THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES
THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES
The “authority of the Scriptures” is one test which many believers use to determine who is a true Christian and who is not. Woe be unto anyone who does not believe in the “authority of the Scriptures.” But what do we mean by the “authority of the Scriptures”? Every denomination believes the same Bible but teaches different doctrines. Most of these denominations believe in the “authority of the Scriptures”. Yet each denomination interprets the Scriptures differently. How can this be?
The word “denomination” literally means “to separate and to name”. Upon what “authority” does anyone separate and name themselves apart from others? Which denomination, if any, is the true church? Which denomination is the final “authority” to tell us what the Scriptures actually mean?
Division is wrong! On the night before Calvary Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers so that the world might believe. He said: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn. 17:20,21).
Sadly, however, our understanding of the “authority of the Scriptures” has not brought peace and unity to the Body of Christ. The World Christian Encyclopedia by Barrett, Kurian, Johnson (Oxford Univ Press, 2nd edition, 2001). claims that there are over 33,000 "Christian denominations" in 238 total countries. These 33,000 denominations are subdivided into "6 major ecclesiastico-cultural mega-blocs".
It is safe to assume that most of these 33,000 denominations believe in the “authority of the Scriptures” and yet are still divided!
Something is obviously wrong! Dividing the Body of Christ is not a trivial matter. It is diametrically opposed to the prayer of Jesus and the eternal plan of God!
Perhaps it is time that we take a closer look at this subject. Paul told Timothy: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know that they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:23-26).
ACCESS TO THE BIBLE
According to the American Bible Society, 57% of the world’s languages do not have a complete copy of the Scriptures. Many do not even have a written language! How does the “authority of the Scriptures impact their lives?
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For many centuries the Bible was copied by hand and was therefore both rare and expensive. •
Johannes Gutenberg invented the moveable type printing press around 1436. The first major project to be produced on his printing press was the Holy Bible. The text, however, was the
Latin Vulgate which most people could not read. The Gutenberg Bible was printed somewhere between 1450 and 1455.
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The first English Bible to be printed was Tyndale’s version in 1525.
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Sadly, leaders both religious and secular, did not want people to read the Bible. They did not trust the common man to correctly understand the Word of God.
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William Tyndale, for example, was strangled and burned at the stake in 1536 for the “crime” of translating the Bible into the English language. His last words were: “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes”.
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As you know, in 1611 King James finally “authorized” the printing of the Bible for the common man. That version is known as the King James Version.
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Even now, however, all English speaking people still do not have a Bible.
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The Catholics also forbade the common man to read the Bible. The Council of Trent (1545- 1564) placed the Bible on its list of prohibited books, and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop or inquisitor. The Council added: "That if any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution till he has given it up to his ordinary."
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Even though today many millions of Bibles have been printed, millions of believers still do not have a Bible.
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Out of the world's 6,901 different languages, 1,859 (31 %) don't have a Bible translation processes started. 2,195 (26 %) are in the process of having Scripture translated but do not yet have completed Scripture. Obviously most people in the world do not have a Bible.
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How does the “authority of the Scriptures” impact the lives of those who do not have a Bible or who cannot read?
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For one thing it makes them utterly dependent upon someone else. The noble Bereans searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul taught them was true (Acts 17:11). Those without a Bible, however, have no way of determining whether teaching it is true or not.
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Peter warned: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Pet. 2:1,2).
MARTIN LUTHER
Since Martin Luther based his disagreement with the Pope on the “authority of the Scriptures” let us reflect upon his life.
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Luther was an Augustinian monk in the Roman Catholic church.
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Luther read the Bible and dared to disagree with Catholic teaching. On Oct. 31, 1517 he nailed his famous 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle church.
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These 95 theses became the foundation of the Protestant Reformation.
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Luther believed that the Scriptures are an absolute, underived, and unquestionable authority. •
In fact, Luther’s mantra was “sola scriptura” (only the Scriptures).
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Luther said: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God.”
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On trial for his life before the Emperor Luther dared to say: “I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”
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Yet, Luther who insisted on “sola scriptura,” did not find the Bible sufficient to clearly teach Lutheran doctrine.
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Therefore Luther wrote the “Augsburg Confession” which he presented, both in German and Latin, at the Diet of Augsburg on June 25, 1530.
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The Augsburg Confession is a rather lengthy document containing 28 articles that constitute the basic confession of Lutheran churches.
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In fact, the Augsburg Confession is the formative document of the Lutheran church. It serves as the tool for measuring whether Lutherans today are faithful to the Lutheran Reformation. It clarifies what it means to be a Lutheran.
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I’m not sure sure how many Lutheran Denominations there are in the world, but there are 40 different Lutheran denominations in North America. The three largest of these denominations are: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Luther Church – Missouri Synod, The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
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It is sobering to realize that Luther’s belief in the “authority of the Scriptures” did not bring unity in the Christian world and not even in the very denomination which he founded. •
Further, Luther obviously felt the Scriptures were not a sufficient guide or he would not have written the Augsburg Confession.
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Even though the Protestant Reformation was based upon the “authority of the Scriptures” it also resulted in fragmenting the Body of Christ into many denominations.
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In addition to the Bible many denominations also have their own special creed.
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Certainly it is wise to consider what we mean by the “authority of the Scriptures”?
