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 New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, 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

Series preface
Author's preface
Abbreviations
1. Oh Sweet Obscurity: The Absurdity of Claiming Clarity Today
2. The Effective Communicator: God as the Guarantor of Scriptural Clairty
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
Bibliography
Index of authors
Index of scripture references