The format of the Affinity Theological Studies Conference is different from most in that papers are distributed by each of the speakers several weeks in advance. Each speaker takes twenty minutes to introduce his paper, which is followed by discussion in small groups and then a plenary session in which the speaker answers questions. The speakers on this occasion were Carl Trueman (Westminster, Philadelphia), Peter Naylor (Cardiff), Greg Beale (Westminster, Philadelphia), Stephen Clark (Bridgend), Dan Strange (Oak Hill, London) and Hywel Jones (Westminster, California). Each speaker addressed a particular topic relating to the overall theme of the conference, the doctrine of Scripture.

It is a theme which is of perpetual importance. The first ever heresy was an attack on the truthfulness of God’s word. Even prior to the fall of man, the question was asked ‘Did God really say?’ and since the fall the very same doubt has been expressed on many occasions. Time and time again, the church has had to defend the doctrine of Scripture and this generation has been no exception.

Inspired, infallible and inerrant

Up until the middle of the last century, evangelical Christians defined their doctrine of Scripture in terms of inspiration and infallibility. In more recent years however, the term ‘inerrancy’ has been introduced to clarify that the Bible is not only reliable in matters of faith and conduct but is also free from error. This latter truth has been challenged on a number of fronts, some of them being helpfully addressed in the conference.

Firstly, the concept of inerrancy has been attributed to a relatively recent, post-enlightenment theological framework and in particular to that of the nineteenth-century Princeton theologians such as A.A. Hodge and B.B. Warfield. In response to this challenge, Carl Trueman referred to the writings of theologians from Polycarp to Owen to demonstrate that although the term ‘inerrancy’ may be relatively new, the concept is one which has been embraced throughout the history of the church.

Secondly, the concept of inerrancy has been questioned because of the way in which the New Testament writers quote the Old Testament. They have been accused of simply ‘getting it wrong’, employing irresponsible hermeneutics. Using the quotation from Hosea in Matthew 2 as a test case, Greg Beale showed that Jesus and the apostles interpreted the Old Testament in line with the originally intended meaning of the Old Testament writers.    

The living and active word

It is easier, however, to see shortcomings in the doctrinal position of others than to see the weaknesses in one’s own. Although we appeared to be ‘sound and solid’ on matters such as inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy, one sensed we need to do some further thinking on a number of issues. One is our use of Scripture in the public square – something we were challenged to do more frequently by Dan Strange’s thought- (and discussion-) provoking paper. The other is the relationship between the Spirit and the word.

In our desire to see ‘greater things’ in our day, there can sometimes be a longing for the Holy Spirit to ‘anoint the word’, implying that the word needs to undergo a transformation of some kind and become something more or something other than what it is at present. But such a longing may reveal that we have forgotten that the Bible is (rather than becomes) living, active, powerful, God-breathed, the word which proceeds from the mouth of God and accomplishes what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sends it.

There is the need for a powerful, transforming work of the Holy Spirit, but is that need not in the hearts of the hearers rather than in the word? If so, should we not be praying that the Holy Spirit might be at work amongst those who hear the word, transforming hard stony hearts into good soil, soil in which the Spirit’s word will find a resting place and produce much fruit? Although we must never confuse or conflate the two, one fears we are in danger of driving a wedge between the Spirit and the word in a way which challenges a foundational tenet of the high view of Scripture that we are eager to defend – that it is, and always is, the Spirit’s word.

David Finnie is the pastor of Ebenezer Evangelical Church, Bangor.