Philip Hale – författare

The doctrine of Scripture determines precisely how theology is done and what authority theological statements—including those in sermons, dogmatic texts, and confessional writings—possess. At stake is nothing less than truth itself and the possibility of communicating the truth of Christ to mankind.This book compares the pre-modern approach to Scripture, following early Christian theologians, Martin Luther, and historic Lutheranism, with modernism, starting with Socinianism and continuing with Enlightenment philosophers and recent modern theologians, especially the neo-orthodox. These differences are most clearly visible in the doctrine of Scripture, especially its inspiration, and the method for establishing true facts. Modern theology starts with scientific truth as a given and will not go against it. Pre-modern Christianity started with Scripture and assumed its inerrancy, by virtue of its speaker: God, who is inerrant.Modernism is not easily defined in traditional terms, but it represents an overturning of biblical Christianity. In academic theology confessing and sure facts are disallowed by scientific and scholarly doubt. Modernism, or Enlightenmentism, explains why bold Christian confessing has diminished. Modern exegesis and hermeneutics are the primary obstacles.The destructive role of modernism and scientific values in historically confessing churches is explored, using the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as an example.

This book is a study in the forgiveness of sins and how it relates to Christ's work, specifically His resurrection. This is often termed "e;objective justification,"e; a hotly contested teaching within Lutheranism today. Using both historical sources and modern authors, this work probes and clarifies one of the most important and neglected doctrinal topics in Christianity and even conservative Lutheranism. It shows how errors and divergences in this doctrine affect preaching, teaching, and the definition of the Gospel itself."e;I attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne from 1979–1983, when the waters were being roiled by those denying the teaching of objective justification. Papers were written, pamphlets published, and even professors were accused and defended. It was all very painful. It's still unpleasant, but it's a necessary pain to bear as the very Gospel itself is at stake in the doctrine of objective justification. Rev. Hale's book addresses this subject in a way and to a depth no other book I have read on the subject does. He answers the deniers, as well as asking and answering questions that reveal the many faceted aspects of this jewel of a doctrine. If you are going to read only one book on this subject, read this one. It reaches into the past history of this teaching in an extremely helpful way and looks at what the future holds for those who would handle the Word of God deceitfully by denying objective justification."e;Rev. Paul R. Harris.Trinity Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas