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Review: Scripture Alone by James White

I'm literally finished reading this book 5 minutes ago! It was such a good book that I had to review it while it was still fresh in my head.

By way of introduction, Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone) was one of the great cries of the Reformation in the 16th Century, along with: Sola Fide (by Faith alone), Sola Gratia (by Grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone) and Sola Del Gloria (glory to God alone).

Today's evangelical Christians have largely forgotten the Scripture Alone part. It's sad. We all do it. We think we need extra revelation above and beyond the Bible. More so, when you don't have the Bible as the central sufficient authority, we deviate seriously from how the Lord has commanded us to live - our standards become lower and lower and more like the world than like God. So it's key that we all return (myself included) to the great solas of the Reformation, especially Sola Scriptura as we tend to hear of the others more. All five need equal focus, but this is a review of Scripture Alone, so Sola Scriptura is the focus.

I have read Kevin Deyoung's "Taking God At His Word" a few months ago and loved it but wanted something deeper. Then I got into the fantastic James White through him speaking in Coleraine courtesy of It Is Written Apologetics (thanks again Nicky). So I picked up Scripture Alone in the Evangelical Bookshop in Belfast shortly after I heard him speak on New Testament textual criticism in Coleraine and enjoyed him thoroughly.

Front cover says, "Exploring the Bible's accuracy, authority, and authenticity". He describes it as "a passionate introduction to the sufficiency of the Bible". It's a level up from Kevin Deyoung's fantastic book, yet isn't that deep compared to other works that are out there.

Psalm 119:18 says, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." This is a great verse and indeed chapter (context is key) to bear in mind as we take a look at this book.

Topics covered include: inerrancy, exegesis, cannon of Scripture, allegations made against the Bible, tradition, Church and doctrine. Chapter one starts with a cracking quote from Martin Luther, one of the Reformers, "The Word comes first, and with the Word the Spirit breathes upon my heart so that I believe". Incredible.

As the book goes on, White shows chapter by chapter how Scripture is authoritative, sufficient and accurate. He shows us how the Word of God is to be the centre of everything, since the Word is Jesus' very Words (see John 1:1-14).

I haven't time to go through the book chapter by chapter unfortunately. But what I will say is that this book is a fantastic introduction to the glorious doctrine of Sola Scriptura. It has rooted me even firmer than I was into God's Word, God has used it by its Spirit to help me see how His Word is enough as it helps me see Christ in all His glory and abide in Him on a daily basis.

If you've never heard of James White, he is a great apologist and defender of the faith to world leading apologists. He is based in Phoenix, Arizona, where is in an elder in his local Reformed Baptist Church.

Give this book and Kevin Deyoung's Taking God At His Word a read. You'll be edified, challenged and rooted even more firmly in God's Word if you do. I highly recommend James White's book "Scripture Alone" and can't wait to get stuck into his other books!

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