Day 6- 3/6 SOLA SCRIPTURA- THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 4:6- “Do not go beyond what is written.”
2 Peter 1:21-
What is this idea of Sola Scriptura? It is the idea that God’s Word Alone is our authority for what we believe and what we do.
The Bible is the primary way we hear from God today. It is an ancient book. Because it is ancient it is proven and tested. Calvin’s idea of the authority of scripture was found not in the ancient words themselves, but in the Holy Spirit’s illuminating the words to us. The Holy Spirit inspired the words at the time of their writing- using the author’s language, educational background, writing skills, and context. But the Holy Spirit makes the ancient words come alive- allowing us to believe them, apply them, live by them. There is a danger in denying that the scripture is accurate, or denying that we should not pay any attention to it at all. Such an attitude shows a lack of respect to the Church of the past (both the Biblical church and the church that believed and followed the Bible) and to Jesus who said, "Thy Word is truth." There is also danger in trying to make the Bible so wooden that it cannot live and breathe into our situation. The Spirit not only inspires Scripture-- The Spirit also inspires us. However, words mean something. The illumination of the Spirit does not contradict the inspiration of the Spirit. In other words the Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn. 4:4), and does not promise one thing and then break the promise. The Spirit does not make one command then later say the opposite is true. Just as the Covenants remain, the promises remain, and the words and basic meanings remain. The words of scripture may have different nuances and emphases as we age, as we face different circumstances, and as the Holy Spirit leads us. Scripture can speak to us with authority unlike any other book. It beckons us, convicts us, comforts us, leads us, encourages us, inspires us. Christians of ages past have affirmed that God speaks to them in scripture. Calvin says that the scriptures are the spectacles through which we can distinctly and clearly understand God.
The Bible is the primary way we hear from God today. It is an ancient book. Because it is ancient it is proven and tested. Calvin’s idea of the authority of scripture was found not in the ancient words themselves, but in the Holy Spirit’s illuminating the words to us. The Holy Spirit inspired the words at the time of their writing- using the author’s language, educational background, writing skills, and context. But the Holy Spirit makes the ancient words come alive- allowing us to believe them, apply them, live by them. There is a danger in denying that the scripture is accurate, or denying that we should not pay any attention to it at all. Such an attitude shows a lack of respect to the Church of the past (both the Biblical church and the church that believed and followed the Bible) and to Jesus who said, "Thy Word is truth." There is also danger in trying to make the Bible so wooden that it cannot live and breathe into our situation. The Spirit not only inspires Scripture-- The Spirit also inspires us. However, words mean something. The illumination of the Spirit does not contradict the inspiration of the Spirit. In other words the Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn. 4:4), and does not promise one thing and then break the promise. The Spirit does not make one command then later say the opposite is true. Just as the Covenants remain, the promises remain, and the words and basic meanings remain. The words of scripture may have different nuances and emphases as we age, as we face different circumstances, and as the Holy Spirit leads us. Scripture can speak to us with authority unlike any other book. It beckons us, convicts us, comforts us, leads us, encourages us, inspires us. Christians of ages past have affirmed that God speaks to them in scripture. Calvin says that the scriptures are the spectacles through which we can distinctly and clearly understand God.
Prayer: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law O Lord.
Erasmus scribing Greek and Latin Bible from sources.
Making the Greek available was important for Luther to translate it into Germanand others to translate it into English, French, and eventually thousands of languages.
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