M ore t h a n h a l f a century ago a new annotated Bible ap a significant influence in America and among English-speaking people abroad. This was the Scofield Ref erence Bible, edited by Dr. C. I. Scofield. On its title page it carried, in addition to that of the editor, the names of seven distinguished theolo gians and Bible scholars. Scofield, who in early life had been a lawyer, was converted in 1879 and entered the ministry not long after ward. His preaching was clear and concise, due in large measure to the fact that his legally-trained mind re quired him to systematize his study of the Bible and summarize its chief doctrines. A number of his friends urged him to put his teaching into writing so that it might be accessi ble to those who could not listen to him personally. In such an ordinary way the idea of his reference Bible took form. In 1903 Scofield was released by the First Congregational Church of Dallas to prepare the annotations. For the next five years, subsidized by two wealthy businessmen, he worked tirelessly, mostly in Oxford, England and Montreux, Switzerland, going over notes that he had made over a period of years, condensing them and adapting them to fit on pages of the Bible where they would be most accessible, and preparing new material. But more than those five years went into the production of the Scofield Bible. The systematic study and compre hensive notes that he had made for two decades prior to this time en abled him to accomplish the task which was, despite the other names carried on the title page, virtually a one-man project. When Scofield was not sure of his ground in this book or on that subject, he would write to one of his associates for help. For example, if a problem re
lating to Israel or O.T. prophecy arose, he would write to A. C. Gaebe- lein for advice, perhaps asking him to prepare an introduction to Hosea. Or if a matter of theology puzzled him, he might call upon James M. Gray or W. G. Moorehead for assist-
footnotes needed clarification. He wanted to present a panoramic view of the Bible that would, as he said, “ show the unity of the Book — a fact in danger of failing to be per ceived in the face of the other and more evident fact that it is made up of many books.” He felt that some system of chronology ought to be supplied, and that many cross refer ences should be added to the mar gins. Once aagin he engaged in ar duous editorial work, and a new and improved edition was brought out by the publisher in 1917. One who was of substantial help in the preparation of this 1917 edi tion, especially in revising and en larging the marginal references, was William L. Pettingill. Furthermore, Pettingill undertook to answer nu merous queries that Scofield was re ceiving and also acted as correspon dent for the Oxford University Press in matters of theology and Biblical interpretation related to the Scofield Bible. Thus it was that several years later, when a convenient occasion arose to reset the title page, an eighth name was added to the list of associate editors — William L. Pet tingill. The influence of the Scofield Bible grew impressively. Not only were ministers and other Christian work ers helped by its use, but thousands of people in all walks of life began to understand the Scriptures as they never had before. One can hardly over-estimate the spiritual impact it made. Sales continued to increase so that more than 3,000,000 copies have now been sold and used. Fifty years after the last edition of the SRB was published, the New Scofield Reference Bible is scheduled to appear — in the spring of 1967. For in 1954 the Oxford University Press, having decided that the time had come for another improved edi tion of the Scofield Bible, and follow ing consultation with various leaders
peared which was destined to exert
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Dr. C. I. Scofield
ance. But the major burden was Scofield’s. The first edition of the Scofield Reference Bible was published in 1909 by the Oxford University Press. Its sales were not large but encour aging. Soon, however, the sales cata pulted, largely through the wide Bi ble conference ministry of its editors and other itinerant speakers who commended it. Within about five years the sales rose to reach figures far beyond expectations. Meanwhile Scofield, through his own use of the Bible and suggestions from many of its readers, decided that improve ments could be made. Some of the
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MAY, 1966
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