Sola Scriptura

I am finally getting around to writing this blog. It has been in my head the past several weeks as I keep reading and re-reading this one chapter in James Montgomery Boice's Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace. As some of you may know, and others of you are about to learn, this book is about the five solas of the Reformation, and how we need to review and rethink how the solas apply in our day. The chapter I have been parked on for the last few times that I have picked up the book is the chapter on Sola Scriptura.

As JMB points out, in the Reformation Sola Scriptura was focused on the authority of scripture. The pope's words were often considered in authority over the Bible even if they were not in line with it. The common man did not have access to scripture, and was encouraged to just take the church's word. The leaders of the Reformation understood that God's word was written to men and that it had authority in every situation, including over the authority of the pope. In Protestant churches, we have pretty much accepted that the Bible is authority, or at least we claim to accept that. In our day, we don't necessarily need to promote Sola Scriptura as the authority of scripture, but instead need to realize the sufficiency of scripture.

What JMB is getting at on the sufficiency of scripture is that we seem to think in our churches that the scripture is not enough. We come up with gimmicks and acrostics and convincing ways of sharing the Gospel instead of using the Scriptures. We fill our teaching times and sermons with words of men and literature instead of depending upon God's word. As I thought about what he is saying, I realized the truth he is speaking about. Our churches are full of teachers that do not know how to teach God's word. What I mean by that is that they are great at teaching the words of men about God's word, but fail to study God's word in depth to prepare for each Sunday. I fall into this trap myself. I go to the extreme of reading more and more commentaries instead of more and more Bible. The other extreme is to not use the Bible as the main text at all, but just to support a theme or proposition. Expository preaching is rare in churches across America.

Here are the three things that JMB reminds us that the Scripture is sufficient for: (1) salvation; (2) sanctification; and (3) social reform. One thing to remember about the importance of the Bible is that the Holy Spirit works when the Bible is read and taught. That isn't the only way that the Holy Spirit has decided to act, but it is the main way that the Holy Spirit works. When we stop teaching God's word, in effect, we are quenching the Holy Spirit. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit inspired the words that are written in the Bible, so to turn away from the Bible is to turn our backs on the Holy Spirit.

First, JMB points out that the Bible is sufficient for salvation. We have lost this concept in our churches. We teach clever ways of presenting the gospel instead of memorizing scripture that can be used by the Holy Spirit to change hearts. Many in the church can tell you the ABC's of salvation, but cannot use the Beatitudes or the outline of the book of Romans to teach a correct understanding of repentence and God's grace. In case you think that I am out of line here, I will support my statements with scripture from Romans 10:

12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
13for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

We need to remember that Christ is the living word and the Bible is the written word of God. The Holy Spirit rewards those who hear His word and respond.

Second, JMB points out that the Bible is sufficient for sanctification. Unfortunately, many in our churches wanted a how-to book written by men instead of dealing with the root problem pointed out by God in the Bible. It is sickening to see how many "Christian" how-to books there are on the market, and how many people replace the Bible for these books. You can read books on how to deal with anger and that give you a 5-step or 10-step process of dealing with anger, but those cannot replace God's word that states anger starts within the heart. For those of you who may question my belief about how-to books, trust me, I have read them. Some by good authors, some by not so good authors. The problem is that I never dealt with the real issue until I started studying God's word. The Bible is like a magnifying mirror with the Holy Spirit pointing out things I did not even realize were sins like imperfections on my soul. All the self-help books could not do that. Yes, they might have pointed out some attitudes, but many fail to point out the root sins, which are lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16). Many of the books also fail to point out that we need to realize how holy God is and how unrighteous we are before change can result (just take a look at the Sermon on the Mount to come to that conclusion).

On a more personal note for me, the Bible speaks to all people. What I mean by that is that most of the literature out there is written for a particular ethnic group or social class, either intentionally or inadvertently because of the author's experiences. If you don't believe me, try teaching literature that children from your ethnic group and experience enjoy to another group of children from a different ethnic group and experience. It is hard. However, if you depend upon the Bible, you will not have the same problem because the Bible was written to all men of all experiences. All men can listen to good sermons by any preacher that preaches the Bible and you can really see the Holy Spirit begin to work.

Third, JMB points out that the Bible is sufficient for social reform. Again, this goes along with what I was saying about the Bible speaking to all people. If we focused more on God and His word, there would be less conflict in our homes, our churches, our cities, our states, our nation, and our world. I am not suggesting that we end the separation of church and state or anything like that. We have to remember that we are not a chosen nation (although we may be a blessed nation) because God has chosen for His nation and kingdom to be made up of the invisible church (see the book of Ephesians for that mystery revealed).

I want to encourage everyone to stop quenching the Spirit by failing to read God's word or to teach God's word. It is time that we start to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit by allowing Him to teach through us by proclaiming the word revealed. I also encourage you to supplement your study by reading books by great men of God who point to God's glory and God's word instead of their own. These books do not replace the Bible or the work of the Holy Spirit, but do provide godly counsel on issues such as the sufficiency of scripture. All of this should be done to the glory of God!