Stephen Nichols has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary authors. Some of my favorites include his biography of Martin Luther, his book on the “American Jesus” (Jesus Made in America), the book on the Reformation- How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World, and his work on the early church entitled For Us and Our Salvation. Nichols now pipes in with a helpful book on the doctrine of Scripture with a specific emphasis upon our contemporary age.
Ancient Word, Changing Worlds focuses on the contemporary challenges to and defenses of the Bible. Nichols observes that these challenges have providentially caused a “deeper reflection on and clearer expression of the doctrines of Scripture.” Furthermore the author writes,
These doctrines orbit around three words, words that have received a great deal of attention in the nineteenth, twentieth, and now into the twenty-first centuries. These three words are inspiration, inerrancy, and interpretation. This book tells the story of these words, and particularly the story of how these words were developed in these last few centuries. It is the story of how the ancient word of God speaks to and in our changing world.
The format for the book is as simple and informative. After unpacking each of the three key words listed above in their own chapters the author then compiles a list of writings from folks in the midst of the respective debates over Scripture. In the midst of these quotations Nichols provides helpful commentary, observation and conclusion. So for instance, you have quite a bit of quotations from BB Warfield, A.A. Hodge and J. Gresham Machen. But at the same time we have the other side of the debate from liberals like Harry Emerson Fosdick. Nichols also takes you back to some of the most important developments of the past couple of hundred years in these battles. His unpacking of the ‘new evangelicalism’ and the events that surrounding Fuller Seminary’s departure from historic biblical orthodoxy were both riveting and troubling. The reader is reminded afresh of the hot coals that still burn today in this battle and the need to continue to work hard on such important issues. So in this sense it refreshes you with the doctrines, informs you of the issues, reminds you of the battles, and charges you to be faithful in both understanding and defending inspiration, inerrancy and interpretation.
Overall the book was a very enjoyable read. It really combined three of Nichols’ strengths as a writer. He is doctrinally precise, an astute historian, and a terrific writer. Many people may not get too excited about a book on this subject but Nichols not only makes it informative but quite enjoyable. In my opinion, at a minimum pastors need to refresh themselves on the doctrine of Scripture at least annually. Here the author serves you by making it easy.
You can pick it up at Amazon or Westminster Books depending on your preference (both are on sale).
As you read the 119th Psalm you quickly realize this guy was incredibly passionate and transparent with God. One might rightly say he actually knew God and was known by him. Therefore as followers of the same God, believers living today do well to emulate his pattern of seeking divine pleasure in all things through the intimate study, meditation and proclamation of the word of God and the God of the word. I have found personally that the 119th Psalm is a great personal revival tool; for if I cannot pray as the Psalmist there must be something clogging my spiritual windpipe, I must therefore search for this impediment and remove it that I may think God’s thoughts after him.
As the Psalmist grows in his knowledge and understanding of God he grows in his love for God, the Scriptures, and obedience! It becomes a wonderfully designed conduit of praise. Think about it: God reveals himself in the Scriptures, which are then read by us his creation, he then causes there hearts to respond to this truth, even converting them and then he gives them food daily that nourishes and inflames appetites for divine glory….and the more you eat the more you want!! The more you stoop and taste at the fountain of God’s delights the more you realize that the taste is unparalleled and the well is inexhaustible (Jn. 4). Therefore, we as believers are to linger long at the spring of God and enjoy fresh water from his word as often as possible, knowing that it nourishes, satisfies, and is inexhaustible.
This past weekend I was struck by the words as we were singing the hymn The Wondrous Cross. Specifically the verse that says:
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