteronomy, The First Book of Chronicles, Ecclesiastes or Preacher,
Joshua, The Second Book of Chronicles, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon,
Judges, The First Book of Esdras, Four Prophets the greater,
Ruth, The Second Book of Esdras, Twelve Prophets the less.
"And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:
"The Third Book of Esdras, The rest of the Book of Esther,
The Fourth Book of Esdras, The Book of Wisdom,
The Book of Tobias, Jesus the Son of Sirach,
The Book of Judith, Baruch the Prophet,
The Song of the Three Children, The Prayer of Manasses,
The Story of Susanna, The First Book of Maccabees,
Of Bel and the Dragon, The Second Book of Maccabees.
"All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.
We get 8 pages here in the Exposition. This is the first Article that brings up the Reformation issue of Sola Scriptura. Yes, an Anglican who claims it. But, as a term and practice, it went back to John Wycliffe (1328-1384) who dispensed with transubstantiation, the Anglo-Vatican’s claim to universal Church-State supremacy, and anything else not found in Scripture. Prof. Bray goes on to dispatch with purgatory, Papal infallibility (1870), Mary’s immaculate conception (1854), the bodily assumption of Mary (1950) and prayers for the dead. He claims for Anglicans that there is “no legitimate place in our doctrine or worship” for prayers to or for the dead (43).
A nice claim, but the chairmen (=bishops) of various presbyteries (=dioceses) say otherwise—as muddling middlers and manglicers of mishmash. The claim is nice, but overdone. The 1928 and 1979 BCPs contain echoes of that. PERIOD. C’mon Professor, get specific and call it out with consistency and discipline, if you think that Article VI forbids such nonsense. You're alone while the TFOs are all over your "tradition." Necromancers in the ACNA.
Prof. Bray notably excludes the three-legs and via media in the discussion.
Prof. Bray gives a brief tour on John Wycliffe and notes that the “church” forbad vernaculars in 1407. Why not mention the Parliament and the 1401 De Haeretico Comburendo and Anglo-Italian hatred for the vernacular Bible? Or, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Constitutions of 1409? That’s the Church of England for 160 years of darkness ruled by demons--stealing, trashing and obfuscating the Bible. It really can't be put more delicately. England, the Church of Tyranny. Prof. Bray is too soft here.
Prof. Bray gives a tour on the OT and NT canon. Nothing notable here. Other volumes are needed. What is notable, however, is his observation that there are no commentaries in the ancient church on deuterocanonical texts. That appears to be a little-noted claim. We'll thank him for it while reserving it for further review.
He makes the curious point that the “first official statement” on the canon was the Council of Trent in the 4th session (45). Rather odd. Further, he claims that Parker drew up the list in 1563. Did not Cranmer have the canonical list in the 42? We’ll need to double-check the claim.
Prof. Bray calls attention to Cranmer’s view of Scripture in the "Homily on Scripture." Cranmer notes: (1) the reader should approach the text with a pure and humble heart, (2) there are clear sections and some less clear, and (3) clearer places illuminate less clear places. All of this is evinced in the early church. We’ll need to review this separately from here. Little is noted about TFO-claims in terms of interpretation.
Cranmer supported vernacular Bibles (while his London Bishop was having Tyndale strangled in 1536). We get the tour of Tyndale, Coverdale, the Great Bible or “Cranmer’s Bible” (after the 2nd edition containing Cranmer’s Preface), the Bishops’ Bible, the Geneva Bible, and the KJV.
Four volumes are recommended for the reader. We thank the Professor for the reminder, to wit, the need for a developed bibliography on Scripture, canon, inspiration, and infallibility. It's being worked. One must do one's own homework.
Beckwith, Roger. The Old Testament Canon in the New Testament Church. London: SPCK, 1985. Also, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2008. http://www.amazon.com/The-Old-Testament-Canon-Church/dp/1606082493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082272&sr=8-1&keywords=roger+beckwith+the+old+testament+canon
Jensen, Peter. The Revelation of God. IVP Academic, 2004. http://www.amazon.com/The-Revelation-Contours-Christian-Theology/dp/0830815384/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082406&sr=8-1&keywords=jensen+the+revelation+of+God
Metzger, Bruce. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development and Significance. Oxford: OUP, 1997. http://www.amazon.com/The-Canon-New-Testament-Significance/dp/0198269544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082525&sr=8-1&keywords=bruce+metzger+the+canon+of+the+new+testament
Ward, Timothy. Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God. IVP Academic, 2009. http://www.amazon.com/Words-Life-Scripture-Living-Active/dp/0830827447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082734&sr=8-1&keywords=timothy+ward+words+of+life
The following are reviews of Ward.
"Throughout Christian history, the overwhelmingly predominant view of the Bible has been that it is itself the living and active word of God. In this book Timothy Ward explains and defends what we are really saying when we trust and proclaim, as we must, that the Bible is God's word. In particular he describes the nature of the relationship between the living God and Scripture. He examines why, in order to worship God faithfully, we need to pay close attention to the Bible; why, in order to be faithful disciples of Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, we need to base our lives on the words of the Bible; and why, in order to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, we need to trust and obey what the Bible says. Ward offers an understanding of the nature of Scripture under three main headings. A biblical outline shows that the words of the Bible form a significant part of God's action in the world. A theological outline focuses on the relationship of Scripture with each of the persons of the Trinity. And a doctrinal outline examines the 'attributes' of Scripture. A final chapter explores some significant areas in which the doctrine of Scripture should be applied. Ward offers us an excellent, lucid exposition of the nature and function of Scripture, expresssed in a form appropriate for the tweny-first century, grounded in the relevant scholarship, and standing firmily in line with the best of the theological traditions."
"I have been on the lookout for a compelling and contemporary treatment of the nature and authority of Scripture for years. I ask of every promising new title, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall I look for another?' Ward's book may be the one. Words of Life rightly roots its thinking about Scripture in the doctrine of God, and that means trinitarian theology. His central insight: God's word is something that God does. The Bible is not simply an object to be studied but the principal means by which the Lord engages his people and administers his covenant. Ward is a British pastor-theologian in the best sense of the term. The deft treatment of inerrancy by one from the other side of the pond is an added bonus. Highly recommended!" (Kevin Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College)
"Timothy Ward's exposition of the nature and place of the Bible is well-informed and thoroughly thought through. It is a product of alert contemporary awareness, deep-level theological discernment and mature personal judgment. Rarely has a book on this subject stirred me to such emphatic agreement and admiration." (J. I. Packer, Regent College, Vancouver)
"This is both a great read and a sterling work of scholarship. It is comprehensive in scope, rich in historical awareness and acute in critique. It respects the past without idolizing it, draws discriminatingly on modern speech-theory, offers fine insights into the relation between Scripture and tradition, and gives a judicious assessment of inerrancy. Textbook and treat in a single volume!" (Donald Macleod, Free Church of Scotland College)
"A very fine treatment of the classical Christian doctrine of Holy Scripture, which draws particularly on the theological wisdom of the Reformed tradition. A particular strength of the book is the way in which the author formulates his account of Scripture from Scripture itself, notably from its covenantal character. Words of Life is well-written and clear-headed, thoughtful and judicious." (Paul Helm, Regent College, Vancouver)
The volume is available at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Faith-Confess-Exposition-Thirty-Nine/dp/0946307849/ref=pd_sim_b_2
"VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
"Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
"Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books.
"Genesis, The First Book of Samuel, The Book of Esther,
Exodus, The Second Book of Samuel, The Book of Job,
Leviticus, The First Book of Kings, The Psalms,
Numbers, The Second Book of Kings, The Proverbs,
Deuteronomy, The First Book of Chronicles, Ecclesiastes or Preacher,
Joshua, The Second Book of Chronicles, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon,
Judges, The First Book of Esdras, Four Prophets the greater,
Ruth, The Second Book of Esdras, Twelve Prophets the less.
"And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:
"The Third Book of Esdras, The rest of the Book of Esther,
The Fourth Book of Esdras, The Book of Wisdom,
The Book of Tobias, Jesus the Son of Sirach,
The Book of Judith, Baruch the Prophet,
The Song of the Three Children, The Prayer of Manasses,
The Story of Susanna, The First Book of Maccabees,
Of Bel and the Dragon, The Second Book of Maccabees.
"All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.
We get 8 pages here in the Exposition. This is the first Article that brings up the Reformation issue of Sola Scriptura. Yes, an Anglican who claims it. But, as a term and practice, it went back to John Wycliffe (1328-1384) who dispensed with transubstantiation, the Anglo-Vatican’s claim to universal Church-State supremacy, and anything else not found in Scripture. Prof. Bray goes on to dispatch with purgatory, Papal infallibility (1870), Mary’s immaculate conception (1854), the bodily assumption of Mary (1950) and prayers for the dead. He claims for Anglicans that there is “no legitimate place in our doctrine or worship” for prayers to or for the dead (43).
A nice claim, but the chairmen (=bishops) of various presbyteries (=dioceses) say otherwise—as muddling middlers and manglicers of mishmash. The claim is nice, but overdone. The 1928 and 1979 BCPs contain echoes of that. PERIOD. C’mon Professor, get specific and call it out with consistency and discipline, if you think that Article VI forbids such nonsense. You're alone while the TFOs are all over your "tradition." Necromancers in the ACNA.
Prof. Bray notably excludes the three-legs and via media in the discussion.
Prof. Bray gives a brief tour on John Wycliffe and notes that the “church” forbad vernaculars in 1407. Why not mention the Parliament and the 1401 De Haeretico Comburendo and Anglo-Italian hatred for the vernacular Bible? Or, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Constitutions of 1409? That’s the Church of England for 160 years of darkness ruled by demons--stealing, trashing and obfuscating the Bible. It really can't be put more delicately. England, the Church of Tyranny. Prof. Bray is too soft here.
Prof. Bray gives a tour on the OT and NT canon. Nothing notable here. Other volumes are needed. What is notable, however, is his observation that there are no commentaries in the ancient church on deuterocanonical texts. That appears to be a little-noted claim. We'll thank him for it while reserving it for further review.
He makes the curious point that the “first official statement” on the canon was the Council of Trent in the 4th session (45). Rather odd. Further, he claims that Parker drew up the list in 1563. Did not Cranmer have the canonical list in the 42? We’ll need to double-check the claim.
Prof. Bray calls attention to Cranmer’s view of Scripture in the "Homily on Scripture." Cranmer notes: (1) the reader should approach the text with a pure and humble heart, (2) there are clear sections and some less clear, and (3) clearer places illuminate less clear places. All of this is evinced in the early church. We’ll need to review this separately from here. Little is noted about TFO-claims in terms of interpretation.
Cranmer supported vernacular Bibles (while his London Bishop was having Tyndale strangled in 1536). We get the tour of Tyndale, Coverdale, the Great Bible or “Cranmer’s Bible” (after the 2nd edition containing Cranmer’s Preface), the Bishops’ Bible, the Geneva Bible, and the KJV.
Four volumes are recommended for the reader. We thank the Professor for the reminder, to wit, the need for a developed bibliography on Scripture, canon, inspiration, and infallibility. It's being worked. One must do one's own homework.
Beckwith, Roger. The Old Testament Canon in the New Testament Church. London: SPCK, 1985. Also, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2008. http://www.amazon.com/The-Old-Testament-Canon-Church/dp/1606082493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082272&sr=8-1&keywords=roger+beckwith+the+old+testament+canon
Jensen, Peter. The Revelation of God. IVP Academic, 2004. http://www.amazon.com/The-Revelation-Contours-Christian-Theology/dp/0830815384/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082406&sr=8-1&keywords=jensen+the+revelation+of+God
Metzger, Bruce. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development and Significance. Oxford: OUP, 1997. http://www.amazon.com/The-Canon-New-Testament-Significance/dp/0198269544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082525&sr=8-1&keywords=bruce+metzger+the+canon+of+the+new+testament
Ward, Timothy. Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God. IVP Academic, 2009. http://www.amazon.com/Words-Life-Scripture-Living-Active/dp/0830827447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392082734&sr=8-1&keywords=timothy+ward+words+of+life
The following are reviews of Ward.
"Throughout Christian history, the overwhelmingly predominant view of the Bible has been that it is itself the living and active word of God. In this book Timothy Ward explains and defends what we are really saying when we trust and proclaim, as we must, that the Bible is God's word. In particular he describes the nature of the relationship between the living God and Scripture. He examines why, in order to worship God faithfully, we need to pay close attention to the Bible; why, in order to be faithful disciples of Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, we need to base our lives on the words of the Bible; and why, in order to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, we need to trust and obey what the Bible says. Ward offers an understanding of the nature of Scripture under three main headings. A biblical outline shows that the words of the Bible form a significant part of God's action in the world. A theological outline focuses on the relationship of Scripture with each of the persons of the Trinity. And a doctrinal outline examines the 'attributes' of Scripture. A final chapter explores some significant areas in which the doctrine of Scripture should be applied. Ward offers us an excellent, lucid exposition of the nature and function of Scripture, expresssed in a form appropriate for the tweny-first century, grounded in the relevant scholarship, and standing firmily in line with the best of the theological traditions."
"I have been on the lookout for a compelling and contemporary treatment of the nature and authority of Scripture for years. I ask of every promising new title, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall I look for another?' Ward's book may be the one. Words of Life rightly roots its thinking about Scripture in the doctrine of God, and that means trinitarian theology. His central insight: God's word is something that God does. The Bible is not simply an object to be studied but the principal means by which the Lord engages his people and administers his covenant. Ward is a British pastor-theologian in the best sense of the term. The deft treatment of inerrancy by one from the other side of the pond is an added bonus. Highly recommended!" (Kevin Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College)
"Timothy Ward's exposition of the nature and place of the Bible is well-informed and thoroughly thought through. It is a product of alert contemporary awareness, deep-level theological discernment and mature personal judgment. Rarely has a book on this subject stirred me to such emphatic agreement and admiration." (J. I. Packer, Regent College, Vancouver)
"This is both a great read and a sterling work of scholarship. It is comprehensive in scope, rich in historical awareness and acute in critique. It respects the past without idolizing it, draws discriminatingly on modern speech-theory, offers fine insights into the relation between Scripture and tradition, and gives a judicious assessment of inerrancy. Textbook and treat in a single volume!" (Donald Macleod, Free Church of Scotland College)
"A very fine treatment of the classical Christian doctrine of Holy Scripture, which draws particularly on the theological wisdom of the Reformed tradition. A particular strength of the book is the way in which the author formulates his account of Scripture from Scripture itself, notably from its covenantal character. Words of Life is well-written and clear-headed, thoughtful and judicious." (Paul Helm, Regent College, Vancouver)
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