Alumnus Casey Chalk has released his latest book, The Obscurity of Scripture: Disputing Sola Scriptura and the Protestant Notion of Biblical Perspicuity, which analyzes and disputes the doctrine of clarity inherent in the Protestant Reformation. Drawing on the historical, theological, and philosophical dimensions of the doctrine of clarity, or perspicuity, Chalk exposes the problems inherent in the doctrine and, through a consideration of Catholic teaching on the Bible, offers “the only way out” of it.
Chalk, who earned his Master’s in theology from Christendom, is the author of the acclaimed book The Persecuted, a senior contributor for The Federalist, and an editor and columnist for the New Oxford Review. In his book, Chalk guides readers through the Protestant Reformation and its five core doctrines, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria, before introducing another key doctrine: perspicuity. Upheld by all the major Reformers and a central tenet to Protestantism today, perspicuity is the idea that the Bible is clear enough that any Christian, relying on the Holy Spirit, will be able to determine at least what is necessary for salvation, if not more.
Chalk’s work catalogues and analyzes this idea while showing how the doctrine is also “confusing, erroneous, destructive, and self-defeating.” The only way out of this, according to Chalk, is to rely on Catholic Tradition.
Since release, Chalk’s book has been acclaimed by critics and readers, including by Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., of the Dominican House of Studies.
“With clear prose and authentically Christian insight, Casey J. Chalk invites his readers to reconsider their understanding of the Bible and the Church—and, consequently, their relationship with the Eternal Word,” says Fr. Cuddy. “This is a book that I will recommend to friends both Protestant and Catholic.”
Chalk’s latest adds to a growing list of books from Christendom alumni, including Mary-Rose Verret’s ’04 Witness to Love, Dr. Christopher Lane’s ’03 Callings and Consequences, and others.
Visit here to purchase Chalk’s latest book.