Bibliology 101

I'll start by stating my gratitude for the kind words and effort so many of you put into the first blog. The number of readers was overwhelming, and the average time spent on the page was over 20 minutes. That means you not only saw the article, but read it with detail. I'm truly humbled, and pray that you continue to read these blogs with an open mind and a desire to learn. I will do my best to keep your attention and interest, but keep in mind what I said in my first blog: it takes work. Reading is work. Thinking is work. It's work that's sacrificial. But Doug Wilson stated it best, "the act of reading is a sacrifice, and it's a sweet-smelling sacrifice that ascends up to God. It's a sweet-smelling sacrifice that He receives."

I want to begin with a basic beginner's study into systematic theology. Don't let the term scare you. It simply means theology made into a system or doctrine. If we study Christ, we would study the doctrine of Christology. We would pull verses together throughout Scripture into one doctrine to have a clear understanding of who Christ is. The first doctrine you study in systematic theology is Bibliology, the study of the Bible. I think that is a good place to start, and we won't cover it all in one blog. You can expect blogs pertaining to other matters interspliced with our series on Bibliology, but overall we will follow doctrines one at a time. We will discuss what Scripture is, how it was preserved, the history of our English Bible, controversies pertaining to it, and why we only use the books in our Protestant Bibles. We will also talk about, in some minor detail, textual variants and why you shouldn't be discouraged by the footnote in your Bible that says Some Manuscripts Omit... Some of that may seem pointless to you, but understand that the Bible has a history that is often attacked by those even within the church. Also, you should not be offput by thumbing through a Catholic Bible and seeing books you've never seen before. We will discuss things in layman's terms in the future, so enjoy!

I'll add before we dive in that I hope you don't find this topic boring. One of my favorite doctrines to study is Bibliology, and is one of the main reasons I began pursuing a doctorate. Textual Criticism and Biblical history fascinate me, and I believe every Christian with as many resources as we do should have at least a surface level understanding. It's how we got the Bible, for crying out loud! Doesn't the history of the most important book ever written spark your interest? Even more, a Book written by God?

Now, let's dive in...

Going back to the 16th century, once the Reformation had begun and people were coming to a Protestant conviction, a simple summary was made to distinguish what specifically made someone Protestant and not Roman Catholic. We recognize these today as the 5 Solas. They are as follows: Sola Scriptura, Sola Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Soli Deo Gloria, or in English, Scripture Alone, Through Christ Alone, Through Faith Alone, By Grace Alone, to the Glory of God Alone.

Notice the first Sola, Scriptura. A distinguishing factor of Protestantism is that we believe in the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture Alone. Sola Scriptura was not a new idea that came around at the birth of the Reformation, but a standard we find even in Scripture. The Bible is Sola Scriptura. Paul references it in I Corinthains 4:6,

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (ESV)

One of the major problems Jesus faced with the Pharisees was that they no longer held to Biblical truth but replaced it with tradition. Jesus, believing the Scriptures to be infallible and authoritative, pointed and appealed back to it as the source of truth.

And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (Mark 7:5-9 ESV)

This does not mean that we can't read helpful books or learn more through preaching, church history, or confessions. My wife and I are members of a confessional Reformed Baptist church, meaning we hold to a confession of faith that we recite in part each Sunday. There are confessions such as the Westminster Confession that Presbyterians hold to, or the 1689 London Baptist Confession which is more common among Reformed Baptists, both independent and Southern Baptist. But our confessions are not in addition to Scripture. They are confessions made from Scripture because we are Sola Scriptura.

There are two ways in which God reveals Himself.

General Revelation - General Revelation is how God has revealed Himself through creation. The Reformers would have acknowledged this also in light of Sola Scriptura, not in spite of it.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:18-20 ESV)

When we look out of a window, we see the power of God and His divine nature glaring back at us like a beacon. We can see the uniformity and control which God directs and decrees each object. We can look towards the sky and see that God orbits us perfectly away from a source of light as to not burn alive or freeze to death. We see how God provides for the animals, even the birds (Matt. 6:26). We can look at each other and see God's image stamped on every person.

I'll note here that the most common attack on God's existence is directed towards General Revelation, and we should expect as much. If what can be known of God is clearly perceived through His creation, then that must be the first evidence to be debunked. If people want to convince others that God does not exist, then they must stash the evidence that declares it. As if they were saying, "I know all this looks like God created it, but trust me, it's not what it looks like."

