Seminary Hill Press releases new edition of Dockery’s ‘The Doctrine of the Bible’

Nearly 30 years after its first release, Seminary Hill Press—the publishing arm of The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary—has published a new edition of The Doctrine of the Bible, written by David S. Dockery, distinguished professor of theology and scholar-in-residence of the B.H. Carroll Center for Baptist Heritage and Mission.

“Perhaps in God’s good providence, this little book may provide encouragement for some to reexamine the message of Scripture and there re-discover the drama of the redemptive message found only in Jesus Christ,” Dockery writes in the preface of the new edition. “We pray that the book will serve as a guide for others who have questions about the Bible, its meaning, and its authority. Primarily, we hope that the book will strengthen the convictions of God’s faithful people, granting them assurance of the full truthfulness and complete authority of God’s Word written as the inward work of God’s Spirit bears witness by and with the Word in our hearts.”

The new edition of the book, originally published by Convention Press in 1991 as the official doctrinal study for the Southern Baptist Convention that year, includes the original preface, a new preface, an expanded and updated bibliography, and original and new endorsements. The text of the book is largely the same as the original edition, with some updates for style, as well as minor additions, corrections, and clarifications. Like the original edition, the new edition includes a glossary of key words for each chapter.

“Since Baptists are people of the Book, we must fully understand and appreciate the perfect treasure that is the written Word of God,” said President Adam W. Greenway in his endorsement of the book. “David Dockery made a tremendous contribution toward that end when he first released The Doctrine of the Bible nearly 30 years ago. The passage of time has not diminished the relevance and importance of the topic of Scripture’s nature and authority, so I am delighted that Seminary Hill Press is making available to a new generation of Southern Baptists this critical work by an alumnus and now distinguished faculty member of Southwestern Seminary.”

In the preface of the original edition, Dockery wrote that the book was intended for “people in the church” and, for that reason, avoids technical discussions. “The book’s goal is to help people in the churches better understand the nature of the Bible so we can better understand and obey its message,” he said.

Reflecting on the period of time in which the book was originally published, Dockery writes in the new preface, “The initial volume was written during some tense years of the ‘inerrancy controversy’ in Southern Baptist life.” Although the “big questions” related to matters like the inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of the Bible have been “answered and settled” for Southern Baptist Convention leaders and “the large majority of those who serve across the SBC, some of the same questions that were at the forefront three decades ago continue to linger for some pastors and laypeople in the churches.”

Dockery notes that the book is written to “represent the best of the Baptist tradition” on the doctrine of the Bible, citing such historical Baptist notables as Benjamin Keach, Basil Manly Jr., Lottie Moon, B.H. Carroll, J.M Frost, Herschel Hobbs, W.A. Criswell, and Carl F.H. Henry.

“Southern Baptists, with all our struggles, squabbles, and shortcomings, remain a people committed to the Book. Indeed, Southern Baptists are a People of the Book,” Dockery contends.

In his endorsement, Greenway adds, “The duty of maintaining fidelity to our heritage as a people of the Book is a perennial task, and Dr. Dockery’s volume is an invaluable resource and guide for pastors and church members in this noble calling.”

A notable feature of the new edition is the inclusion of some of the endorsements of the 1991 edition, as well as new endorsements, two of which come from among the original endorsers: R. Albert Mohler Jr., then editor of The Christian Index newspaper, and Richard D. Land, then president of the SBC Christian Life Commission.

“Nearly three decades ago, I recommended this important book as ‘a stalwart restatement of scriptural authority and a trustworthy guide through the issues of revelation, inspiration, and the total truthfulness of the Bible,’” said Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “I stand by that statement. But now, I also want to underline the fact that this book made history in the Southern Baptist Convention. The Doctrine of the Bible is a powerful restatement of the evangelical Scripture principle, and it arrived just when we needed it. Now, well into the 21st century, we need it again, and I am so pleased by this new edition. David Dockery is one of the most significant theologians and intellects in the evangelical world, and this book is needed now, more than ever.”

Land, who is today president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, writes in his new endorsement, “David Dockery’s The Doctrine of the Bible was, and is, a remarkable combination of erudition and simplicity. When one knows a subject as well as Dr. Dockery does, it is often difficult to refine it down to easily digestible, yet very informative chapters. Albert Einstein is reported to have said, ‘If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.’ Clearly, Dr. Dockery understands the doctrine of the Bible, and when you read this book, you will too!”

Dockery notes in the preface some of the original endorsements are included “to remind everyone of the Southern Baptist context in which the book was written three decades ago. We trust this little book will still serve as a helpful tool for some in our current Baptist context as well.”

In addition to Mohler and Land, other endorsers of the original edition included in the new edition are: Darold H. Morgan (1924-2019), then president emeritus, Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention; James Leo Garrett, Jr. (1925-2020), professor of theology, Southwestern Seminary; John P. Newport (1917-2000), vice president for academic affairs and provost, distinguished professor of philosophy of religion emeritus, Southwestern Seminary; Robert B. Sloan, George Truett Professor of Religion, Baylor University (currently, president, Houston Baptist University); Roy L. Honeycutt (1926-2004), president, Southern Seminary; Timothy George, then dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University (currently research professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School); and Morris H. Chapman, then president, Southern Baptist Convention, and pastor, First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, Texas (currently president emeritus, Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention).

In addition to Greenway, Mohler, and Land, endorsements for the 2020 edition are offered by Robert Smith Jr., Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School; Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board; and Katie J. McCoy, assistant professor of theology in women’s studies, Scarborough College, Southwestern Seminary.

The Doctrine of the Bible ($15.99) is available for order at SeminaryHillPress.com. Discounts for bulk orders are available.