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Sola Scriptura (Belgic Confession 7d)

Rev. Angus Stewart

 

Belgic Confession 7: The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures to Be the Only Rule of Faith
We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein. For, since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures; nay, though it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul saith. For, since it is forbidden to add unto or take away any thing from the Word of God, it doth thereby evidently appear that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects.

Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been, with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees, or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, for the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore we reject with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule, which the apostles have taught us, saying, Try the spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house.

As Reformed Christians, we believe what are popularly called the Five Points of Calvinism or “TULIP”: (1) Total Depravity, (2) Unconditional Election (and Reprobation), (3) Limited (or Particular) Atonement, (4) Irresistible Grace and (5) the Perseverance of the Saints. We also believe another five great truths: the five solas or alones or onlys of the Reformation. Salvation is in (1) Christ alone, by (2) grace alone, through (3) faith alone, to (4) the glory of God alone and according to (5) Scripture alone (sola Scriptura).

The last of these, sola Scriptura, is our present subject. To oversimplify Belgic Confession 7, if its first paragraph deals with the sufficiency of Scripture (which we have considered in the previous three articles), its second paragraph speaks of Scripture alone. To what does the phrase Scripture alone refer? Scripture alone is what? Scripture alone does what?

What Sola Scriptura Does Not Mean

Let us clear up some misunderstandings regarding sola Scriptura. It does not mean that the Bible is the only thing you need to pass your exams at school or university. The Word of God alone will not provide you with the latest news in politics, business or sport. Protestants do not believe that only Scripture is needed to operate one's computer.

Even in the religious sphere, we need to be clear as to what is not meant by sola Scriptura. First, not only the Bible but also the Holy Spirit is necessary for our salvation, for He enables us to believe, understand and obey Scripture. Second, it is not enough for you to stay at home with your Bible alone; Christians need the church. Third, it will not do for you merely to commune with God through your Bible. You also need fellowship with other believers. Fourth, the Reformed faith does not understand sola Scriptura to exclude faithful preaching. Fifth, we hold to Scripture alone but this does not rule out the two Christian sacraments, baptism and the Lord's Supper, as means of grace. Sixth, the same Reformation movement which taught sola Scriptura also and thereby insisted upon biblical office-bearers: pastors, elders and deacons. Seventh, it is precisely the Reformed churches which teach most clearly sola Scriptura which also produce and read good Christian books (other than the Bible), whether they be commentaries, theological works, devotional materials, church histories, etc. Eighth, sola Scriptura is not inconsistent with creeds either. Indeed, our Three Forms of Unity were written by men, and have been and are confessed by believers, who hold to Scripture alone. In fact, Belgic Confession 7 actually teaches sola Scriptura.

What Sola Scriptura Does Mean

In order to grasp what sola Scriptura means, let us consider some of the Word's own distinctive perfections. First, the Bible alone is inspired or God-breathed: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16). No other book is inspired and the Bible's inspiration is the basis for its other qualities.

Second, the Bible alone is infallible, that is, it cannot fail. Scripture is inerrant, without error or mistake, because it is infallible. Is Holy Writ the only thing which is inerrant? No. The statement 2 + 2 = 4 is inerrant. It is not false to claim that Paris is the capital of France. Even a fallible person can make inerrant assertions. But Scripture is the only infallible book in the world for, unlike fallible men and their fallible writings and speeches, God's Word cannot err.

Third, the Bible alone is God's verbal revelation today. I added the word “verbal” to the previous statement because there is non-verbal general revelation (Belgic Confession 2; Ps. 19:1-6). I added the word “today” because there was (oral) verbal revelation in the biblical days of the prophets and apostles.

“The Bible alone is the Word of God” is a famous Reformation slogan. In the light of the previous three paragraphs, we could faithfully explain it by expanding it: The Bible alone is the inspired and infallible written Word of God today. As such, Holy Writ is the highest and supreme judge in all doctrinal and ethical issues, regarding both faith and life, and indeed anything that it addresses.

Since only the Bible is inspired and inerrant verbal revelation, this unique book from God is the ultimate and final standard. Sola Scriptura concerns the authority, the judicial authority, of the Word of God and the God of the Word. You could say that the preposition of sola Sciptura is “over,” for the Word of God is over all things as the highest judge.

This is Westminster Confession 1:10 affirming sola Scriptura: “The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of counsels, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture.”

As the divine standard and authoritative judge, the Word of God (which is the speech of the Holy Spirit) tests, discerns, judges and passes sentence. Negatively, it condemns and damns evil doctrines and practices. Positively, it approves and commends godly doctrines and practices. Neutrally, it proclaims Christian liberty regarding non-moral issues, such as wearing brown or black shoes (adiaphora).

Proving Sola Scriptura

Now let us prove sola Scriptura from Scripture alone, the very Scriptures themselves! Out of the many passages which speak of God's Word as the highest judge and supreme standard for all doctrine and practice, I have chosen three.

First, we consider Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Scripture, “the law” and “the testimony” (v. 20), is the highest standard, according to which all spiritualists and wizards and their utterances (v. 19) must be judged. This principal of the supremacy of the Bible applies to all people and things, such that “if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (v. 20).

Second, Acts 17:10-11 reads, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” If the Bereans were commended by the Holy Spirit for testing the teaching of an apostle (Paul) to see if it agreed with the (Old Testament) Scriptures, then all doctrine and practice must be tested according to this perfect standard.

A third passage is Matthew 15:1-14, although it is too long to quote here. In this scene, there is a clash of religious teachers in the Jewish church: our Lord Jesus Christ versus the scribes and Pharisees (v. 1). Our Saviour explains, contrary to these false teachers, that God's Word trumps (erroneous) church traditions (vv. 3-6). Then He issues divine judgment upon these false teachers. He tells them that they are “hypocrites” (vv. 7-8) and that their “worship” is “vain” (v. 9). At this, these religious leaders are “offended,” as Christ's disciples inform Him (v. 12). The Lord answers by pointing out that they are reprobate: “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (v. 13). Since these men are “blind leaders of the blind,” Jesus commands His disciples not to apologize or try to mollify them: “Let them alone” (v. 14).

How blind they were to deny sola Scriptura by putting their own uninspired, fallible, errant and wicked traditions over the Word of God! How blind they were to lead others in their wicked ways! How blind they were to be offended at the Son of God for admonishing them! Hating sola Scriptura was a manifestation of their reprobation (v. 13).

On the other hand, those whose eyes are opened and illuminated by the Spirit of Jesus Christ see, recognize and rejoice in the Bible as the very oracles of God. Jehovah, the supreme judge of all men, thoughts, words, books and institutions, has appointed His Word as the highest authority. Thus the believer submits to its righteous judgment on him, his life, his family, his church, his country, etc., and seeks forgiveness and new obedience in the cross of Jesus Christ. Loving sola Scriptura is a manifestation of God's gracious election.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What are the Five Points of Calvinism and the five solas? How are they related?

2. What is the difference and relationship between the inerrancy and the infallibility of Scripture?

3. Express in your own words what sola Scriptura does and does not mean.

4. How would you prove this crucial biblical and Reformed truth from the Word of God?