The Authority of the Bible for Christians
A research paper by Patrick Shawhan, presented in November, 2011
Introduction
Since its original canonization, no book has been translated into more languages, bought by more people, or caused so much controversy as the Bible. In fact, while it would probably be impossible to measure, it would not surprise this author to find out that more copies of the Bible have been burned, torn apart, or trampled than the next best-seller has even produced altogether. Why has there been such hostility against the Bible for all these years? Well, it is likely due to the extreme implications that its pages entail. With the eternal destruction of unbelievers and the sovereignty of God over all of creation, there are many that wince over such a fate. However, this paper is not written to address the disgraceful manner with which unbelievers and God-haters treat the Bible. Rather, this paper has in mind the disgraceful manner with which many Christians treat the Word of God. As Millard Erickson puts it, “Because it conveys his message, the Bible carries the same weight God himself would command if he were speaking to us personally. (Erickson, 271)” Therefore, anyone claiming to be a follower of Christ ought to have, as his/her primary authority, the Holy Bible. Moreover, it is the contention of this paper that there is no higher authority available to Christians than the Bible.
Concerning skeptics
There are many who would seek to discredit the Bible as authoritative. This has typically been an activity of unbelievers, who would love to make Christians appear foolish. These are the individuals that love to point out the supposed fallacy regarding the logical circularity that exists when the Bible declares itself authoritative. Simply put, these critics find it distasteful when the answer is given “Because it says so” to the question “How do you know the Bible is true?” However, what these critics fail to realize is that every epistemological system at its very foundation must be circular. After all, if some other authority on knowledge can verify the supposedly primary authority on knowledge, then isn’t the verifying authority in effect the primary authority? In other words, if human reason is the primary authority on knowledge, then the only answer that can be given to the question “Why should reason be the primary authority on knowledge” is “Because it seems reasonable to make it so”. Such is the case with every epistemology. There is not space here to further elaborate on this point, but suffice it to say that the apparent circularity of the Biblical authority verifying itself should not damage the intellectual credibility of Christianity. (Grudem, 79)
However, skeptics are not the only individuals attacking the authority of Scripture. There are a great many professing believers in the world today that subjugate the Scripture’s authority by inflating the authority of church traditions, leadership, or personal experience. This attack is far more subtle and no less dangerous. It is for this reason, along with many others, that the sufficiency of Scripture must be appropriately understood.
Concerning the sufficiency of Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”2 Tim 3:17 “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (NASB)
Paul’s purpose in writing his second epistle to Timothy was to encourage him to be a man of God, even in the face of hardship. This book was written to Timothy as he was facing his own death, and thus much of what he has to say concerns facing persecution and suffering. Paul demonstrates the supremacy of life in Christ by reminding Timothy what it looks like to be a man of God. A man of God must have considerable perseverance, and Paul lists himself as an example of such. There are several patterns that Paul provides concerning what it looks like to live as a man of God, including the pattern of the soldier, athlete, farmer, and worker. Most importantly, Jesus is the greatest example of a man of God facing persecution. He also warns Timothy to avoid apostasy by continuing to preach the Scriptures and teach the gospel. (Carson, 577-581)
The passage here in consideration falls immediately after Paul describes the difficulty Christians will have living adequately Christ-like in the last days. Sinfulness will abound and sufferings will be prevalent. Into this context Paul inserts perhaps the most important text given in all of Scripture concerning the authority of the Bible.
Verse sixteen begins with the profound statement, “All Scripture is inspired by God…” It is important to note that the word used here for “Scripture” is typically a reference specifically to the Old Testament. However, in 1 Timothy 5:18 Paul set the precedent for using that same word with the New Testament writings in mind, quoting Luke alongside Moses and claiming them both as “Scripture” (Shultz). Therefore the scope of Paul’s meaning is clear. Whatever this passage says about Scripture, its referent is the entire Bible. Moreover, the phrase “inspired by God” is not referring to the kind of inspiration a muse might offer a poet. Nor is it referring to the kind of inspiration a coach might offer his/her team in a motivational speech. Rather, Paul seems to invent a new word to describe the inspiration he has in mind. Paul combines the Greek words meaning “God” and “ breathe” into “theopneustos”. Paul is saying that Scripture is literally breathed out by God (Barker, 915).
