Sermon Tone Analysis

Sufficiency and distortion

Certain evangelical rightly claim that Scripture is sufficient to reveal all that Christian needs need to know about God, a point that Scripture supports everywhere (e.g. ; ; and so on).

But in doing so they distort what Scripture teaches about the work of Christ and the Holy Scripture in conjunction with Scripture (more on this later).

For example:

Duet

“Moses’ point was that Isreal had the Word of God, the law, and that the law was all they needed.

They were not to seek an additional revelation but were to busy themselves with obeying what they had.”

So, what to do with Jesus?

And later scripture?

This view of the text misses the point of the text which was that the Law was near and accessible.

Contrast this with

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

This assumes that true prophets with additional revelation from God would arise in Israel, requiring standards by which to distinguish true prophets from false prophets.

But there is another issue — and we will not go to all the references from here, but in the OT after this declaration we have revelation from the angel of the Lord, Deborah the prophetess, an unnamed prophet, Samuel the prophet, Nathan, Saul, Gad, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Isaiah, the company of prophets, etc etc

However this claim is not alien to the NT as some would say .. Horton who is a major writer in the EPC writes

As far as Christians are concerned, the same meaning holds.

For neither do Christians need an additional word from God.

They have what they need already, and it is the gospel message being proclaimed by the apostles.

But God has determined that we derive all of our knowledge of Him, not through direct encounters, but through the written Word, the Bible and in the Person and work of His incarnate Son.

Lot’s of issues with the language here, but even more confusing coming from a person who is adamant on election — it is a revelation of the Holy Spirit outside of the text that draws one to Christ according to that doctrine.

The claims listed there do not hold up logically or theologically or scripturally since is the Bible that says more will happen.

for example

: 14

1st Corinthians 14

How do claims of no continuing revelation in the church explain the ongoing work of God through prophetic revelation?

Did Steven, a layman, not need an additional revelatory vision of Jesus in heaven in ?

Did Ananias not receive one an go to Paul?

Peter received one for food.

Acts 13

And on and on… The early church expected to hear God speak in a variety of ways alongside, and not contradicting, the scripture.

Scripture is primary, but it is also clear that scripture is not the only means of God’s revelation or communication.

John 5:

: 19-22

If we are to hold to sola scriptura we should expect God to communicate with us - if we do not, why do we pray?

If we expect God to communicate, we should expect God to be active, and involved in this world.

We dismiss the power of God so that we might dismiss our error .... received Spirit since believed, shall be my witnesses… uhmmm