Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. [Heb 11:3] |
Bible Question:
Dear Forum members, I understand this much about Sola Scriptura - that the Bible is the sole authoritative word of God. Please correct me if this is a wrong understanding and what if any tenets are listed in this understanding? I did go to Cristian.org and read the article but wonder if there is such a list which I am describing of tenets. Thanks everyone for putting up with my ignorance about some things some times...Tam |
Bible Answer: Culled from Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology (Part I)... Doctrine of the Authority of Scripture: It is one thing to affirm that the Bible claims to be the words of God. It is another thing to be convinced that those claims are true. Our ultimate conviction that the words of the Bible are God's words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts and gives us an inner assurance that these are the words of our Creator speaking to us. Just after Paul has explained that his apostolic speech consists of words taught by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:13), he says, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). Apart from the work of the Spirit of God, a person will not receive spiritual truths and in particular will not receive or accept the truth that the words of Scripture are in fact the words of God. We are persuaded of the truthfulness of Scripture, since God cannot lie or speak falsely (Titus 1:2). Therefore, all the words in Scripture are completely true and without error in any part. God's words are the ultimate standard of truth. Per 2 Tim 3:16 all Scripture is profitable for (1) teaching for correct belief, (2) reproof for rebuking incorrect belief, (3) correction of unrighteous behavior, (4) training in righteousness behavior. (Note that orthodoxy deals with right thinking, and orthopraxy deals with right living.) Doctrine of the Clarity of Scripture: The clarity of Scripture means that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God's help and being willing to follow it. This effects the role of scholars (students of the Word) such that (1) they can teach Scripture clearly; (2) they can explore new areas of understanding the teachings of Scripture; (3) they can defend the teachings of the Bible against the attacks by others; and (4) they can supplement the study of Scripture for the benefit of the church. Deut 6:6-7 Human reactions to the Word of God: Mat 13:1-9, 18-23 Characteristics of unregenerate hearts: (1) lack of understanding robs them; (2) persecution withers them; (3) cares of the world choke them; the net result being that (4) they are unfruitful. Characteristics of regenerate hearts: (1) love of the Word of God; (2) improves under affliction; (3) thrives through temptations; (4) produces fruit in measure. Doctrine of the Necessity of Scripture: The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowing the Gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God's will, but is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws. The Bible is necessary (1) to know the Gospel; (2) maintaining a spiritual life; and (3) for knowing God's will. However, the Bible is not necessary for (4) knowing that God exists and (5) knowing something about God's character and moral laws. Nothing substitutes for the truth of the Word of God: 1 Peter 1:17-25 Modern society tries to replace (1) the power of the purity with public opinion, (2) submissive obedience with rugged individualism, (3) sincere, deep love with shallow human affection, (4) divine regeneration with human decision making, (5) the eternal Word of God with human philosophy. Doctrine of the Sufficiency of Scripture: The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. 1. The sufficiency of Scripture should encourage us as we try to discover what God would have us to think (about a particular doctrinal issue) or to do (in a particular situation). 2. The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that we are to add nothing to Scripture and that we are to consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture. 3. The sufficiency of Scripture also tells us that God does not require us to believe anything about himself or his redemptive work that is not found in Scripture. 4. The sufficiency of Scripture shows us that no modern revelations from God are to be placed on a level equal to Scripture in authority. 5. The sufficiency of Scripture, with regard to living the Christian life, reminds us that nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicitly or by implication. 6. The sufficiency of Scripture also tells us that nothing is required of us by God that is not commanded in Scripture either explicitly or by implication. 7. The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that in our doctrinal and ethical teaching we should emphasize what Scripture emphasizes and be content with what God has told us in Scripture. |