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Happily, the author manages to quote a couple of Scriptures, but these do not speak to the issues at hand. This is astonishing, considering the topic is the sufficiency of the Bible. One would think that quoting the Bible would be an important part of explaining how the Bible is sufficient.
Happily, the author manages to quote a couple of Scriptures, but these do not speak to the issues at hand. This is astonishing, considering the topic is the sufficiency of the Bible. One would think that quoting the Bible would be an important part of explaining how the Bible is sufficient.
The author thinks "sufficiency" means "the end of revelation." He never demonstrates this.
Nor does he actually get to the central thesis of his article. He spends a lot of time discussing the "sufficiency" part, but contents himself at the end to only offer a series of undocumented bare assertions regarding the other part, "is the Bible enough for us?"
We deal extensively with "sufficiency" here, so we will try not to duplicate those arguments.
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By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit opened my heart to come to faith in Christ in my twenties. Having previously known nothing of God’s word, I wrestled for months with the nature and origin of the Bible. Finally, I could deny the glaring facts no longer. The Bible stood up to all scrutiny. It possesses an integrity and unmatched divine quality like no other piece of literature. All 66 books are the verbal plenary inspired word of God.
Immediately upon my regeneration, (Salvation?)
By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit opened my heart to come to faith in Christ in my twenties. Having previously known nothing of God’s word, I wrestled for months with the nature and origin of the Bible. Finally, I could deny the glaring facts no longer. The Bible stood up to all scrutiny. It possesses an integrity and unmatched divine quality like no other piece of literature. All 66 books are the verbal plenary inspired word of God.
Immediately upon my regeneration, (Salvation?)
I had no problem understanding that the Bible alone is the word of God. (Is this really true that the Bible alone is the word of God? Many words of God have been spoken that are not in the Bible.
Jn. 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
We have many prophets named in the NT for which there are no recorded prophecies. Nor do not have the annals of Solomon [1Kg. 11:41] or the prophecies of Saul [1Sa. 19:24]. So clearly the Bible alone is not the word of God.
The Bible is a subset of the word of God, a mere part of the totality of what God has said.
But more to the point, the use of the phrase "word of God" is too casual a reference. For example, Luke writes:
Ac. 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Did they speak the words of the Bible? No, the Bible didn't exist.
Re. 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
The Word of God is Jesus; the testimony of Jesus is the telling of the way of salvation. Perhaps we are picking nits, but a bit of precision in terms is required when we discuss these issues.)
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The Sufficiency of Scripture Defined
The sufficiency of Scripture means that the words of Scripture are, and have been throughout salvation history, ample revelation from God for people to know him savingly, answer life’s most important questions, and carry out his will in their lives. Scripture outfits humanity with everything they need to know and please God. Nothing is lacking from Scripture which man needs to know and do God’s will in life. Whether through explicit commands or implicit principles, the Bible contains everything we need for any component of human life. We do not need additional revelation from God. (The author adequately describes sufficiency up to the last sentence, None of the previous paragraph is documented with Scripture, not even the most crucial claim, the last sentence. What does he mean, "additional revelation?" What does he mean "need?" How does the gift of prophecy fit into this pronouncement?)
In article 1.6, the Westminster Confession of Faith states the sufficiency of Scripture as:
The sufficiency of Scripture does not insist that the Bible contains knowledge about every field of knowledge. To understand topics such as Newtonian mechanics, backcountry skiing, or cardio-thoracic surgery, we look outside of Scripture. However, the sufficiency of Scripture does mean that Scripture amply outfits us to apply wisdom and ethics in fields such as Newtonian mechanics, backcountry skiing, and cardio-thoracic surgery, in a manner pleasing to God. Further, all knowledge claims are subject to Scripture. If assertions from a field of knowledge contradict an assertion of Scripture, we submit to the authority of God.
God’s word does not tell us who to marry, what job to take, or into what church we should immerse. However, Scripture amply equips us to discern principles on what type of person to marry, what job to take, and how to find a New Testament kind of church pleasing to God. Though Scripture does not feature the word “transgender,” for example, it has infallible wisdom on the issue. In that sense, Scripture is sufficient.
