Sola Scriptura

Note: Longer English translations are from the Old King James Bible. Renderings of Greek words are my own.

In his second letter to Timothy, St Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16 OKJ). The Greek word employed here, ‘θεόπνευστος,’ can also mean “inspired by God.” This is a concept that has troubled many theologians, because the means or process of inspiration is never described. In this way the nature of Scripture is not unlike the nature of Christ Himself. Christ was born into human flesh, both true God and true man at the same time. Similarly, Scripture comes directly from the mind of God, revealed to his servants, not “by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). At the same time, it is by necessity presented in human language, within the framework of human history. So it is both inspired by God and written by men.

Many will follow false teaching and false prophets. Many more still will twist and pollute the Holy Word of God to their own selfish ends. But the Lord promises his Spirit will guide those who seek Truth, and promises to expose and punish all false prophets (Jer. 23:9-40). We know not how, but the Word of the Lord was delivered to His people through the prophets, and later these words were put into writing by men, through Divine inspiration. After Christ’s death and resurrection, this Holy Word was then offered to all men, once more inspired by the Holy Spirit through His apostles, so that all men might hear and be saved (Eph. 3: 2-6). While it is a powerful Divine mystery, it should still not shock us that God is able to act through human thought and human language to convey His message.

Throughout Scripture, we frequently see our Lord in his role as master of history, acting through the means of the world to achieve extraordinary things. As the children of Israel were escaping from the Egyptian host, the Lord by means of “a strong east wind” divided the Red Sea so that they might escape for good (Ex 14:21-29). They were delivered from their slavery by the hand of God, just as later they would be delivered by Him from their Babylonian exile.

God comes to us through these pages in simple, straight forward language. There is no heretical “Gnostic” revelation that lies outside human apprehension. There is no secret code. There is only the simple language right there on the page. