Sola Scriptura
How infallible is the Word of God and what is the extent of its
authority?
"We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God than the Author of this Word, as He Himself has said, "They shall be all taught of God" (John 6:45). Hope for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has experience."
- Martin Luther
During the Protestant Reformation the Protestants formed the solae which is a set of Biblical principles containing the doctrines of salvation foundational to the Christian faith. Each sola represents a core belief in the Protestant tradition and stands in stark contrast to the teachings of many denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church. These solae originated from the belief among the Reformers that the Catholic Church had exaggerated their own power and authority and was a determination to return to sound biblical doctrine and authority.
Only the first three solae appeared originally, the last two solae were added from the middle of the 20th century. The five solae are sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone), sola fide (by faith alone), sola gratia (by grace alone), solus Christus (through Christ alone) and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). For the last century there has been an alarming increase, especially from the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, pertaining to knowledge and revelations outside Scripture and that is why this article will focus on the principle of sola Scriptura. "So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 Until the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church had amassed great power, influence and wealth. They achieved this reach over millions of people by monopolizing theology. By prohibiting the distribution of the Bible, the Roman Catholic Church and its religious leaders exposed believers to their teachings, traditions and motivations without the masses being able to measure messages and traditions against the Word. And instead of spreading and teaching the Word, the church relied on traditions and false authority to maintain control.
They motivated their actions by claiming they were protecting the people from the forming of heresies due to ignorance and that they were merely ensuring adherence to pure doctrines. But these excuses were far removed from the reality of the matter. Legalism abounded through papal traditions and ignorance concerning knowledge of the Word of God, left multitudes at the mercy of the power hungry religious leaders.
The principle of sola Scriptura was not only coined during the Protestant Reformation but gained immense momentum and support in those days, culminating into a multitude denominations. In making their traditions and leadership at least equal in authority to the Bible for centuries, the Roman Catholic Church established many unbiblical practices. But where the religious leaders in those days abused their power by restricting access to the truth in the Word of God, a different deception surface today. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Matthew 24:35 The phrase sola Scriptura is compiled of the Latin word sola, meaning "alone" and the word Scriptura meaning "writings". It is the theological doctrine that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practices of the Christian life and the principle and belief that everything required to attain salvation, Scripture encapsulates. Sola Scriptura is the conviction the canon of the Bible is the divinely inspired all-sufficient and complete Word of God and the infallible barrier against evil. And it rejects teachings and traditions not in agreement or contrary to the Word.
The Bible never stands apart from God but is the final authority and instrument through which the Lord reveals Himself concerning salvation through faith in Christ. It is also the only standard by which the way to glorify God is revealed. The following quote by Martin Luther illustrates the inerrant authority of Scripture:
"The true rule is this: God's Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so." Sola Scriptura will always point you back to what the Lord revealed in His Word and remind you that regardless of the circumstances, the Bible remains the spoken Word and therefore, will of God. This means that those who follow the principle of sola Scriptura will base their lives completely on the teachings from Scripture alone and will reject traditions and teachings contradictory to the Word of God. And if Christians around the world would wholeheartedly apply this principle to their lives, the confusion and deception rampant in the Church today will be diminished significantly.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The principle of sola Scriptura rejects extra-biblical sources for spiritual wisdom and knowledge due to the belief that God has revealed everything in Scripture which He deemed necessary, sufficient and vital. Extra-biblical revelations and knowledge which can literally be obtained just about anywhere today, implies a need because of an exaggerated effectiveness on Satan's part. But if one acknowledges that the Lord speaks to His followers through His written Word, yet you confirm in having a longing for more, how can His Word be all-sufficient for you? Because it will indeed suggest your need for information outside Scripture to be able to live the Christian life and at the same time resist the Enemy.
The Adversary's success and victories are because of a tainted personal relationship with Christ and not because of a lack of extra-biblical knowledge. Therefore, Christians should be cautious not to extend credit to the Enemy due to their own shortcomings and by doing so focus unwarranted attention on his kingdom. Jesus Christ alone is the living Word who is found and known by studying God's written Word. And true Christianity is to know God and not just to know about Him. However, this is only accomplished by regularly dedicating personal time in the Scriptures.
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Only the finished work of Christ on the cross and His means of grace through faith can make you become more holy and pleasing to God. No extra-biblical knowledge or revelations from any realm can offer any added deliverance. Sadly, many religious consumers hold onto their belief in added "revelation knowledge" for further deliverance. In ignorance they hold to the idea they can increase their deliverance, even though Scripture is clear that deliverance through Christ is complete.
True believers embrace the Holy Spirit who constantly remind them that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was enough and cautions them to turn away from their enslaving pasts by embracing their future hope. These believers are content under all circumstances because they know whether they gain or lose significance, status or possessions, they remain children of the Most High and that in itself is so much more than they deserve. "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
The self appointed prophets and false teachers who proclaim "revelations" and "prophecies" outside Scripture do so because they are either deceived or deliberately misinterpret Scripture to suit their own agenda. It is also quite possible they are not truly saved because if they had been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the truth would have been revealed to them. Because the deeper meanings in Scripture is revealed by the Holy Spirit and not by intellect.
The Word of God is not enough for self-proclaimed prophets and false teachers because they are oblivious to the nature of His truth. And because they are in essence seekers of self, they seek extra-biblical or hidden knowledge from the spiritual realm. The Word of God alone will never be enough for them because the deeper and sound interpretations are hidden from them due to the absence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. And though a spirit may indeed be present in their lives, it is certainly not the Holy Spirit.
