Scripture, Tradition and Reason: A Study in the Criteria of Christian Doctrine
Overview
According to the editors, scripture, tradition and reason are the three criteria by which the adequacy of all Christian teaching has to be tested. Not only in Anglicanism, which has always particularly stressed the ‘threefold cord,’ but in all the Christian churches the relationship and relative authority of scripture, tradition and reason are nowadays the subject of wide debate and disagreement. Has one of them a primary voice over the other two? Or a ‘veto’? How can their respective influences in the past be evaluated, and what should it be in this modern age? These essays on scripture, tradition and reason will speak to the heart of nearly every major issue confronting the life and thought of Christian churches today.
Top Highlights
“Tradition and Conscience are the two wings given to the human soul to reach the truth’ (a quotation which he proceeded to expound).5 To jettison tradition as such is to reject the inherited wisdom of the past and thereby suffer incalculable impoverishment. True, the heritage of the past includes unworthy elements, but it is our moral and religious duty—and here conscience has a part to play alongside reason—to exercise discrimination and hold fast to what is good.” (Pages 36–37)
“Primary authority, that is to say, belongs to Scripture as ‘God’s Word written’; but whatever may be deduced from Scripture by the proper use of reason carries a derivative authority with it. As for ‘the voice of the Church’, which is certainly one form of tradition, that was placed by Hooker on the third level of authority, but it carries real authority when it is agreeable to Scripture and not contrary to reason.” (Pages 35–36)
“I did not think that what I could learn from books was so valuable as the living and abiding voice” (Page 38)
“Scripture must be interpreted according to ‘the tradition of the catholic church,’ which” (Page 119)
“the content of apostolic tradition coincides with the content of Scripture.” (Page 118)
…a useful chart for the church… I commend this volume to those who wish to familiarize themselves with the rich contours of Anglicanism… and also to those who care for the survival of an historical, rational, liberal, and pious approach to, and understanding of, the Christian faith…
—Anglican Theological Review
- Title: Scripture, Tradition and Reason: A Study in the Criteria of Christian Doctrine
- Authors: Benjamin Drewery, Richard Bauckham
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 1998
- Logos Release Date: 2007
- Era: era:Contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Theology, doctrinal
- ISBNs: 9780567082480, 0567082482
- Resource ID: LLS:SCRTRADRSN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-02T22:10:28Z
Richard Bauckham is Professor of New Testament Studies, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews.
Benjamin Drewery was Senior Lecturer in Ecclesiastical History, University of Manchester.