Reformation Trust recently blessed me with another interesting title to review. This time around they sent me a digital preview of Sola Scripture: The Protestant Position on the Bible. I was very excited to read this volume because of the authors assembled to provided the essays that make up the contents. 
The book opens with one of the clearest explanations of Sola Scripture I have ever read. Robert Godfrey goes to great lengths to explain what Sola Scripture does and does not mean. Anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of the historic Christian position on the Scriptures would benefit from this chapter.
My favorite chapter was written by James White. In chapter two, Dr. White demonstrates that Sola Scriptura is a position on the Bible whose pedigree (to borrow a word from Roman Catholic apologist Robert Sungenis) is very well attested. Without question, Dr. White presents a clear case for Roman Catholic apologists classic approach to the church fathers, quote mining. By the end of the chapter the reader is equipped to discuss, intelligently, the belief in Sola Scriptura found within the early church. The rest of the authors all do fine jobs handling their specific topics. Sinclair Ferguson provides an excellent discussion of tradition while John MacArthur shines when discussing the sufficiency of Scripture.
Surprisingly, my least favorite chapter was written by one of my favorite authors, R.C. Sproul. Dr. Sproul discusses in his chapter the canon of Scripture as it relates to Sola Scriptura. While this chapter achieves its goal by covering the topic at hand, it provides those familiar with the history of the canon little new information. Still, even when Dr. Sproul does not shine he is still a compelling writer. So, for those lacking a great deal of knowledge regarding the canon, Dr. Sproul’s chapter would be quite helpful.
Overall, this book provides an excellent discussion of Sola Scriptura. Perhaps the book’s greatest strength is its balance between scholarship and accessibility. This is perhaps the most balanced approach to discussing Sola Scriptura I have ever read. The information provided is both compelling and scholarly without being ivory tower literature.
Presentation: 4/5
Structure: 5/5
Scholarship: 4/5 (I think this book would have benefited by using footnotes…I do love footnotes)
Readability: 5/5
FOR THE GOSPEL 