The Bible In the Post-Christian World (Part 4): What Authority Does The Bible Have?
In Part 3 of this series, we looked at two errant views of the Authority of Scripture. In brief, the two errant views are that our own inner light is the supreme authority, or that the tradition of the church is an authority equal to or above that of the Bible. In this post we pick up on that theme and look at the right view of the Bible’s authority along with some objections to that.
Sola Scriptura
Over against these two errant positions is the Reformation belief in “Sola Scriptura”, or “Scripture Alone”. As we saw earlier, Luther believed that there was no greater authority than that of the Bible itself. He believed that not even the Pope or the Tradition of the Church could bind his conscience. Instead, only the witness of Scripture through the work of the Spirit could do such a thing. This has been a consistent stance within the Protestant movement.
But, there are some questions that arise because of this position. First, does Scripture really reveal itself to be the final authority? Second, how is this position any different than the “Inner Light” position? And finally, does this position reject all authority outside of the Scripture?
If Inspired, then Supreme
To the question of the witness of the Bible itself, we need look no further than 2 Tim. 3:10–17. In this text, Paul exhorts Timothy to remember his roots, how he was raised to know the “sacred writings”, and that those writings are able to do many things for him. First, in verse 15, he says that they are able to “make him wise for salvation.” Second, in verse 16, he says that the Scriptures are beneficial for “teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.” And finally, he says in verse 17 that the end of these benefits is that the man of God would be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Now, notice the basis for this claim at the beginning of verse 16. Why are the Scriptures beneficial for these things? They are so because they are “God breathed”. The Greek word here is “theopneustos”, which means “breathed out by God”. The words of the Scriptures were the very breath of God. This is why they have authority. They do not have authority because they resonate throughout the centuries, or because they have pleasant thoughts, but because they are God’s words.
We cannot miss the importance of what Paul is telling Timothy here. He is first pointing Timothy to the Scriptures for personal salvation and holiness. Second, he is pointing to the Scriptures as the rule for any man’s faith and practice. This passage is also important because of the context surrounding it. Paul is exhorting Timothy not to give up on the teachings that he has received, and not to stray from the preaching of the Word. In fact, in just one verse further, we find that Paul exhorts Timothy to “preach the Word” as the basis of his ministry and his defense against false teachers. There is a sharp contrast drawn here between the false teachers who abandon the Scriptures and Timothy, who should teach them “in season and out of season”.
The Scriptures are the rule of the faith. Jesus pointed to them as the final appeal in his temptation, in his arguments with the religious leaders, and even on the cross. The apostles exhorted their followers to search them, to know them, and to obey them as the final appeal against all false teaching. So, we see from Scripture that it does reveal itself to be the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.
What Is Good for The Goose…
So, are we saying anything different from those who believe in the Inward Light? In short, yes. The distinct difference is that they would appeal to their own inner light as the supreme guide and interpreter of Scripture. They are trying to read their meaning into Scripture, if they read Scripture at all. There is no real struggle with a text like Rom. 1 or 1 Tim. 2 because their own experiences interpret (or more likely explain away) the meaning and relevance of these passages.
The claim of the Reformation is that Scripture is to tell us how to understand our own lives, not the other way around. We are to allow the Revelation of God in Scripture to dictate who we are, rather than allowing our preferences and life choices to dictate who the God of the Bible should be.
Sola Scriptura, not Nuda Scriptura
Do we then fall prey to the concerns of the Roman Catholic Church when they warn that an understanding of Scripture that is not anchored in the Tradition of the Church is subject to all sorts of heresies? The sad truth is that there are many times that the Protestant church has fallen prey to a syndrome I call “Me and My Bible”. We only need to look back a century and a half to a teenager named Joseph Smith who went up into the mountains of New York to seek God on his own and find out which was the true religion. Out of that came the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Heretical churches such as the Campbellites and the Jehovah’s Witnesses can all be traced back to a single person who decided to throw off all tradition and authority and find God on their own.
But, are we rejecting other authorities by affirming Sola Scriptura? Many have pointed out that the doctrine of Sola Scriptura is not the same as Nuda Scriptura (the naked Scripture, or Scripture and nothing else). What the Reformers said is that the Scriptures were the supreme authority over all other traditions. They did not say those traditions were therefore invalid. In fact, the Bible itself tells us to listen to other authorities. It tells us to listen to our parents and masters (Eph. 6:1), to Creation (Rom. 1:18–21), to our pastors (Heb. 13:17), and to government officials (Rom 13:1), among others. The distinction is that while those authorities are good and ordained by God, they can never be placed above the Word of God. If your Muslim father commands you to recant your faith in Christ, you must reject his authority for that of God’s Word. If your science professor attempts to persuade you that there is no causality to existence, you must object because of the revelation of Scripture. If your pastor teaches that the virgin birth is metaphorical, then you must oppose him based on the witness of Scripture. If your government commands you to confess Caesar is a god so that you might receive a business certificate, you must starve, if need be, to remain faithful to the truth of the Bible.
We do understand the meaning of Scripture in conversation with those who have gone before us in the faith, whether that be through the writings of the Church Fathers, the ancient creeds and confessions, our own denomination’s confession of faith, or our pastor’s leadership. But, none of those statements and teachings have final authority for our faith and practice. Only the Bible does.
Conclusion
Scripture is the final authority in the life of the Christian. While we may listen to wisdom from a friend, be moved by a wonderful piece of art, or be encouraged by a beautiful song, yet no amount of emotion or personal affection should draw us away from submission to God’s Word. While we may be edified by our pastor’s preaching, assured by quoting the Apostle’s Creed, find support from the ancients, or be reproved by the ecumenical councils, yet no amount of wisdom or insight can overpower the authority of the Bible.