The sufficiency of Scripture means that we must not go beyond biblical teaching. (The author incorrectly paraphrases 1Co. 4:6:
The sufficiency of Scripture means that the words of Scripture are, and have been throughout salvation history, ample revelation from God for people to know him savingly, answer life’s most important questions, and carry out his will in their lives. Scripture outfits humanity with everything they need to know and please God. Nothing is lacking from Scripture which man needs to know and do God’s will in life. Whether through explicit commands or implicit principles, the Bible contains everything we need for any component of human life. We do not need additional revelation from God. (The author adequately describes sufficiency up to the last sentence, None of the previous paragraph is documented with Scripture, not even the most crucial claim, the last sentence. What does he mean, "additional revelation?" What does he mean "need?" How does the gift of prophecy fit into this pronouncement?)
In article 1.6, the Westminster Confession of Faith states the sufficiency of Scripture as:
The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary inference may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. (The author, with no sense of his own irony, quotes an extra-biblical source.)The Limits of Scripture’s Sufficiency
The sufficiency of Scripture does not insist that the Bible contains knowledge about every field of knowledge. To understand topics such as Newtonian mechanics, backcountry skiing, or cardio-thoracic surgery, we look outside of Scripture. However, the sufficiency of Scripture does mean that Scripture amply outfits us to apply wisdom and ethics in fields such as Newtonian mechanics, backcountry skiing, and cardio-thoracic surgery, in a manner pleasing to God. Further, all knowledge claims are subject to Scripture. If assertions from a field of knowledge contradict an assertion of Scripture, we submit to the authority of God.
God’s word does not tell us who to marry, what job to take, or into what church we should immerse. However, Scripture amply equips us to discern principles on what type of person to marry, what job to take, and how to find a New Testament kind of church pleasing to God. Though Scripture does not feature the word “transgender,” for example, it has infallible wisdom on the issue. In that sense, Scripture is sufficient.
The sufficiency of Scripture means that we must not go beyond biblical teaching. (The author incorrectly paraphrases 1Co. 4:6:
Do not go beyond what is written.
What, exactly, does the author mean by not going beyond biblical teaching? And how does that enforce sufficiency? Pastors stand in pulpits and deliver sermons every Sunday containing their interpretations of Biblical matters. They do not restrict their utterances to Scripture and Scripture alone, they expound, explain, interpret, and apply Scripture.
Paul, who wrote the command contained in 1Co. 4:6, but happily he did not take his own advice. Neither did Peter, James, or John. Thankfully. Which of course means that the author is misapplying the principle.)
For example, it is correct to say that parents are commanded to raise their children in the things of Christ (Eph. 6:4). However, it is a functional denial of Scripture’s sufficiency to say, “Parents are sinning if they do not homeschool their children.” To make a matter of a conscience or preference a “must” is to breach the sufficiency of Scripture by mandating something that the Bible does not.
The Bible on Its Own Sufficiency
Throughout redemptive history, God has testified to the sufficiency of his own word.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). (This does not speak to sufficiency, only that His secrets are revealed.)
“[F]rom childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:15-17). (This speaks only to Scripture's inspiration and great value, not it being our sole source.)
“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3). (This is not about Scripture at all, it is about "His divine power!")
These verses expressly declare the sufficiency of God’s word for things like salvation and life’s issues. We could go on to cite other passages, such as Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Psalm 19:7-11, Luke 16:31, John 17:17, Colossians 1:28-9, and Hebrews 4:12. (We aren't going to bother quoting these Scriptures as has been our past practice, since none of them speak to the author's contention. All of them speak to Scripture's value or uniqueness, but not the author's contention that we only have the word of God and nothing else.
The Bible on Its Own Sufficiency
Throughout redemptive history, God has testified to the sufficiency of his own word.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). (This does not speak to sufficiency, only that His secrets are revealed.)
“[F]rom childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:15-17). (This speaks only to Scripture's inspiration and great value, not it being our sole source.)
“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3). (This is not about Scripture at all, it is about "His divine power!")
