Doctrine of Scripture - Part 3

Authority has been, and more recently so, used in such a liberal fashion

DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE

III. Authority of Scripture

Authority has been, and more recently so, used in such a liberal fashion that society is at deep hunger for a solid answer to the question: Is there an absolute authority and who holds it?

Secular philosophers view the supernatural and God as a mythical idea and accredits all happenings to a natural process of ultimate reality. This means that everything would be relative, including the Bible and the absolute truths of God. It is said that these historic and present truths can be described as merely cultural phenomenon. This would bring one to the conclusion that humans, within themselves, are the source of their own destinies and values. Their understanding of the universe and creation is that they are accidents of the cosmos. Therefore, there would be no pre-existing standard of way of life, leaving the individual with the freedom to declare whatever living standards they so please.

Not only does this philosophy decline divine truth, it insists upon self-fulfillment and opposes any external authority. It is evident that the human race has dealt with this since its origin; Adam and Eve. The difference is that this revolt was recognized as sin, not a philosophical “special knowledge”.

Interesting enough, if the universe and all within is a meaningless, purposeless cause, how could one find a self-fulfillment in something that has no purpose? There can only be a sense of fulfillment in an individual if that individual was created with that desire; a purpose. Ultimately, this desire can only be satisfied in Spirit, that is, the Spirit of God. This is the fulfillment in Christ Jesus; His gift of life and hope of final glory.

Though the Bible is the clearest reminder of our responsibility to account for ourselves, let us not forget God’s authority is revealed in the most intricate aspects of the universe. This flows from the beginning of time to now and will continue to, as well as in our own inner conscience.

The Bible (not ourselves) is the most understandable resource when it comes to our significance and the purposes of God. All this is revealed in the messages of God’s comprehendible Word. It is the sole source by which we have an understanding of a “divine revelation” and a Creator-Redeemer God who holds supreme authority. An opposition to this creates a rebellious state of mind and centers itself on “personal preference”.

THE BIBLE IN THE MIRROR

The bottom line of the Bible’s authority rests on God’s valid truths made known to man. To take the Bible’s text and messages in doses of isolated concepts isn’t enough. There must be a world view and a distinct nature in which we recognize God speaking to us. Some common examples of sentences are such as, “Thus saith the Lord” and “I say unto you”.

Though the New Testament doesn’t speak in words that are “verbatim” to the Old Testament, it carries the same authoritative weight. It reveals this to us throughout the New Testament and does so in more than just a “suggestive” way. It aligns itself with “other Scriptures” (2Pet. 3:15-16), let alone Jesus’ statements of how he speaks only what the Father has spoken (John 14:24).

Never did Jesus nor the apostles distinguish between their spoken and their written teaching, but proclaimed their inspiration and authority to be the Word of God. It is clear that the Bible views itself as the authoritative Word of God; both New and Old Testament combine.

THE QUESTION OF INFALLIBILITY

The original Biblical authority has been severely mishandled by those who (1) question its accuracy, divinity and (2) extremists who submerge the Bible into their view of true and false Christianity. Evangelical Christian orthodox should uphold divine inspiration with sound criticism of legitimacy and waiver personal presumptions. It should embrace the infallibility of Scripture as the Bible views itself. What it should not do is refuse those who don’t share the same commitment of doctrine, nor should it pronounce them heretic.

Even so, adhering to Jesus’ teaching, one would automatically assume Jesus’ view of Scripture. Jesus’ teachings cannot be accepted partial to personal preference. A reluctancy to the full view and reliability of Scripture may cause an unhealthy world view of Jesus and the Bible. His purpose, that is: he died and bodily rose for the redemption and forgiveness of sinners.

The world view of the Bible is fully divine and fully trustworthy. It proves so in its very own nature. To compromise its truthfulness is to compromise its authority. With it being the “fulfillment” (Matthew 5:17) of the Old Testament, Scripture holds itself high above mere allegations and assumptions.

RECENT CHALLENGES

Scripture has been recently compromised by the allowance of a “cultural relevance” teaching. Some of Paul’s teachings were considered “cultural relevant”, therefore it would open a door for an individual to view Paul’s teachings as a limited perspective. Some of the traditions were recognized as just traditions, as to some, they were elevated to a norm. Some of these traditions were clearly stated that they were crucial to reflect on God’s Word. Whatever the case, the Biblical writers taught out of divine inspiration, not human initiation.

The problem lies in the belief that the Bible is merely “culture dependent”, leaving no clear distinction between authoritative and non-authoritative teaching and/or doctrine. Another perspective remains that Scripture is only relative to “inner transformation”, aside from its over all authority. This view says that Scripture is not all complete, yet all equal. It denies an external authority outside of self. Needless to say, this view is contradictory to itself. On one hand you have complete and incomplete Scripture, and on the other hand they are all equal. Evidently, by default, it throws out the Bible’s objective truth. Then this remains; no apparent reason for life transformation whatsoever.

It is impossible to dismiss authority from the Bible while adhering to any of its teachings. The history and making of the Bible is completely distinct from any other religions or philosophy. It is the Word of God. Throughout history and to this day, it has been the most printed, most translated and most read book ever. It has proven its accuracy in multiple peoples and its redemptive message time and time again. The ministry that the Bible proclaims has grown, is growing and will continue to do so (Matthew 24:25) by the doctrine in which it stands and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is the conclution to my 3 part series of the Doctrine of Scripture. I hope you have enjoyed them all, and if you haven't read the others, it helps to read them in sequence.

God bless you all!