SOLA SCRIPTURA

By Paul Taylor

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura, Latin for Scripture alone, became prominent during the time of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura has to do with both the infallibility and sufficiency of Scripture in all spiritual matters. This doctrine is predicated on the belief that the Bible, by nature,  is the divine revelation of God.  Scripture is therefore the perfect and only standard of spiritual truth. The Second London Baptist Confession states it this way: “The Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain, and infallible standard of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.” 

THE INFALLIBILITY OF SCRIPTURE

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

            The infallibility of Scripture is based on its nature.  We see that 2 Tim. 3:16 clearly states that it is divine revelation-- words from God. This is seen in the Greek word theopneustos, which is translated as “breathed out.”  God Himself is the source of this divine revelation, literally breathing out these words of Scripture.  Because of its author it is therefore perfect and infallible and trustworthy in every way. Scripture by its very nature is incapable of teaching error. When writing the words of Scripture the prophets and apostles not only did not err, they could not err, as they were carried along by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE

“[…] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17 ESV)

 1. Scripture is sufficient for Christian practice

            This verse gives us one of the clearest expositions on the sufficiency of Scripture found in the entire New Testament.  Not only do we see the Apostle Paul affirm Scripture’s divine nature in verse 16, but also that it is valuable and useful for the Christian in faith and practice. We can understand from this verse that the Bible contains all that is necessary in order for the Christian to be complete (to be perfectly fitted) and to be equipped (perfectly furnished, lacking in nothing for the Christian life). 

2. Scripture is sufficient for our knowledge of God

             While Romans 1 states that God has revealed himself in creation, it is clear that this general revelation only brings condemnation to humanity. It is only through special revelation—the Bible’s revealing of the person and work of Jesus Christ—that anyone can be saved. As it is written in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.” 

 THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

            Because Scripture by nature is divine revelation from God and therefore infallible and sufficient in faith and practice, it stands as our supreme authority.  This authority does not derive from the testimony of the Church or traditions but is based solely on the fact that God alone is its author. “Therefore, the Scriptures are to be received because they are the Word of God.” (2nd London Baptist Confession 1689).

            Some may confuse the doctrine of Sola Scriptura to mean that the Bible is the only authority in Christian practice. However, this is not the biblical of historical understanding. The Bible makes it clear that the Church has authority and there are also God-given authorities established in the world. Romans 13:1 states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

            At the heart of Sola Scriptura is the fact that Scripture is our supreme authority.  All other authorities in faith and practice receive their authority on the basis of Scripture and are always subordinate to Scripture.  As John Calvin once stated, “The difference between us and the papists is that they do not think that the church can be 'the pillar of the truth' unless she presides over the Word of God. We, on the other hand, assert that it is because she reverently subjects herself to the Word of God that the truth is preserved by her and passed on to others by her hands.”

            Sola Scriptura is as important today as it was during the Reformation. We are in troubling times where the Bible has too often become secondary to the words and methods of man. Although the Church must reach our culture with the Word of God, we can never filter, alter, or suppress the Word of God to better conform to the culture. Whenever a church or individual denies the principle of Sola Scriptura they are rejecting the infallibility, sufficiency, and authority of the Word of God. In doing so, many are denying God’s true authority over all things. As Al Mohler states, “The affirmation of Sola Scriptura is absolutely necessary in every generation.”