May we speak, in the present age, of holy scripture? And what validation of that claim can be offered, robust enough to hold good for both religious practice and intellectual enquiry? John Webster argues that while any understanding of scripture must subject it to proper textual and historical interrogation, it is necessary at the same time to acknowledge the special character of scriptural writing. His 2003 book is an exercise in Christian dogmatics, a loud reaffirmation of the triune God at the heart of a scripture-based Christianity. But it is written with intellectual rigour by a theologian who understands the currents of modern secular thought and is able to work from them towards a constructive position on biblical authority. It will resonate with anyone who has wondered or worried about the grounds on which we may validly regard the Bible as God's direct communication with humanity.

‘Webster’s book is a thought-provoking and sophisticated account of how Scripture can be read from a vigorously Trinitarian perspective.’

Source: Society for Old Testament Study

'John Webster offers convincing answers based on rigorous examination of modern secular thought and theologians past and present.'

Source: Christian Doctrine and Philosophy

'Oliver O'Donovan started the series with a superb book on 'The Just War Revisited' and John Webster continues to fly the flag - and very high indeed … Reading this book is rather like staring at a Dutch seventeenth century still life: luminously pointing to its objects, demanding a meditative and rigorous concentration, and challenging us to see things freshly and in such overwhelming detail, yet never losing the whole in the parts. It is also a very fine contribution to dogmatics …'.

Source: Reviews in Religion and Theology

'… this stimulating and thoughtful reflection from John Webster … Webster's study is important … invariably rewarding … This work must be warmly welcomed, and needs to be read by those with both high and low views of the authority of the Bible. They will all find it an unsettling, yet ultimately rewarding, experience.'

Source: The Expository Times

'This work must be warmly welcomed, and needs to be read by those with both high and low views of the authority of the Bible. They will all find it an unsettling, yet ultimately rewarding, experience.'

Alister McGrath Source: Expository Times

‘… it makes important points in a new and challenging way. Webster has engaged with the modern world and offered it a thesis which it must respect, whether it is finally persuaded by it or not.‘

Source: Churchman

'this is a powerful, elegant and urgently needed refresher course for strengthening the portestant will to engage secularism with the convictions proper to Christian faith … All orthodox Christian thinkers should appreciate Webster's commitment to the centrality of theology to understanding, hearing and reading holy scripture …'

Source: Journal of SJT