3 Things To Know About Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Once Cyrus Ingerson Scofield converted to Christianity, he began a long journey throughout the course of his life to educate people on biblical understanding. This took many different forms and had a lasting effect on many people, even long after his death. Here are three things to know about Cyrus Ingerson Scofield.

He Published the Scofield Reference Bible

In 1909, Scofield published the Scofield Reference Bible. This was a huge accomplishment for a man with as little formal training and education as he had. On every page are references that index specific highlights of the biblical narrative. This was revolutionary to how people read the Bible, as they previously didn’t have access to this outside knowledge. Having access to Bibles such as these would go on to influence such versions such as the large-print, wide-margin Bibles for easier study and reference.

He Wanted To Encourage Biblical Knowledge Among the Masses

Because Scofield himself lacked formal education, he felt everyone should have the opportunity to gain knowledge. So he made it his life goal to expose the masses to the biblical narrative from his reference Bible. He thought this would bring enlightenment to people who had not previously been exposed to this information.

He Founded the Philadelphia School of the Bible

Scofield’s passions grew to such lengths that, with the proceeds from his reference Bible, he founded the Philadelphia School of the Bible in 1914. What’s uniquely interesting about the founding of this school was that it brought about dispensational premillennialism, which is still present today, in America. Dispensational premillennialism outlines the coming reign of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition. According to belief, this will happen after the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming. After Scofield’s death, several of his protégé would go on to found the Dallas Theological Seminary, whose formal education is rooted in this dispensationalism.

C. I. Scofield lived an interesting life, but one thing he was adamant about was education, specifically biblical education. This article has showcased the three things to know about Cyrus Ingerson Scofield and his life, which affected the world.