Why a course in bibliology? Everybody knows the Bible is Divinely inspired. If the term "everybody" means everybody in a local New Testament Baptist church, then there is a great amount of truth in the statement. If the term has reference to all professing to be Baptists, then the term loses much of its scope, and, if meant to apply to Christendom in general, the term not only suffers further loss in identifying those which hold to the great truth of Divine inspiration, but it would be more correct to say, in reference to so-called Christendom no one believes this great truth. Thus it is, this feeble effort is sent forth with the hope of encouraging those who are settled and grounded in this truth, and with the hope of inciting new Christians in whose hands these pages may come to diligently consider the subject.
    This doctrine (Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures) has been, for nearly 2,000 years, and, is yet today, one of the chief distinctives which set Baptists apart from Romanism and Protestantism. Roman Catholicism proudly places their traditions on an authoritative level with the Bible and their papal dogmatism above the authority of Holy Writ.
    Protestantism while claiming primacy for the Bible in their creeds, have by their many and varied inventions, reduced the Bible to a mere souvenir of the past. It would be an expression of kindness to say Protestantism questions the Divine authority of the Bible. The sad fact is, with protestantism, the Bible is fallible, frustrating and fallacious. With true Baptists, the Holy Scriptures are the recognized authority and the only court of appeal in regard to Christian faith and practice.
    Baptists not only hold that the Scriptures are separated from all other literature by virtue of the authority Divinely ascribed to them, but that the Bible is THE only book which can be correctly described: Holy, Sacred or Divine. The Bible not only contains the Word of God, the Bible is the Word of God.
    To the person who really desires to know, love and obey the Truth, God has promised, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32). Do not let the title of this course deter you. The word "Bibliology" simply means, regarding this course; an account of the Bible. Baptists accept without a single reservation, the testimony of Scripture as to the origin and purpose of the Bible. The inerrant record reveals that, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17). So, the indispensable text book for this course is the Bible. The Bible is the only Book which Baptists study with a completely objective mind. All other literature is studied objectively. Yet, there is much to be gained from the uninspired writings of faithful and God honoring men. With this thought in mind I have taken much of the subject matter of this course from A. T. Pierson's great book titled, The Bible and Spiritual Criticism. You, as a student of this course will need this book. It can be purchased from almost any religious book store. It is concise and economically priced. If you are unable to obtain one, let me know. I will do my best to provide you with one. However, the course is designed so as the student can successfully complete it without any text book except the Bible.
    It is my prayer that God will use this course to magnify His Precious Word.

Oscar B. Mink
219 North Street
Crestline, Ohio 44827