by William Whitaker
Available in .pdf format
Translated and Edited by REV. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, A.M.
"A Disputation on Holy Scripture" by William Whitaker is a meticulously crafted defense of the Protestant stance on Scripture, confronting the Roman Catholic Church's positions as chiefly articulated by Robert Bellarmine and Thomas Stapleton. Whitaker, a luminary in the field of Divinity and a distinguished academic of Cambridge University, offers a comprehensive and systematic dissection of the pivotal debates that delineate the Protestant Reformation from Catholic orthodoxy.
The treatise is segmented into six major questions that encapsulate the essence of the controversies surrounding Holy Scripture: the canonical books of Scripture, the authoritative editions and translations of the Scriptures, the inherent authority of Scripture, its clarity and perspicuity, the rightful interpretation of Scripture, and its sufficiency against the backdrop of unwritten traditions. Whitaker argues with fervor and erudition, grounding his assertions in a deep wellspring of biblical exegesis, patristic writings, and theological reasoning.
Central to Whitaker's argument is the assertion of Scripture's self-evident authority, emanating directly from its Divine inspiration, thus requiring no external validation from the church's magisterium to assert its truthfulness. This stands in stark contrast to the Catholic position that places the church as the interpreter and guardian of biblical truth. Whitaker champions the clarity and accessibility of Scripture, challenging the notion that it is a cryptic text reserved for a clerical elite, thus advocating for its availability in the vernacular to ensure the laity's direct engagement with the word of God.
"Disputation on Holy Scripture" serves as a clarion call for the primacy of Scripture in the Christian life, inviting believers to immerse themselves in the biblical text, confident in its capacity to guide, instruct, and sustain faith. Whitaker's work is a monumental contribution to the Reformation's intellectual heritage, offering a robust articulation of sola scriptura that resonates through the centuries.
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CONTENTS
PREFACE by the Editor ................................................................................. ix
Epistle Dedicatory to Lord Burghley............................................................ 3
Preface to the Controversies........................................................................14
Question the First of the First Controversy: Of the number of the Canonical Books of Scripture............................................................ 25
Question the Second: Of the Authentic Edition and Versions of the Scriptures.........................................................................................110
Question the Third: Of the Authority of Scripture ................................... 275
Question the Fourth: Of the Perspicuity of Scripture .............................. 359
Question the Fifth: Of the Interpretation of Scripture.............................402
Question the Sixth: Of the Perfection of Scripture, against Unwritten Traditions........................................................................................ 496
To the Reader ........................................................................................... 705
Index ........................................................................................................ 709