These verses expressly declare the sufficiency of God’s word for things like salvation and life’s issues. We could go on to cite other passages, such as Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Psalm 19:7-11, Luke 16:31, John 17:17, Colossians 1:28-9, and Hebrews 4:12. (We aren't going to bother quoting these Scriptures as has been our past practice, since none of them speak to the author's contention. All of them speak to Scripture's value or uniqueness, but not the author's contention that we only have the word of God and nothing else.
We also note the irony of the author attempting to negate "additional revelation" by citing verses that themselves are prophecies, or written by prophets, or expressed in an environment where active prophecy was the norm. In other words, these verses all come during non-cessationist times, prior to the canon of the NT.
With additional irony, the author's own article is extra-biblical, yet we are supposed to accept it.)
Additionally, the way in which individuals in Scripture use Scripture declares its own sufficiency. For example, in Matthew 22:31 Jesus demonstrated that Exodus 3:6 is sufficient to address the Sadducees’ issue with the resurrection. Peter demonstrates the sufficiency of Scripture in Acts 2:25-28 to prove the foretelling of Jesus’ resurrection. (*Sigh* The author inserts his predilections. Jesus was appealing the authority of Scripture, not its sufficiency. In addition, Jesus' own words were new revelation!
And Peter appeals to Joel as a fulfilled prophecy in Acts 2:25-28, but he does not appeal to or describe Scripture's sufficiency. Again we note the author's irony, since Joel's prophecy describes widespread prophecy in these Last Days. How that demonstrates "sufficiency" is a mystery.
We no longer have faith in the author's ability to reason.)
Sufficient for Salvation
Scripture is sufficient to the point that one cannot be saved without it. God’s word provides all that is necessary for conversion (Ps. 19:7, 2 Tim. 3:15). (We are going to relent and quote the Scriptures, since the author seems reluctant to do it.
Sufficient for Salvation
Scripture is sufficient to the point that one cannot be saved without it. God’s word provides all that is necessary for conversion (Ps. 19:7, 2 Tim. 3:15). (We are going to relent and quote the Scriptures, since the author seems reluctant to do it.
Ps. 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
2Ti. 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
These verses do not demonstrate the author's point. His assertion was that one cannot be saved without Scripture. In fact, people get saved without Scripture all the time, since Scripture is not universally available. In fact, the preaching of the Gospel usually precedes the person opening a Bible.
Salvation does not come by the Scripture itself. The gospel is communicated in Scripture or according to it, and the Holy Spirit makes it life-giving to the person.
More to the point, it is the Holy Spirit that regenerates the man unto salvation. The Gospel message is enlivened in the sinner's heart. That Gospel comes from the Bible, but the Bible does not and cannot save us.)
It is sufficient enough to bring about the birth of the new soul in salvation (Jas. 1:19, (sic) 1 Pet. 2:23). (Again we quote the Scripture:
Ja. 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
1Pe. 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
The author finally provides a relevant Scripture, one of the two referenced. It's about time. But James is likely telling us about the spoken word, not the written Scriptures. Especially since the NT did not yet exist. And of course, the verse says "through the word of truth," not "by the word of truth."
The second Scripture, however, doesn't make any sense to his point.)
That cannot be said about any writing in existence.
(The author embarks on a long and uninteresting explanation, which we redacted.)
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The sufficiency of Scripture means that the revealed will of God is to be discerned through Scripture. God has given us the Bible as the instrument for making decisions pleasing to him. We need not fear that God has short-changed us. He is so good that he has confined the area of knowing his will within the 66 books of Scripture. He has not left us to a capricious and arbitrary hunt. When it comes to discerning God’s will, the sufficiency of Scripture renders off-limits things like feelings, “a peace about it”, enticing circumstances, whims, dreams, visions, and miracles. With the help of prayer, counselors, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit, we discern issues of life and godliness from Scripture explicitly or implicitly. ("With the help of prayer, counselors, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit..." The author just ceded his whole case. There are other resources besides the Bible. He therefore doesn't believe in the sufficiency of Scripture.)
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