e-Sword 9+ Module Download:
Download Turretin, Francis - 21 Questions on Doctrine of Scripture 1.0

• How do I view e-Sword Modules? Download the e-Sword Module Installer

Author:
Turretin, Francis

e-Sword Version:
9.x - 10.x

21 Questions on The Doctrine of Scripture

by Francis Turretin (1623-1687)

00.1 Introduction by Paul Rittman
01 The Necessity of Verbal Revelation
02 The Necessity of Scripture
03 The Divine Imperative of Written Revelation
04 The Authority of Scripture
05 Apparent Contradictions in Scripture
06 The Knowledge of Scriptural Authority
07 The Preservation of the Canon
08 The Canonicity of the Old Testament
09 The Canonicity of the Apocrypha
10 The Purity of the Original Text
11 The Authentic Version of Scripture
12 The Authenticity of the Hebrew Text
13 The Need of Translations
14 The Authenticity of the Septuagint
15 The Authenticity of the Vulgate
16 The Perfection of Scripture
17 The Perspicuity of Scripture
18 The Reading of Scripture
19 The Meaning of Scripture
20 The Supreme Judge of Controversies and the Interpreter of Scripture
21 The Authority of the Fathers

Synopsis of "21 Questions on the Doctrine of Scripture" by Francis Turretin

Francis Turretin’s "21 Questions on the Doctrine of Scripture" offers a comprehensive and systematic exploration of the nature, authority, inspiration, and sufficiency of Scripture, reflecting the Reformed theological tradition. Turretin's work aims to clarify key doctrinal points regarding the Word of God, emphasizing its divine origin, reliability, and role in the life of the believer and the church.

The first set of questions establishes the divine authority of Scripture. Turretin affirms that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, uniquely authoritative because it proceeds from divine inspiration. He emphasizes that Scripture is not merely human words but is divinely dictated, with God’s Spirit guiding the writers. This divine origin makes Scripture the ultimate standard for faith and practice.

Next, Turretin discusses the nature of inspiration in detail. He affirms the doctrine of plenary, verbal inspiration—that every part of Scripture is inspired, including words and details, not merely general ideas. This inspiration ensures the inerrancy of Scripture, meaning it is free from error in all that it affirms, especially concerning salvation and divine truth. Turretin also distinguishes between the material and formal aspects of inspiration, asserting that inspiration affects the content (material) and the manner (formal) in which Scripture is communicated.

The questions then explore the authorship of Scripture, emphasizing that while human authors wrote the texts, they did so under divine guidance. This dual authorship preserves the human element, with the writers using their own personalities and styles, but they did so through the influence of the Holy Spirit, ensuring the divine message remains intact.

Turretin then addresses the canon of Scripture, affirming that the canon is divinely established and that the books included are authoritative because of their divine inspiration and apostolic approval. He discusses the criteria for canonicity, such as apostolicity, orthodoxy, and widespread acceptance among the churches.

The doctrine of sufficiency and clarity is a central theme. Turretin asserts that Scripture is sufficient for salvation and Christian living, providing all necessary truth for faith and practice. Furthermore, the clarity (or perspicuity) of Scripture means that its essential teachings are understandable to all believers, not just scholars, through the aid of the Holy Spirit.

The work also covers the preservation and transmission of Scripture, affirming that God preserves His Word through divine providence, despite human imperfections in copying and translating. This preservation guarantees that the Scriptures we possess today are faithful and reliable.

Turretin emphasizes the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, asserting that Scripture cannot deceive or be mistaken in matters of faith and salvation. He discusses the importance of interpreting Scripture correctly, advocating for a literal and grammatical interpretation, especially on fundamental doctrines.

Finally, Turretin discusses the role of Scripture in the life of the believer and the church, highlighting its authority in worship, doctrine, and personal conduct. He underscores that Scripture is the foundation of Christian orthodoxy and the ultimate guide for understanding divine truth.

In summary, Turretin’s "21 Questions on the Doctrine of Scripture" systematically defends the divine, inspired, authoritative, and sufficient nature of Scripture. It remains a foundational text for understanding Reformed perspectives on biblical doctrine, emphasizing that Scripture is the infallible and trustworthy Word of God necessary for salvation and sanctification.

The following article has been extracted from Turrettin's Institutio Theologiae Elencticae. The title of this section is 21 "questions" about Scripture Locus II of Institutio of Theologiae Elencticae, Beardslee, J.(ed. & trans.), (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981)

scanned by Paul Rittman
Taken from
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/turr_scripture.html
reformatted for e-Sword by David Cox.