Sola Scriptura

Sola Scriptura is an admirably accessible work of fine scholarship. The book is well argued and constructed, lucidly written, and makes its case very well. It also takes on one of the most pressing issues in contemporary culture, namely the nature and location of authority. As always in his work, Ben Witherington ranges widely through a large and diverse literature, and he has an excellent familiarity with the more tangential literatures.

~Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Baylor University

In this valuable volume, Ben Witherington III tackles a large topic—biblical authority. He does so insightfully and, for my part, convincingly. Tradition, reason, and experience notwithstanding, Witherington contends that sacred Scripture is the final and ultimate arbiter for matters of faith and practice. Whether or not you are inclined to embrace this theological position, you will benefit from reading this thoughtful and timely book, written by one of the foremost biblical commentators of our time.

~Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean & William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures, George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University

Ben Witherington has written commentaries on each of the twenty-seven texts that constitute the New Testament as well as engaged in larger, more holistic theological and ethical reflection on the message of these texts. Now he reflects deeply, and in a manner richly informed by the history of the church’s engagement with scripture, on the nature of scriptural authority itself. This is a timely and well-nigh prophetic work in its examination of authority in the Christian churches throughout the millennia and the place of scriptural authority within that matrix. It should help us to think past worn and tired Protestant-Catholic divides as well as find a balanced center in the current confusion concerning authority in the Church Universal.

~David A. deSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary

Ben Witherington's Sola Scriptura is a timely book. Many people refer to the principle of 'Scripture alone,' but don’t really know what it means or where tradition fits in. Consequently, the application of this important principle is off-target. Witherington provides us with a helpful corrective that will assist theologians and biblical interpreters as they wrestle with the meaning and application of the sacred text.

~Craig A. Evans, John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins, Houston Christian University

Ben Witherington is one of the best, wisest, clearest, smartest, most sensible, most prayerful, and most inspiring Bible scholars around. Everything he writes is worth reading. And everything he writes will help you open up the Living Word of God.

~James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

Questions about the canon, authority, and trustworthiness of the Bible are commonplace, even among Christians, and in Sola Scriptura Ben Witherington offers answers to those questions. He argues his thesis through his own historical summary and critical analysis of Jewish and Christian views on sacred texts, making the case that the Bible should be the final authority for Christian faith and practice today. This text is a gift to Christians who desire to ground their trust in the Bible with accessible historical evidence and offers much to ponder for Christians across the theological spectrum.

~Holly Beers, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Westmont College

Dr. Witherington, as a seasoned scholar, presents a much-needed defense for the authority of Scripture with concise historical context for renewed significance for contemporary crises of faith untethered from the foundations of Scripture.

~M. Sydney Park, Associate Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School