JOHN CALVIN
Calvin was another brilliant theologian who believed in the “authority of the Scriptures”. Like Luther, however, he felt that the Scriptures were not adequate to instruct the lost so he published his Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536. His purpose was to “aid those who desire to be instructed in the doctrine of salvation”. The Institutes are in four parts: the first examines God the Father, the second the Son, the third the Holy Spirit, and the fourth the church.
In 1541, to prove the validity of his interpretation of the Scriptures, Calvin founded a Theocracy in Geneva. Albert Henry Newman describes Calvin’s doctrinal confidence. The following quotation comes from Newman’s Manual of Church History (Vol. 2, p. 217). “Never did a man come to his life- work with a fuller realization of the difficulties and the responsibilities involved or with a more resolute determination to carry out, regardless of consequences, what he believed the will of God required than did Calvin. He had not the slightest misgivings as to the absolute correctness and the sole validity of his own particular schemes of Christian doctrine and of church government. All who set themselves in
radical opposition to the one or the other were under the guidance of Satan, were out the pale of salvation, and deserved no consideration at the hands of the faithful”
Therefore, based on the “authority of the Scriptures” Calvin:
- Showed no mercy to the enemies of the theocracy.
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Introduced a system of espionage to find who was unfaithful. Informers shared the fines imposed, and children were encouraged to testify against their parents.
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On Oct. 27, 1553 Michael Servetus was burned at the stake for daring to disagree with Calvin. After writhing in the flames for half an hour he cried out: “Jesus, thou Son of the eternal God, have compassion on me”. Then he died!
- From 1542 – 1546, 58 were executed and 76 were banished.
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During the pestilence of 1545, 34 women were burned or quartered on suspicion of spreading the plague by magic.
- Calvin encouraged the public execution of rebellious children based on Deut. 21:18-21).
- In 1568 Phillipe Deville was beheaded for striking his father.
- Calvin based all of this upon the “authority of the Scriptures”.
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Would we accept Calvin in our church today just because he believed in the “authority of the Scriptures”?
JACOBUS ARMENIUS
Jacobus Armenius was born Oct. 10, 1580. He too believed in the “authority of the Scriptures” but he dared to disagree with Calvin. The division between “Calvinism” and “Armenianism” remains unto this day and both still base their beliefs in the “authority of the Scriptures”. On Nov. 13, 1618 the National Synod of Dort was convened to determine which doctrine was correct. Evidently, the decision was not easy for the debate raged from Nov. 13, 1618 to May 14, 1619. Finally the Calvinists won and 200 ministers were deposed from office, 80 were banished, 70 agreed to be silent, and 40 “repented” and were restored to office. Van Oldenbarnevelt was declared guilty of treason and beheaded on May 14, 1619).
Obviously, for Calvin and Armenius, believing in the “authority of the Scriptures” did not bring peace and unity.
Let us also dare to ask where did the National Synod of Dort get the “authority” to determine correct doctrine?
THE PRAYER OF JESUS FOR UNITY
As we have already mentioned, Jesus prayed for the unity of believers on the night before His crucifixion. That prayer is recorded in John chapter 17. It is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible. His prayer is divided into three parts.
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In verses 1-5 Jesus prayed for Himself.
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In verses 6-19 He prayed for His Disciples.
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In verses 20-26 Jesus prayed for all who would believe because of the message delivered by His Apostles.
We repeat! After praying for Himself and His disciples Jesus said: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn. 17:20,21).
Again, note the connection between the unity of believers and the evangelization of the world. Jesus prayed that we would be “one” in order that the world may be “won”! Today there are millions in the world without a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is a divided church in any way responsible for this?
Unity is not a peripheral issue. It is the very essence of God’s eternal plan. It is the plan of God to unite our fragmented universe under the headship of Christ. The Gospel is to “bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Eph. 1:10). The church is the vehicle by which God wants to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:9-11). A divided church is a tribute to he subtlety of Satan. We should not be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11).
Not only has our approach to the Scriptures not brought unity to the world, it has not even brought unity to the church. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG!
The Scriptures teach that “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor. 12:12,13). Remember! “There should be no division in the Body” (1 Cor. 12:25).
God is not the Author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). The devil wants us divided, but Jesus wants all believers to be united into “One Body”!
Don’t let the devil win! Let us “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROLEM
Please do not construe anything in this brief article to be critical of the Scriptures. There is no doubt about it: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16,17 KJV).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!
Yes! All the Bible is inspired! Jesus said: “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!
The Hebrew believers were reminded that “The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12,13).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROLEM!
The Scriptures are also eternal! Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!
The Word of God is alive and can therefore have “free course” or “spread rapidly” when it is preached (2 Thess. 3:1).
THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!
You can never go wrong representing the thoughts of God with the Words of God. Peter said it best:
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).
The “very words of God” are not the problem. It is our “explanation” of those words that is the problem. Denominations are not formed by the Scriptures, but by different “explanations” of the Scriptures.
The Scriptures are the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). Sadly the devil has tricked us into using the Sword of the Spirit to attack our own brethren and mutilate the Body of Christ.
The Scriptures are not the problem, it is our use of the Scriptures that is the problem!
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
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I don’t know what you will do, but I pray it will be something promoting the unity of believers: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
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“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (1 Thess. 1:13).
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“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other” (1Thess. 4:9).
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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 Jn. 4:7,8).
- “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn. 13:35).
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The greatest journey begins with a single step. Take that first step today and “Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Rom. 14:19).
(This study was written by Boyce Mouton. No rights are reserved. You are free to use this material in whole or in part for the glorification of Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom).