While it wasn't a perfect book, I am inclined to give it 5 stars because it is one of the most accessible, readable, yet academically sound accounts of the concept of the "tradition," its confluence with the Bible and the church, and its relationship to Protestantism that I have read. I'm not exactly new to this material, and, being that I'm something of a "high church evangelical" (make of that term what you will), Williams is largely preaching to the choir in my case. Yet I still learned a lot and was introduced to a ton of helpful resources. I do have some questions as to how effectively his approach speaks to the segments of the church he's trying to reach; occasionally I didn't love his tone or know what to make of his stance toward his own free church tradition. Still a great book, one that I will undoubtedly return to in my studies. ( )

Fascinating exculpation of the false dichotomy between Scripture and Tradition. Also interesting, although I suspect controversial, argument about the true place of sola scriptura and sola fides. Food for thought. ( )