Chapter 4 - The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (1) Authority

June 3rd 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC CHAPTER 4 – The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (1) Authority Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Outline • • • How do we know that the Bible is God’s Word? All the words of Scripture are God’s words and are completely truthful. To disbelieve or disobey the words of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God; Scripture is our authority. EXPLANATION AND SCRIPTURAL BASIS The major teachings of the Bible about itself can be classified into four characteristics (sometimes termed attributes): 1. 2. 3. 4. the AUTHORITY of Scripture the CLARITY of Scripture the NECESSITY of Scripture the SUFFICIENCY of Scripture. The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. A. All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words 1. This Is What the Bible Claims for Itself. a. “Thus says the LORD.” Deuteronomy 18:18-20 I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ Jeremiah 1:9 Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Jeremiah 29:31-32 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” therefore thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people,” declares the Lord, “because he has preached rebellion against the Lord.”’” Ezekiel 2:7 But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 1 of 8 June 3rd 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC b. God speaks “through” the prophets 1 Kings 14:18 All Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through His servant Ahijah the prophet. 2 Kings 9:36 Therefore they returned and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; Haggai 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:19 It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. c. In the NT, a number of passages indicate that all of the Old Testament writings are thought of as God’s words. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Here “Scripture” (graphē) must refer to the Old Testament written Scripture, for that is what the word graphē refers to in every one of its fifty-one occurrences in the New Testament. 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. d. In other passages in the NT, various sections of the OT are referred to as God’s words. Matthew 1:22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: (Isaiah 7:14) Matthew 19:4-5 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? (Genesis 2:24) Mark 7:9-13 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘HE who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” (Genesis 2:24) Acts 1:16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. (Psalms 69 and 109) Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 2 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 e. New Testament writings also referred to as Scripture. 2 Peter 3:16 as also in all his [Paul] letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. f. Objection: 1 Corinthians. 7:12 cf. 7:25, 40 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25, 40 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. …. But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God. 2. We Are Convinced of the Bible’s Claims to Be God’s Words as We Read the Bible. a. Our ultimate conviction that the words of the Bible are God’s words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible. John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 3. Other Evidence Is Useful but Not Finally Convincing. Westminster Confession of Faith 1.5: We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. 4. The Words of Scripture Are Self-Attesting. a. They cannot be “proved” to be God’s words by appeal to any higher authority. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 3 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 5. Objection: This Is a Circular Argument. a. That this is a kind of a circular argument does not make it invalid, for all arguments for an absolute authority must ultimately appeal to that authority for proof. 6. This Does Not Imply Dictation From God as the Sole Means of Communication. a. Up to this point it has been argued that all the words of the Bible are God’s words, yet this requires a word of caution. b. b) When we say that all the words of the Bible are God’s words, we are talking about the result of the process of bringing Scripture into existence, not the process itself. c. The Bible does not speak of only one type of process or one manner by which God communicated to the biblical authors what he wanted to be said. Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, Luke 1:1-3 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. B. Therefore to Disbelieve or Disobey Any Word of Scripture Is to Disbelieve or Disobey God 1. Jesus can rebuke his disciples for not believing the OT Scriptures Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 2. Believers are to keep or obey the disciples’ words. John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 2 Corinthians 13:2-3 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 2 Peter 3:2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 4 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 C. The Truthfulness of Scripture 1. God Cannot Lie or Speak Falsely. a. Since the biblical writers repeatedly affirm that the words of the Bible, though human, are God’s words, it is appropriate to look at biblical texts that talk about the character of God’s words and to apply these to the character of the words of Scripture. Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, Hebrews 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 2. Therefore All the Words in Scripture Are Completely True and Without Error in Any Part. Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Psalms 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. Psalms 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 3. God’s Words Are the Ultimate Standard of Truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 4. Might Some New Fact Ever Contradict the Bible? a. Every true fact is something that God has known already from all eternity and is something that therefore cannot contradict God’s speech in Scripture. D. Written Scripture Is Our Final Authority 1. The final form of Scripture is its written form; and it is authoritative in this form. 2. Hypothetical reconstructions of what “Jesus/Paul/the apostles really said” cannot replace the Scripture itself as the final authority. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 5 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 SPECIAL TERMS • • • • • • • • • • • Absolute Authority The highest authority in one's life; an authority that cannot be disproved by appeal to any higher authority. Circular Argument An argument that seeks to prove its conclusion by appealing to a claim that depends on the truth of the conclusion. Dictation The idea that God expressly spoke every word of Scripture to the human authors. God-Breathed Translation of the Greek word theopneustos (sometimes translated "inspired by God"), which the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16) uses metaphorically to describe the words of Scripture as being spoken by God. Inspiration A term referring to the fact that the words of Scripture are spoken by God. Because of the weak sense of this word in ordinary usage, this text prefers the term "Godbreathed" to indicate that the words of Scripture are spoken by God. Plenary Inspiration Scripture The writings (Greek graphē, G1210, rendered in Latin by scriptura) of the Old and New Testaments, which have historically been recognized as God's words in written form. Another term for the Bible. Self-Attesting The self-authenticating nature of the Bible by which it convinces us that its words are God's words. Authority of Scripture The idea that all the words in Scripture are God's words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. Plenary Inspiration The idea that all the words of Scripture are God's words (plenary meaning "full"). Neo-Orthodoxy A twentieth-century theological movement represented by the teachings of Karl Barth. Instead of the orthodox position that all the words of Scripture were spoken by God, Barth taught that the words of Scripture become God's words to us as we encounter them. SCRIPTURE MEMORY PASSAGE 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NOTE: This outline is based on the outline published outline of Wayne Grudem when teaching this chapter to his enrichment class at Scottsdale Bible Church. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 6 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 HYMN “Standing on the Promises” Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 7 of 8 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC June 3rd 2018 "Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org" Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 8 of 8