Verse sixteen continues as Paul elaborates on his description of Scripture. He describes Scripture as “profitable” in four specific ways: for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. It is significant to note that Paul does not add anything to this equation. There is no other predicate which needs to be combined with Scripture to ensure the profit. Moreover, the listed profits of Scripture seem to envelop every necessary aspect of discipleship. “Teaching” includes all doctrines that a Christian has need to understand. “Reproof” refers to the conviction a Christian ought to feel towards sinfulness. “Correction” refers to the necessary restoration that follows the reproof. “Training in righteousness” includes whatever is necessary for a Christian to develop the discipline to live according to God’s standards (Vincent, 2 Tim 3:16).
Verse seventeen clarifies the purpose of the qualities of Scripture Paul sets forth in verse sixteen. Paul uses the Greek hina alongside a present subjunctive form of eimi to express the purpose statement (Robertson, 2 Tim 3:17). He makes it clear that the purpose of the inspiration and profitableness of Scripture is so that Christians “may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” The Greek word here translated “adequate” could also be understood as “competent,” “perfect,” or “complete.” Paul clarifies the meaning of “adequate” with the prepositional phrase describing it - “equipped for every good work.” Barker and Kohlenberger say it well: “The purpose of all this is so that Christians will be completely ready to meet the demands of discipleship (915).”
The theological implications of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 are staggering. To begin with, for Paul to say that Scriptures are God-breathed means that the words of Scripture are the very words of God. Thus Scripture has all the intrinsic authority as if God were personally speaking the words from heaven (Davids, 3). Moreover, because God knows everything (1 Cor 2:10-11) and cannot lie (Titus 1:2) there can be no doubt that Scripture is absolutely inerrant. There is no false statement in all of Scripture. Indeed, there is nothing in the universe more trustworthy than the Bible, save perhaps God himself! Beyond these implications, there is also the important fact that Scriptures are profitable to produce everything within a Christian that God expects of him/her. There are no other authorities which must be added to Scripture to make up for some lack or deficiency. Scripture is entirely sufficient in and of itself to achieve the sanctification of the believer insofar as the believer adheres to it with obedience. This obedience is an important theme in the next passage to be evaluated.
Concerning the Christian’s accountability to Scripture, Hebrews 4:11-13
Heb 4:11 “Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.”Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.”Heb 4:13 “And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” (NET Bible)
The book of Hebrews was written to demonstrate the superiority of Christ and exhort the believers to stand firm in the faith despite facing persecution. Hebrews was written to what was probably a primarily Jewish congregation that was facing the potential for extreme persecution for their faith. Apparently, many within the congregation were tempted to revert back to Judaism, since it was recognized as an official religion by the Romans. In response to this, the author of Hebrews demonstrates the superiority of Jesus Christ over and above anything offered by the world or Judaism. He is superior to the angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, providing a superior priesthood, ministry, sacrifice, and faith. Ultimately, believers should expect to face persecution, but faith overcomes persecution. Moreover, Christians are the people of God and as such should expect to be reprimanded just as a father reprimands his child. In short, Jesus Christ is superior in every way, thus faith in Christ is worth suffering for. (Carson, 596-615)
The passage in question here falls toward the end of an introductory discourse on the superiority of Christ’s position over and above anything offered in Judaism. Particularly, chapter four is concerned with the spiritual rest that is offered to God’s people. Jesus Christ is presented as the provider of that spiritual rest. He has made God’s Sabbath rest available to those that place their faith in Him. It is at this point that the author of Hebrews offers this solemn charge, “Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience (NET Bible, Heb 4:11).” The Greek verb for “make every effort” is here rendered by the author as aorist, active, subjunctive. This particular structure denotes a command, thus the English rendering “we must” (Rogers, 524). The Greek word “hupodeigma” refers to a pattern in the sense of an example and warning sign (Vincent, e-sword). The author is suggesting that the failures of the Israelites of the Old Testament should be understood as warning signs to Christians. Their failures were a result of their disobedience, and because of this they failed to enter into God’s rest.
Verses twelve and thirteen go on to describe the means by which God judges individuals, discerning whether or not they can enter into that Sabbath rest. Verse twelve offers a description of the Word of God that includes several very powerful pieces of imagery. However, what is most interesting is the final phrase, “It is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart (NET Bible, Heb 4:12).” Robertson describes the Word of God as “skilled in judging, as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do. So God’s word like his eye sees the secret lurking doubt and unbelief…(Robertson, Heb 4:12).” The author is here portraying God’s Word as a judge to everything about an individual, including the hidden things.
Verse Thirteen continues where verse twelve left off, describing God’s vast perspective. The author is basically saying that absolutely nothing can possibly be hidden from God. However, in this verse the author goes one step further, describing how all believers (an all-encompassing ‘we’) must give an account to God. The Greek phrase translated as “we must render an account” could be better translated as “with whom our final reckoning has to be made (Rogers, 524).” This “final reckoning” is inextricably tied to the perspective of God and the judging of the heart that is done through the Word of God.
