Who was C. I. Scofield?

Answer

Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (1843–1921) was an influential American minister. His Scofield Reference Bible, which contained helpful annotations on the text, was published in 1909. It became the standard for a generation of fundamentalist Christians and popularized dispensational theology.

C. I. Scofield had a colorful early life as a Confederate soldier who served with distinction. After the war, he served in the Kansas House of Representatives and as the U. S. District Attorney for Kansas (appointed by President Grant). However, he was forced to resign due to scandal and questionable practices. It is possible that he even served some time in jail. Scofield was a heavy drinker and abandoned his wife and children. He apparently courted another woman before his divorce (on the grounds of desertion) was finalized.

Some of the unsavory facts about Scofield’s life have been concealed by those who agree with his teachings. Conversely, those same facts have been used by others who oppose his dispensationalism to argue that he was unfit to be a minister or Bible teacher. Both of these reactions are incorrect. The accuracy or inaccuracy of Scofield’s teaching is logically distinct from his personal life. His teachings must be evaluated by the Word of God. Furthermore, the life he led before coming to Christ, even if some of his negative behavior persisted for a couple of years after his profession of faith, does not disqualify him from later ministry. John Newton also engaged in sinful behavior after professing faith, but no one is removing “Amazing Grace” from the hymnal. The key point is that in both cases, the Spirit of God began to effect change, and ultimately, the changes were evident and significant.

C. I. Scofield came to faith in Christ through the influence of an acquaintance. He began serving in Christian ministries, including the YMCA, and he assisted in organizing a D. L. Moody.

Evangelistic campaign in St. Louis. Scofield eventually became an ordained Congregational minister and continued to work with D. L. Moody.

Scofield produced several major theological works. Firstly, he wrote a book called Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, which articulates the principles of dispensational hermeneutics. Secondly, his annotated reference Bible became the standard for a generation. Lastly, his Bible correspondence course made his teaching easily accessible worldwide. All three of these works are still available today. Scofield’s influence has been amplified by his impact on Lewis Sperry Chafer, who established Dallas Theological Seminary. DTS emerged as the most prominent dispensational seminary globally; its many distinguished graduates include Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, J. Vernon McGee, Hal Lindsey, and Bruce Wilkinson.

Many dispensationalists and premillennialists still regard Scofield as a hero, although his specific form of dispensationalism is not as popular today, with progressive dispensationalism being more favored.