Blurb

By almost any measure, a bold and confident use of the Bible is a hallmark of Christianity. Underlying such use are a number of assumptions about the origin, nature and form of the biblical literature, concerning its authority, diversity and message.

However, a lack of confidence in the clarity or perspicuity of Scripture is apparent in Western Christianity. Despite recent, sophisticated analyses, the doctrine is ignored or derided by many. While there is a contemporary feel to these responses, the debate itself is not new.

In this excellent study, Mark Thompson surveys past and present objections to the clarity of Scripture; expounds the living God as the Guarantor of his accessible, written Word; engages with the hermeneutical challenges and restates the doctrine for today.

Contents

1. Oh Sweet Obscurity: The Absurdity of Claiming Clarity Today
2. The Effective Communicator: God as the Guarantor of Scriptural Clarity 
3. It Is Not Beyond You: The Accessible Word of the Living God 
4. Engaging the Hermeneutical Challenge 
5. The Sharp Double-edged Sword: Restating the Clarity of Scripture Today