McKane reviews the shifts in the Church's understanding of the nature and authority of its scriptures, particularly the Old Testament.
Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction;1. The foundations; 2. Andrew of St Victor; 3. William Fulke and Gregory Martin; 4. Richard Simon; 5. Alexander Gedes; Conclusion; Appendices; Notes; Select bibliography; General index; Index of modern authors; Scripture references; Index of early Christian literature.