A Reformed Catechism on Scripture

Q. 1. Are the Scriptures the Christians only rule for saving knowledge, faith, and obedience?

A. If by only, thou means that we admit no other authority whatsoever into Christian faith and practice, then, no. Though we do distinguish.

Q. 2. What other rules are there then for the Christian?

A. They be several; protestant counsels and creeds, the great confessions and catechisms, as well as the pastors and teachers God has given to each generation, some of which have taught the church down the centuries.

Q. 3. Why dost thou believe these things?

A. Because God has been pleased, through the preaching and writings of Christian men, to uphold and defend the truth in every generation. Even if certain times seem ever so dark.

a. Neh 8:8,12.

b. 2 Tim 1:13-14.

c. 2 Tim 2:2.

There is a tradition, a pattern, a standard, that is to be upheld here that is distinguished from Scripture itself. But should not be separated from it. Scripture begs for interpretation and explanation.

Q. 4. Aren’t then the Holy Scripture's unique and distinguished?

A. They are indeed.

a. 2 Tim 3:16.

b. 2 Peter 1:20-21

Q. 5. Then in what way are the Holy Scriptures to be distinguished from other rules?

A. The Holy Scripture’s are the norma normans, the rule that rules, “a norming, adjusting, or measuring standard by which other measuring tools are to be measured”(Justin Taylor).

a. Acts 17:11-12.

The Bereans examined the interpretation of the Scriptures(Pauls explanation), against the Scriptures( The Rule that rules). Very important to identify what message they recieved. It was an explanation of the Scriptures. That is, they are taking Pauls words(non-Scripture) and embracing them as an authority because they are in accord with the Old Testament.

b. John 5:39. Luke 24.

Jesus appeals to the Scriptures as authoritatively testifying about him.

c. Acts 15:15.

d. Is 8:19-20

Here the advice given is proven false against the light of God’s Word.

c. See 2LCF 1:1

Q. 6. What then dost thou call those other rules?

A. The other rules, by which a Christian may lawfully submit are called ‘norma normata’ “a norm that is normed, a rule that is ruled, a standard or measure that is itself subject to, and defined by, a greater standard”(Justin Taylor).

It’s okay and right to say that you hold to other subordinate standards as long as you clarify what you mean. I would not deviate from the Chalcedonian definition because I believe it accurately teaches the Scriptual teaching on Christology.

Q.7. Is there a further way by which we may distinguish the ‘norma normata’?

A. Yes. The Holy Scriptures being our First-Order Authority( Norma Normans), we further divide the ruled rule(norma normata) into a second and third-oder of authority. Both which derive their authority from the Scriptures.

Q. 8. What are those that we title ‘second-order authorities’?

A. The protestant ecumenical creeds, which we believe are founded upon the Scriptures and brought about in the providence of God. They being the following; The Apostles Creed(120-250), The Nicene Creed(325), The Nicene Constantinopolitan Creed(381), The Chalcedonian Council(451), and the Athanasian Creed(500).

Q. 9. What are those that we title ‘third-order authorities?’

A. Those great confessions and catechisms that were given to us at the time of the reformation and post-reformation.

Q. 10. How dost thou distinguish between those two?

A. We generally hold that the second-order are matters that must be believed, being of the weightiest matters of the faith. While the third-order, though containing those second-order matters, extend further to matters of what ought to be believed, not holding the same weight and consequence as the former.

a. See HC Q&A 22.

b. “It signifies a brief and summary form of the Christian faith, which distinguishes the church and her members from the various sects”(Ursinus).

c. See James Renihan ‘To The Judicious Reader’

Q. 11. Are these not then certain rules of faith by which we may put our trust in?

A. Insofar as they do put forth the true gospel and summarize the Christian faith, we may have great confidence in them. But we attribute certainty and trust to the Word of God alone. For councils and creeds may fail, but the Word of God faileth not.

a. Josh 21:45. Luke 1:37.

Q. 12. What dost thou mean when thou sayest that the Scriptures are a certain rule of faith?

A. That whatsoever things are taught in Scripture pertaining to saving knowledge, saving faith, and saving obedience, are certain and trustworthy and are to be believed by virtue of what they are, the Word of God.

a. 2 Pet 1:19.

Q. 13. What else dost thou attribute to the Scriptures alone?

A. That the Holy Scriptures are sufficient to the same ends.

a. Luke 16:29,31.

Q. 14. But if the Holy Scriptures be sufficient, then what need hast thou for other writings and teachings of men?

A. They be sufficient in two senses; first, against the insufficiency of natural revelation, and creation and providence for saving knowledge, faith, etc.. Second, they are sufficient in the sense that the saving knowledge is “expressly set down or necessarily contained in them.” (See Renihan)

Q. 15. What dost thou mean by necessarily contained?

A. That by the use of sanctified reason and logic, specific doctrines and teachings, may be deduced from the Scriptures as a rule of faith(norma normata).

a. Trinity - Mt 28:19.

b. Christology Jn 1.

Q. 16. Is there any thing else to be attributed to the Scriptures alone?

A. Yes. The Scriptures are the only infallible rule.

Q. 17. How would thou distinguish that from certainty?

A. Infallibility has to do with Scriptures inability to fail. While certainty and sureness are of great comfort to us, the negation of failing or erring bolsters our certain and trustworthy foundation. The Scriptures are not able to fail, and not able to err.

a. Is 55:8-11. b. Heb 6:18.c. Titus 1:1-2.

Q. 18. Very good. So then, what keepest thou from falling into the error of Rome, seeing you have both Scripture and tradition as authorities?

A. Again, we do distinguish. Where Rome has tradition standing equal to the Scriptures, we have tradition subordinated to it.

Q. 19. Pray tell, would you go on?

A. Of course. Rome has both Scripture and tradition as magisterial authority for faith and practice. While we distinguish between a magisterial authority belonging to Scripture alone, and a ministerial authority belonging to the great tradition. As has been shown above.

Tradition 1, Tradition 2

Q. 20. And what keepest thou from falling into the error of biblicism?

A. While holding to the alone unique authority of Scripture, we also see a pattern and neccessity of the interpretatin and explanation of the Scriptures to and for the people of God.

a. See Scripture references above

Tradition 0

Q. 21. So then, this is what you mean when you say Sola Scriptura?

A. Indeed. It is not Scripture only, but Scripture alone that has the unique authoritative role in the life of the church and the individual. This we affirm against the papists and biblicists.