{"title":"Ben Witherington III","description":"\u003cp\u003eBen Witherington III offers insightful explorations into Christian theology and biblical scholarship, inviting readers to engage deeply with the foundations of faith. His works, such as \u003cem\u003eSola Scriptura\u003c\/em\u003e, thoughtfully examine scripture’s authority and its role in spiritual life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect a blend of rigorous academic study and accessible writing that illuminates complex religious concepts. Witherington’s books provide both thoughtful reflection and practical understanding within the broad realm of religion and spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sola-scriptura-by-ben-witherington-iii-9781481320467","title":"Sola Scriptura","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn modern times, evangelical Protestants have advocated for the belief that the Bible is the only real standard of truth and true Christian praxis for the church. But is this how the early Jews and Christians, \u003ci\u003ewho wrote the biblical books\u003c\/i\u003e, viewed their sacred texts? And what counted as those sacred texts? Furthermore, there is often a lack of clarity as to what is meant by the famous phrase that became a motto of the German Reformation: \u003ci\u003esola scriptura\u003c\/i\u003e. Does it mean that the Bible is the \u003ci\u003eonly authority\u003c\/i\u003e for Christian faith and practice, or does it mean the Bible is the \u003ci\u003efinal authority\u003c\/i\u003e, allowing non-biblical traditions, human reason, and perhaps even experience to have some authority in the church?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith this magisterial study, Ben Witherington III invites readers to go back to the time of the writing of the Bible and look at what is said about the sacred texts with a specific focus on how the authority of such texts was viewed. Witherington then walks through Christian history until the point where the phrase \u003ci\u003esola scriptura\u003c\/i\u003e actually appears as an authority claim of some kind. Surprisingly, it does not show up until the fourteenth century A.D. and not in the writings of a Protestant. From there, Witherington examines how the phrase continued to be used in the various Reformations and into the modern era. The story of \u003ci\u003eSola Scriptura\u003c\/i\u003e also involves the rise of science, the effect of the Enlightenment, and changes in views about human sexuality that have affected the discussion of the Bible's authority in various ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStudents of Scripture, budding scholars, pastors, and laity alike stand to benefit from this book as Christians of all stripes are confronted by the same crises: a \u003ci\u003eprofound historical amnesia\u003c\/i\u003e that is affecting even churches which are bibliocentric; the \u003ci\u003egeneral chaos\u003c\/i\u003e in Western culture that has further alienated younger generations from the church and angered the older generations who still attend church; and the \u003ci\u003eincreasing biblical illiteracy\u003c\/i\u003e in the church, including in its pulpits, which has led to churches taking their signals and sense of direction from the culture rather than the biblical witness itself. Such crises will not be overcome without a serious coming to grips with the Bible, its history, and its authority for the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47934215422188,"sku":"9781481320467","price":83.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781481320467-sola-scriptura.jpg?v=1783906924"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/ben-witherington-iii.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}