As was the case with the 2 Timothy 3 passage, the theological implications of Hebrews 4:11-13 are staggering. According to these verses, there is a serious danger of which Christians need to be aware – that of failing to enter the Sabbath rest due to disobedience. This passage is frequently referred to by scholars as one of several hypothetical warning passages in Hebrews. If this is in fact the case and “Sabbath rest” here refers to heaven, then it must be understood that this passage is not meant to illicit fear in the reader, as if he/she is in danger of losing salvation. This passage in no way affects the eternal security of the believer. There are too many other passages in Scripture that make a believer’s eternal security apparent (Romans 8, for example). There is not space here to elaborate on God’s persevering work on behalf of Christians. One scholar offers this conclusion to this passage: “If the readers were mere professors and
rejected Christ in order to go back to the works system of Judaism, they would be excluded from the promised kingdom age or God's rest. (Toussaint, 74)”
Whatever the case may be, these verses make it clear. Christians are going to be held accountable according to the judgment of the Word. Indeed, nothing is hidden from God, and eventually everyone will give account to Him. These facts offer powerful motivation for receiving the exhortation and entering into the Sabbath rest by obedience. If there were ever a powerfully compelling reason to adhere to the Bible as a primary authority, it must be because it will be according to the Word that all Christians are to be held accountable. Moreover, because nothing, not even evil intentions, can be hidden from the Word, a Christian ought to submit his/her thought life to the authority of the Bible, as well as his/her actions.
Concerning practical application
As has been demonstrated in this paper, Scripture is the ultimate authority for believers because it contains the very words of God, and it is by these words that Christians are going to be judged. The world today is full of deceitful messages in opposition to this conclusion. Many would suggest that no one and nothing has the right to say what is right or wrong. Others may invent their own standards and claim authority on their behalf. For instance, scientists may suggest that science ought to be the utmost authority on all things. So with the advancement of evolution, those scientists insist that survival of the fittest is the primary concern. Drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, abortion… all these things are alright as long as they lead to the advancement of the species. On the other hand, professional philosophers may insist on some other ethical behavior model as the authority on right and wrong. One may push Utilitarianism, suggesting that whatever leads to the greatest utility – or happiness – is the right decision. Another may suggest a neo-Kantianism, recommending the categorical imperative as the greatest authority on all things ethical. Still another may say that there is no true morality but what one considers right in his own eyes. The world is filled with competing authorities on right and wrong, historical truth, philosophy, etc. However, the Christian must submit every day to the authority of the word of God, treating it as the Bereans did, searching and studying it.
Christians must seek to apply the Word of God thoroughly and accurately, reading it frequently and obeying it to the letter. Because the Word of God is completely sufficient to help a believer meet every requirement God has upon Christians, and because Christians will be held accountable according to every word within it, there can be no higher authority in a believer’s life. Day in and day out believers ought to appeal to Scriptures for every need, with every moral dilemma, in good times and when life is difficult. This appeal ought to include attending a church which holds Scripture at the same level as this paper has presented, as the ultimate authority on all doctrines and morality. This appeal should also extend to all other sources of counseling and education. The only sources that should be trusted as means to better reflect Christ are those sources that uphold Scripture as the all-sufficient and inerrant Word of God. This even extends to one’s consideration of his/her own feelings and rationality. Great effort must be taken to ensure that personal feelings and human reasoning never displace the Bible as the seat of authority and object of obedience in one’s life. The Bible represents the very words of God, and it is by those words that everyone everywhere will eventually be judged. These points must not be taken lightly.
Works Cited
Barker, Kenneth L. and John R. Kohlenberger III. The Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Carson, D.A. and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2005.
Davids, Peter H. “Authority, Hermeneutics, and Criticism.” Interpreting the New Testament: Essays on Methods and Issues, edited by Black and Dockery, Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2001 (2-20).
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Robertson, A. T.. Robertson’s Word Pictures, Hebrews 4:12, accessed through e-sword.
Rogers, Cleon L. Jr., and Cleon L. Rogers III. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to
the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
Shultz, Gary. Systematic Theology I class notes. Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology, Fall 2011.
Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions. “σκηνόω” accessed through e-sword.
Toussaint, Stanley D. “The Eschatology of the Warning Passages in the Book of Hebrews.” Grace Theological Journal 3.1 (Spring, 1982): 67-80.
Vincent, Vincent’s Word Studies, Hebrews 4:11, accessed through e-sword.
So what do you think? Should the Bible have the last word on all matters for believers?