Extra-biblical messages that cannot be backed up by Scripture are not from the Lord and is indeed a form of divination. By this I am not saying that Christ cannot speak to us. The Lord is omnipotent and can do whatever He wants. I say the Lord will never contradict His Word, nor will He ever reveal knowledge not included in Scripture. Because if this be the case, the only reasonable explanation will be that the Sovereign God had forgotten or omitted to add this additional knowledge. It would also mean all the poor souls in past centuries missed out on these "revelations" and this implies an Unrighteous Judge and a God who is not omniscient. "If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and depraved of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain." 1 Timothy 6:3-5
False prophets and teachers also spread these deceptive messages due to their dependence on the recognition and honour they receive from a fallen and fearful world. They revel in their significance because they are able to deliver hidden messages which the desperate accept. And the desperate also accept these revelations because it tingles their ears and because they erroneously believe it "elevates" them to a higher spiritual standing. But by receiving and delivering "new revelations" they are adding to the Word against which there are specific warnings such as in Proverbs 30:6 and Revelations 22:18.
The Lord did directly speak to His prophets in biblical times but it was in the days before the canon of the Bible was complete and available. In those days God spoke directly to His messengers to authenticate the Messenger. But now that the canon of Scripture is complete, why would God still need to authenticate His message? Again, I am not placing any limits on an Omnipotent God but these days almost every second Charismatic receives more word from the Lord on a daily basis, than the true prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah did. The world seek guidance and answers and because their knowledge of the Word is compromised, they turn to these workers of iniquity who deceive them with their "new revelations". And they believe the lie because they lack the experience gained from a personal relationship with Jesus to compare these "revelations" to His truth. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 Please consider the following three questions: Can you be sincere and true when you seek recognition and honour from the world? Do you rely on extra-biblical revelations and do you believe they are infallible? Why don't people solely depend on the perfect Word of God, in other words, why is Scripture not all-sufficient in the case of many so-called Christians?
Pastors and teachers are there to offer guidance, not salvation. The answer in part to these questions are that without the indwelling Spirit, the Word of God remains illegible to a large extent. Because the Spirit breaks the truth in the Word of God into intelligible pieces making it possible for us to consume the true and deeper meaning. The Spirit of God also blesses the believer with sufficient faith to believe and trust in the written Word. I am not saying to ignore man because he is is untrustworthy. I say your trust and faith should be in Christ alone and it should stay in Him irrespective of your circumstances. But it is extremely hard to have faith in the unseen and to believe in your perception of the impossible. That is why people turn to the world. Because in reality, they turn to the possible and tangible. "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
Christ triumphed over the enemy and the forces of darkness through His work on the cross. So when the Enemy invades your personal life, even through general circumstances, you need to raise your voice to Jesus Christ in faith. Because even though the enemy continuously plans and sets up snares and stumbling blocks, believers can stand firm in the power of the Word of God. And knowledge on the Word becomes effective when Christians walk and pray in the Spirit. I am not referring to an intelligible "special" language, but to an ability to pray and walk according to His will and not yours. For such His truth becomes more illuminated. And illumination is when the true and deeper meaning is made irrevocably evident to you by the Holy Spirit.
Absolute surrender and trust in God accomplishes the denial of self and leads to praying and walking in the Spirit. Nothing can stand against the Word of God, and if you believe this promise by living it, you will receive blessings with a heavenly liberty that transcends human comprehension. And truly living the Word of God will invariably convict you to pray for more love, joy, peace, humility, goodness, faith, hope and obedience. Not power, significance, honour, prosperity and health. "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18
When Christians, representing all walks of life, apply the various illuminated Scriptures as collective strategies in their daily lives by living it, they will instill a fear in the kingdom of darkness that will reverberate throughout all dimensions. Because the power is real and tangible when a believer with the right mindset declares and lives the Word of God by faith. And although the attacks of Satan are real and indeed oppressing, you can find comfort in knowing God is in absolute sovereign control.
Yes, Satan is powerful, but the fact that he had to obtain permission to afflict Job, proves that he can do nothing apart from the will of God. The 450 Baal-prophets on Mt. Carmel were unable to set fire to their sacrifice when challenged by Elijah. Not because Satan chose not to adhere to their request, but because an Omnipotent God prohibited him. And when Balaam was paid by King Balak to curse the Israelite's and he instead blessed them, it was not because he had a change of heart, but because a Sovereign God compelled him to bless them. And even though both men were wicked in their ways, there was nothing they could do to thwart the will of Almighty God. "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose." Isaiah 46:9-10 The following is an extract from the Westminster Confession of Faith which effectively describes the principle of sola Scriptura in a nutshell:
"The whole counsel of God, concerning all the things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men."
These words undeniably show that the Word of God is infallible and all-sufficient. And unshakable faith in God is not attainable without the immovable faith in the all-encompassing truth contained in the Word of God. The one remains impossible without the other.
The main purpose in life is to know God and to glorify Him through your knowledge of Him. And because your knowledge increases, so your likeness to Christ increases. Our Potter is glorified when we conform to Christ. A glory which will never be feasible without rigorously applying the principle of sola Scripture. The following quote by Dr. Timothy Paul Jones beautifully encapsulates the importance of sola Scriptura:
"The Bible is inerrant in its inspiration, sufficient in its preservation, and dependent on the Spirit's illumination and sound interpretation for its application."