5/28/12- Knox and the sufficiency of scripture

¹⁵ and how from infancyyou have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

(2 Timothy 3:15-17)

(Ben Sloan with Statue of John Knox in St. Gile's Cathedral in Edinburgh- part of the Presbyterian church of Scotland)

Thoughts: The statue of John Knox above is pointing to the Bible.  That is what Knox did- and it changed the world.  In many ways the Scottish Enlightenment owes its emphasis on education to Knox who, within a generation, accounts for doubling the literacy rate in Scotland to 97% so that the people could read scripture.
   The dispute with the Catholics was that they believed that their expert- the Pope- had the ability to discern God's will apart from scripture.  Knox, Calvin, Luther and the like said that the scriptures were sufficient to give us all we need to know to find God's will.  The "thoroughly equipped" of 3:17 points to this.  Karl Barth said that this is not just a matter of dogma- but a matter of practice- lived out by looking to the scripture to find God's will- and obeying the scripture when we would rather not. The scriptures are the witness to Jesus Christ- the embodied Word of God.  If we do not listen to them- and wrestle with them- struggling to submit our desires to the simple meaning of scripture- then we deceive ourselves.  In fact, one might say, if we do not believe that the scriptures are sufficient for finding God's will, then we can choose what we do not want to do in them with the illusion that we do not have to heed or listen to them.  The scriptures are not authoritative if they only have an advisory capacity.  As someone said, "The Ten Commandments are not Ten suggestions."  But they are only suggestions if we may get others to tell us that such things as lying or adultery or taking a day of rest are not helpful or necessary for obtaining the blessing of God. 

Prayer: Help me to rest and count on the sufficiency of the Bible for understanding your will for me, O Lord. 

1/6/12- Scripture alone

Q. What standard from God directs us how we might glorify and enjoy Him? 
A. The Word of God, which is found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only standard to direct us how we might glorify and enjoy Him. 


 ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. 
The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. (Psalm 19:7-9)


Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts17:9)

(Guttenberg Bible)


Thoughts: In five years we will celebrate the 500th year of when Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses on the Wittenburg door to begin the Protestant Reformation (10/31/1517).  Luther knew that the iron clad control of the church would be loosened if he could get the power of God away from the experts- the new Teachers of the Law- and put the Word back into the hands of the every day person.  It was no accident that the printing press, the putting of the Bible in the vernacular of the people, the emphasis of the priesthood of all believers, and the idea that scripture alone is our authority all went together.  But at the core was the power and sufficiency of the scriptures.  
    The Psalmist says the scriptures are perfect, trustworthy, giving wisdom and joy.  The Bereans were declared "noble" for testing what Paul said by scripture.  So we too should not assume that a minister/priest/preacher is right in and of themselves- but we should test them to the standard- the rule.
    Today, in our time of disobedience, we should not be described that the scriptures are attacked by every means possible.  But the motivation is rebellion and a desire to give God's authority to ourselves.  So the scholars and experts claim to be wiser than scriptures.  Idealogues claim to know better and to be fairer than the time-tested, multi-cultureed Word of God.  So Reformed faith which was supposed to be "always reforming according to the Word of God"" are now just semper reformanda (always changing).  But change without a goal, a standard is waffling, lost, and allows  the loudest voice to claim leadership.  God has spoken, and His speech is suffficient. 


PrayerL Lord, give me ears to hear and a willingness to obey.