The Shape of Sola Scriptura

Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox apologists claim that Protestants are stuck with the chaotic individualism and insanity of modern Evangelicalism because of the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Look Inside the Book

In what shape do we find the doctrine of Sola Scriptura today? Many modern Evangelicals see it as a license to ignore history and the creeds in favor of a more splintered approach to Christian living. In the past two decades, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox apologists have strongly tried to undermine Sola Scriptura as unbiblical, unhistorical, and impractical. But these groups rest their cases on a recent, false take on Sola Scriptura. The ancient, medieval, and classical Protestant view of Sola Scriptura actually has quite a different shape than most opponents and defenders maintain. Therein lies the goal of this book—an intriguing defense of the ancient (and classical Protestant) doctrine of Sola Scriptura against the claims of Rome, the East, and modern Evangelicalism.

What People Are Saying:

"The issue of sola Scriptura is not an abstract problem relevant only to the sixteenth-century Reformation, but one that poses increasingly more serious consequences for contemporary Christianity. This work by Keith Mathison is the finest and most comprehensive treatment of the matter I've seen. I highly recommend it to all who embrace the authority of sacred Scripture." -R.C. Sproul

"Too often Evangelicals have allowed a Scripture Alone principle to become a Scripture Only principle that disparages the church's creeds and confessions. Therein lies the invaluable contribution of The Shape of Sola Scriptura. It marks a critical step forward in the renewal of a confessional consciousness among Evangelicals." -Charles P. Arand, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

"This is an important book.... I found it difficult to put down.... It would be hard to think of a better antidote to the confusion of today than this powerful testimony." -G.I. Williamson, New Horizons

"Mathison's work is an impressive defense of the classic Reformation doctrine of 'Sola Scriptura' against the claims of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy. His book is also an excellent, rigorous, scholarly, and orthodox Reformed antidote to individualistic, experiential, and non-creedal evangelicalism that clouds clear thinking about doctrinal truths." ~-Pastor Johan D. Tangelder