Special Revelation - Special Revelation is what God reveals directly about Himself through His Word. It fills in the gap humans need to know God and obtain salvation. General Revelation does not tell us that the angels stand around His throne singing "Holy, Holy, Holy." General Revelation does not reveal to us Jesus, how we are to live, and how we are to receive His inheritance. But Special Revelation is God communicating directly to us. God wrote us a book that we can read and study about Him to learn His attributes, but also to learn about ourselves.

The Book God gave us begins in the first 3 chapters with how He created the world and His intention for it. He is also quick to tell us of how we messed it all up. How Adam and Eve plunged our human race into depravity, and how we still carry and live it out today.

As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips." “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Rom. 3:10-18 ESV)

Without Special Revelation, we would never know that God's name is Yahweh. We would never know that He exists in three persons. We would never know that the one who created all things knows us, loves us, and is sovereign over us. We would never know that we sinned before an Almighty God, and that we were guilty before Him. General Revelation would not suffice to communicate that.

Its Inspiration

Paul writes, 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 KJV). A more literal translation would be that all Scripture is God-breathed, as if you put your hand in front of your mouth while speaking and felt your breath. That is how the Bible was given. Literally, it is from the mouth of God.

No other religious book in history carries with it the attestation and uniformity in which Scripture carries. Spanning 1500 years with over 40 different authors, no other book can possibly relate. The only way in which a book with so many different authors at different times in history can be uniform is if it contains the same original author. Peter writes, For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (II Pet. 1:21 ESV)

Yet, even though God spoke through them, each individual writer uses their own language and style. A good example of this is Matthew 19:24, where Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew, when referring to the needle, uses the Greek word referring to a sewing needle. When Luke, who was a doctor, gives the account of this passage in 18:25, he uses the Greek term for a medical needle. Each writer communicated the same thing, but used their own background and personality to write.

Knowing what Scripture is and what it is used for, it is crucial that we understand its completeness. Scripture cannot be added to. The Bible ends in Revelation 22:18-19,

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (ESV)

There can never be another book added to Scripture. It is wholly complete. God is not continuing Special Revelation. There will not be another direct message from the Lord apart from Scripture. We have everything we need to believe. Jesus makes this clear when He gives a parable about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man looks up from Hades and begs Abraham,

Send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.

Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ (Luke 16:27b-31 NIV)

It is easy to think of Scripture as merely the book we pick up on our way out the door on Sunday mornings. We refer to it as the Good Book, know some verses from it, and remind ourselves of some passages that bring us comfort when we're overwhelmed or stressed. But Scripture is meant for more than that. It is the guidebook and standard we use to shape our worldview and the way we live. We use the Bible to see the example Christ is and how we are to mimic Him. As Christians, it is the standard by which we structure our morality and ethics. Our opinions about lifestyle and sin are completely irrelevant if not saturated with God's Word. Since He is the creator of all things, He has dominion over all things. We are not at liberty to have our own opinions on matters such as sexual orientation. God created sexuality, therefore, only He can define it through His Word. We are not at liberty to have our own opinions on matters such as when a baby becomes a human. God is the creator of life, therefore, only He can define when life begins through His Word. We are not at liberty to define God based on how we think God should be. He is God, and only He can reveal His character through His Word.

A worldview not built upon the Bible is no legitimate worldview at all. Our thoughts and opinions on any matter must be in light of, and in reference to God's Word. A Christian’s life is structured around the Bible. If we are lovers of truth, then we build our lives upon the foundation of Scripture, which is truth (John 17:17). I emphasize this because we do not regard the Bible high enough in the, ironically named, “Bible-belt.”

Are you willing to let Scripture be your final authority? There will be times throughout our studies together where passages are going to be given that you may have never considered before and many Christians will be offended. Not all of them will be passages about sin, but many about the nature of God. If Scripture challenges your presuppositions about God and His character, are you willing to let it change your mind? When we get to Soteriology, are you willing to let the Bible structure your theology? What happens most often when being forced to face difficult passages that we usually skim over is people deny them. Or, they give another verse in an attempt to overrule that one. Or, they quote something a preacher said to void the Bible verse. Or, a person truly unwilling to let the Bible change them will say, “well, I was just raised to believe different.” That is not how true Bible believers study Scripture. That is not Sola Scriptura.

