Sola Scriptura | The Authority of the Word of God
The 66 books of the Bible have generated much controversy and debate among the church throughout history to determine its right place in the life of the Christian. Furthermore, this has not been without its attacks on its authority. Ultimately, the debate for the place and role of scripture comes down to the authority it carries. During the time of the reformation, the reformers sought to establish scripture as the final authority that all other authorities must submit to. The Catholic Church, pushing for tradition (as expressed by the Papal decrees), sought to maintain the power and authority they had amassed over the years. Yet, Luther understood that the human tradition and teachings could be done in error. Authoritative teaching, must come from the ultimate authority, God alone. Now, in our modern day, the debate is much the same as it was back then. People, while offering lip service to the bible, treat it as any other work not as divine scripture. Debates and conferences are held that, while they may say they are debating doctrine or seeing how they can work together in supposed “Christian unity,” in essence, the debate whether the word of God remains authoritative or rather if they would cave in to the societal demand of the culture.
The Bible, as the word of God, is our final authority as Christians through its inspired, inerrant, and sufficient nature. All other church authorities must submit, without contradiction, to the word of God in the Holy Scriptures. This means that, for Sola Scriptura, the bible alone maintains this level of authority that cannot overturned by tradition, human authority, or any other man-made institution. At the core of Sola Scriptura comes the nature of scripture being breathed out by God. No other text, teaching, or authority that we have will hold up to the standards of scripture. We do not worship scripture, as we should only worship the Lord, but we do revere scripture as His own self revelation given to mankind for our benefit. Scripture provides the basis for truth, teaching, and training that no person, tradition, or structure can override its authority.
The Double Edged Sword
We must be careful to never underestimate the power or the authority of the scriptures. They shape us and speak to us by the power of the Holy Spirit’s conviction within us. “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:11-13, ESV) With the word of God being a double edged sword, there is both power and danger in wielding it. Even those who have the responsibility to preach and proclaim the word of God will not find themselves outside of the power of the word of God. It cuts just as deeply. This is precisely why tradition, the church, and priests must come under the authority of the word of God. This is not to say those do not have authority, but the ultimately authority means they must continually submit themselves to the authoritative word of God.
As we interpret scripture (a complicated process), we must first ask whether we are looking to be shaped by scripture or attempting to shape scripture after ourselves. If, at the end of our seeking the meaning in scripture we find a God who looks remarkably similar to ourselves in our non-redemptive state, we have missed the truth of God stands above us. No one will find themselves immune to the words of God as they cut through to the deepest a person offers. At times, it will feel painful as the scripture reveals our inadequacies and areas where we routinely and consistently fall short. But continue to delve deeper into the scriptures. God looks at the intentions of the heart, not to condemn mankind but rather to expose and heal the hearts of mankind who have strayed from His divine truth. When we allow ourselves to be shaped by the word of God, we will find ourselves being drawn closer to God by His word. We will look more like God as we submit ourselves to His authority given to us as a blessing. We will delight in the Lord more and look to see His will done in the world around us as we submit to the authority of the word of God.
Submitting to the Word of God
Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to remain in the word of God to guide him in his pastoral ministry. Paul understood the importance of submitting to the authority of God. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17, ESV) Scripture not only informs of us reality as God intended creation to be but speaks to our sins and spurs the Spirit within us to convict us of our sins. Teaching shows us what is true and from God. Reproof calls out our sins and shows us where we have strayed from that truth. Correction guides us back into the will of God. Training strengthens us through our pursuit of God in our daily lives. Scripture demonstrates the fullness of the Gospel that shows us our need for a Savior, where we have strayed from the will of God, and provides a way home for our salvation and well being.
What we believe about scripture determines a great deal of our faith and our Christian walk. When scripture takes it rightful place as the final authority in our lives, we will see an internal tension as our flesh pushes back against the word of God. Yet, even still, we must submit to the word of God. Scripture is not a divine rule book of dos and don’ts (although there are most certainly rules to be sure) but rather is the unfolding story of God’s work on earth for the benefit of mankind. When we stray from the authority of scripture, we stray from the will of God who reveals His nature through His word. Just as Jesus Christ took on flesh and lived among the people, similarly, God provides His word plainly to reveal Himself to us and bless us in the process. We do not have to agree with scripture for it is be authoritative, it simple is authoritative by the nature of its existence and its origin from God. Paul describes the role of scripture as completing the good man and equipping them for every good work. At the heart, God desires to protect and safeguard His people and empower them to join the story of God’s work in the world. At no point does God wish to seek our destruction or act in an oppressive manner. Through out submission to the word of God and allowing it to speak to our daily lives, we will find ourselves seeking the will of God and finding our enjoyment in the nature of God that comes from knowing His heart and mind from His word.
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at nature of scripture and how we can trust in this concept of Sola Scriptura, that scripture is the only final authority for the Christian. We can trust scripture as they are the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient word offered to mankind.
