Is God's Word Only Found in the Bible?
In the perennial classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian comes across a man named, “Mr. Worldly-Wiseman.” Mr. Worldly-Wiseman lived in a town called “Carnal Policy,” otherwise known as Ways of the World, and it was a close neighbor of the City of Destruction (where Christian was originally from). Mr. Worldly-wiseman was a perceptive man and recognized that Christian was in need of some help on his difficult journey. So Mr. Worldly-wiseman asked Christian, “If I give you counsel will you take my advice?” Christian responded, “If it is good counsel, I will.” This was a great attitude for Christian to display, as he should be discerning of any advice given to him.
However, Mr. Worldly-wiseman did not have good advice. He told Christian that his way was burdensome because of the book he read. Mr. Worldly-wiseman reviled Christian’s book and told him another to be rid of the burden on his back. Mr. Worldly-wise man's suggestion was to go to a man named Legality who lived in a village called Morality. If you’ve read the story, you know that Christian never arrives because this hill was too vast. It was also not the way that the book in his hand instructed him to go. Christian learned the hard way by not trusting what was not written in the book.
Why the Hair-Splitting?
What does the question, “Is God’s Word only found in the written Bible?” even mean? Is the Bible truly authoritative for life? Why ask these kinds of questions to people in the pews? I do find it necessary to bring this truth to the pew, for there are many problems within Christianity. Specifically, certain denominations and Christian universities openly deny that the written word of Scripture is God's final word of authority.
This is important for it has tremendous pastoral implications. Outside of Christianity, we see many religions that reject a written document and prefer passing down faith through other means. Some of these methods involve narratives, legends, rituals, etc. Christianity, on the other hand, is different as it is a word-based religion. Christianity also has a God who covenants with His people through His written word. We see this in Exodus 24:4, 7, "And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel... Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." We also see this in Exodus 34:27, where God commands Moses to write so that He can covenant with His people, "And the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” Thus is also true in Isaiah when he says, "To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn" Isaiah 8:20. So while many people take away from God’s word (some take it away entirely), do people actually add to God’s word?
Who REALLY Adds to God’s Word?
We are all aware of people who blatantly add to God’s word, such as Roman Catholics who have added seven extra books to the Bible. Mormons have also added the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, even down to the King James Bible which adds a couple of verses here and there. But who else actually adds to God’s word? The answer is simple, all of us have rules that aren’t found in Scripture, but we hold them as binding (sometimes more) as Scripture itself are the ones who add to God’s word. I’m referring to self-imposed rules that aren’t explicitly stated in Scripture. Often these self-imposed rules are used to bind consciences as we point people towards Legality hill. This is not only a functional denial of Sola Scriptura and even the denial of the sufficiency of Scripture, but it is done in the name of “protecting,” God’s word and God’s people from even getting close to sin.
Pastoral Problems
There are numerous pastoral problems that occur when you go beyond the sufficiency of the written word. This does not mean that one is held only to the verbiage which is used in the text of Scripture. This is what “progressive Christians,” do when they say that they use only terms found in the Bible (they also happen to reject the definitions often used in the Bible). This means a Biblical worldview is used when Scripture is utilized to bring about comfort and rebuke for those who need it. (see 2 Tim 3:15-17). Take, for example, a man who comes to you and says, "Pastor, I have fallen out of love with my wife, and am attracted to another woman…." It is not a good idea to say, "follow your heart!" One should say, “You should learn to love your wife again.” While this would be partially true, a better and more faithful biblical perspective would say, "While you may currently lack the emotional feelings, marriage is not summed up by emotional feelings, but a covenant that has blessings when upheld and cursings when broken. Marriage is a covenant that is for life and only legitimately broken by death, as we find in Romans 7:1-4. So, until either of you die naturally, you should pursue your wife and only your wife."
We have already seen that Scripture alone is sufficient for our salvation, but we also know and practice that the written Scriptures alone are sufficient for our daily lives and practices as well. May we not be like Mr. Worldly Wiseman, may we use the Scripture to guide people. The advice given by worldly-wisemen may sound convincing, but if they are not found in the written word “expressly set down or necessarily contained” (explicitly or deduced from Scripture) it is to be rejected.
After Christian was lost trying to follow the direction of Mr. Worldly-wiseman up to Legality Hill, a man named Evangelist found him. Evangelist said to him, “Stand still a little, that I may show you the Words of God.” Evangelist proceeded to read from the Book. The only book that is the sole authority for faith and practice. This is not merely a scenario that we read about in tales, but the scenario that we are all presented with in life, do we follow the way of the book or do we follow the wisdom of the world? Do we seek “what sounds right,” or “what is right?” Do we follow what makes sense to us following after our own understanding, or do we lean not on our own understanding but in all of our ways acknowledge the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6)? May we be people of the book and may we also share that book when helping others.
