It is available at: http://www.amazon.com/
Simple comments by Mr. (Dr.) Dockery. "Basics on the basics," but worth reviewing.
Numerous substantive issues are brought in the space of the early pages, 2-11. Substantial, weighty and powerful issues that may never be forgotten.
A few musings plus a few interpolations (by me) from Pt. 1, section 1. Have been running down some Greek and Hebrew texts more largely beyond what we're posting.
Part One: The Bible
1. Names, contents and characteristics of the Bible
2. Inspiration and authority of the Bible
Names of the Bible:
• For English speakers, it’s the “Bible,” “Scriptures,” or the “Word of God”
• Βιβλία or “books, scrolls.” “Scrolls” is probably what St. Paul had in mind in his instructions to his protégé, Timothy. 2 Tim. 4.13: 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.” Or, 13τὸν φαιλόνην ὃν ἀπέλιπον ἐν Τρῳάδι παρὰ Κάρπῳ ἐρχόμενος φέρε, καὶ τὰ βιβλία, μάλιστα τὰς μεμβράνας.
• Holy Scriptures = [τὰ] ἱερὰ γράμματα = “Holy Writings, Documents, Books”.
• “All Scripture” = πᾶσα γραφὴ
• 2 Tim. 3.15-17: “...and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Or, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους [τὰ] ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος.
• Hence, the terms “Holy Bible,” “Holy Scriptures” and “Word of God” and the interchangeability amongst Christians
• The major theme of Scriptures is the “life, history, writings, poetry and more concerning God’s covenant with the nation of Israel and the New Israel, the Church.” “I will be your God and you will be my people” (Lev. 26.12).
• Jesus said the “new covenant in his blood.” This provided the basis for Christians calling the Hebrew scriptures the “Old Covenant.” Luke 22.20: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Or, καὶ τὸ ποτήριον ὡσαύτως μετὰ τὸ δειπνῆσαι, λέγων, Τοῦτο τὸ ποτήριον ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη ἐν τῷ αἵματί μου, τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐκχυννόμενον.
• Covenant = bereshith = בְרִיתִי = διαθήκη
• Hence, the names “Old Covenant” and “New Covenant.” We would add that two terms were used by Swiss Reformed Churchmen. The term “Testament” comes from the Latin Vulgate.
Contents: law and laws, prophets, writings, histories, parables, songs, proverbs, genealogies, Gospels, letters, apocalypses, narratives, hymns, thank-you-notes (e.g. Philemon, of sorts), confessions of faith, and sermons. These were terms by Mr. Dockery.
Characteristics:
• “…a simple and profound book…”
• According to Mr. (Dr.) Dockery, “…millions of children love the Bible…” (4). Yours truly was one of those children.
• “The world’s finest scholars have spent their lifetimes studying the Bible and can still confess they have only scratched the surface of this great Book” (4).
• We, from the old Princetonian tradition (may His Majesty be praised for the grace to have been raised in it), are well-reminded of the phrase from the old catalogue from Westminster Theological Seminary that the Bible was “capable of the highest of scholarly defense and exposition,” a trait and feature of old Princetonian beliefs and practices. Or, it’s simple enough for children, widely, but also deep enough for the scholars. That makes us "Very High Churchmen."
• A “human and divine” book
• Inspired, 2 Tim. 3.15-17. We would add that B.B. Warfield’s Inspiration and Authority is a must-have, must-parse, and must-ponder volume. We’re probably overdue for retours on this and the following volume.
Heavy lifting with Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Warfield. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/
We would also add Louis Gaussen’s Divine Inspiration of Scripture is another must-ponder volume. Mr. Gaussen was one of the famed trio of European Reformed Churchmen in the 19th century who was indelibly influenced by the scholarly, exegetical, theological and faithful ministry of the London-born Scotsman, the Mr. (Rev.) Robert Haldane. We've treated this more largely in our work on another from that trio, Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) J. H. Merle d'Aubigne. 100s were significantly influenced by Mr. Haldane's ministry. But, back to Mr. Gaussen's work. It’s available here: http://www.amazon.com/
• A “light” to one’s paths (Psalm 119.105)
• “Honey” to one’s mouth (Ps. 119.103)
• A “weapon” of the Spirit for fighting (Eph. 6.17)
• Lives are “formed by the Bible—read, sung, preached, taught, believed and loved” (4). “Shapes” one’s worldview.
We'll add more on general and special revelation, inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy, and illumination tomorrow, further "basics on the basics."
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