Sola Scriptura... Seriously

The reason this is so important to address and hammer out is because there are a lot of Christians within Evangelicalism who are not Sola Scriptura in the slightest, even in some Baptist circles *insert painful heart clinch*. John MacArthur pointed out in a Q&A that after writing a book about everything the Bible said about heaven, his book sold a couple hundred thousand copies. The book only addressed what the Bible said pertaining to heaven. Then, a book was published about a 4-year-old's self-proclaimed experience in heaven, and the book sold over 11 million copies. People are not satisfied with Scripture Alone. They are always seeking extra-biblical revelation.

Another young person who wrote a similar book titled The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven later repented of his publication and confessed his conviction of Sola Scriptura. He later stated, "I said I went to heaven because I thought it would get me attention. When I made the claims I did, I had never read the Bible. People have profited from lies, and continue to. They should read the Bible, which is enough. The Bible is the only source of truth. Anything written by man cannot be infallible." (Quote taken from a New Your Post article titled Teen admits he lied about dying, going to heaven 01/16/2015) I would wager that the article wasn't near as popular as the book.

If you go to church to hear a "prophet" prophesy a direct word from the Lord, you are not Sola Scriptura. If you claim that God spoke audibly to you or through someone else, you are not Sola Scriptura. The point in declaring Scripture Alone was to overrule the office of the Pope and authority of Roman Catholic church councils, that God had spoken through Scripture and did not continue to reveal ongoing Special Revelation. You cannot deny the legitimacy of the Pope while believing God does the same thing through someone at your church.

You may come back with, “but haven’t you said you felt called to study for the ministry?” Well, let’s define our terms. Certainly, God communicates with us through conviction. That’s not audible. That’s the Holy Spirit working through our conscience to make us more like the Son. Those convictions are personal, by the way . Your conscience isn’t Bible for everyone else, so we can't hold people accountable to what we are convicted in our conscience about. We can only hold people accountable to Scripture. We will cover that more in the future when we consider Christian Liberty.

When someone says they were “called” to be a pastor or missionary, what most mean is they had a desire to serve the Lord in ministry and believed that is the path God wants them to pursue. None of the men that I studied with who likewise said they were called into ministry would say God literally spoke to them and told them to be a pastor. II Thessalonians 2:14 says God calls people to salvation through the gospel. That does not mean each Christian gets an audible message from God to tell them to be a Christian, but they are drawn to Him by conviction over their sin and a desire to repent and follow Jesus. They see that their sins need atoning for, so they cry out to Jesus for salvation. They didn’t hear the voice of God, but God changed and convicted their hearts. God does work in our hearts, and He changes people through prayer and His Word. But he doesn’t speak to them audibly. He’s already spoken.

It's worth noting that the way a cult usually begins is by a man saying God spoke to him. Imagine if in the early 1800s when a troubled 17-year-old boy said he’d been delivered a message from God through an angel that the reaction he received from others was “Sola Scriptura.” Mormonism would not be a thing today as people would be convinced that continuing Special Revelation had ceased.

We must cling to God’s final and complete Special Revelation. Remember the one question that led to our banishment from the Garden. The reason we all wear clothes today. The reason that when we work, it is difficult. The reason childbirth carries with it agony. The reason we carry the chains of our depravity even in our mother’s womb. The reason that we endure illness, suffering, and death. One small question that carried with it eternal consequences. Hath God said? (Genesis 3:1)

A few questions I have for someone who believes in prophets today or believes God speaks audibly to them, what do you believe Scripture is lacking? Do you know the Bible well enough to say you have squeezed the truth out of each chapter and verse until it has nothing left to give you? And finally, what about the Bible are you discontent with?

I find that when someone can't back their idea up with Scripture, especially when they are strongly convicted about it, they tend to resort to "God told me." Sometimes they insist that you pray about it too so that God will tell you also. Friends, if God still speaks to people individually and audibly, then Scripture has no authority. And frankly, given the warning passages about adding to Scripture, it should shake us to our core to say that God has said something that is not in the pages of Scripture. Christians cling to Scripture as their final authority because it is the mode in which God chose to reveal Himself to His creation. He has spoken and has nothing more to add, giving you a multitude of translations to help you know and understand it. Don't turn the light out and sit in a dark room waiting to hear the voice of God like some Evangelicals suggest. Turn the light on and open your Bible to hear God speak. If you want to hear Him speak audibly, read it out loud.