Series Preface
Preface
Introduction: How Do We Give an Account of the Doctrine of Scripture?

Chapter 1: Jesus and Scripture: The Christian Starting Point for Understanding Revelation and the Bible
Chapter 2: The Speaking God
Chapter 3: From the Speech of God to “the Word of God Written”
Chapter 4: The Character of Scripture (Part 1): Clarity and Truthfulness
Chapter 5: The Character of Scripture (Part 2): Sufficiency and Efficacy
Chapter 6: Reading the Bible as a Follower of Jesus

Further Reading
General Index
Scripture Index

“The doctrine of Scripture remains a foundational—but also hotly contested—matter in Christian circles. Therefore there is a great need for works that are concise without omitting key issues, clear without being simplistic, and learned without being labyrinthine. Mark Thompson has provided such a work. As with other thoughtful and cogent expositions of orthodox doctrines in this series, this volume on Scripture draws on a wealth of historic and contemporary sources to provide the reader with a fine introduction to the topic. The Doctrine of Scripture will make a great volume for discussion groups or private study.”
Carl R. Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College; author, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

“Mark D. Thompson has provided Christ followers with an illuminating and refreshing introduction to holy Scripture. This biblically informed and theologically shaped work unapologetically affirms the Bible’s inspiration, truthfulness, and sufficiency, pointing readers to Christ and faithful Christian discipleship. Simply stated, The Doctrine of Scripture is an excellent contribution to Crossway’s outstanding series. I enthusiastically and happily recommend this substantive, thoughtfully organized, and highly readable volume.”
David S. Dockery, President, International Alliance for Christian Education; Distinguished Professor of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Despite the Bible’s status as the number one bestseller in history, there is still confusion about what it says, what it is, and whether Christians should be following the Scriptures rather than Christ. Thompson answers these questions and thoroughly debunks this fateful contrast. In doing so, he performs a signal service to the church. In order to follow Christ, disciples must follow the story and trust the testimony of Scripture, for the story is ultimately about Christ, and Christ identifies its testimony as God’s own word. But the real contribution of Thompson’s book is the way its chapters make explicit the doctrine of Scripture implicit in Jesus’s own teaching.”
Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Given the current ‘crisis of authority’ all around us, the church desperately needs clear and faithful biblical and theological expositions of what Scripture is, along with a renewed commitment to God’s most holy word. In this very accessible treatment of the nature of Scripture, Mark Thompson has almost achieved the unthinkable: he has described, explained, and defended all the crucial points needed for the church to understand and grasp what Scripture is for today. What is so helpful in his discussion is how he rightly grounds the doctrine of Scripture first in the doctrine of God, namely, the triune God who speaks. By doing so, he helps the church understand the Christ-centered nature of Scripture and why Scripture is utterly necessary, authoritative, and true. I cannot think of another book on Scripture that is so accessible to all Christians, faithful in its exposition, and wise in its conclusions. I highly recommend it!”
Stephen J. Wellum, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“For a succinct introductory account of a classic evangelical view of Scripture that travels the path of B. B. Warfield while also drawing upon more recent voices—especially John Webster and Kevin Vanhoozer—look no further.”
Kelly M. Kapic, Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant College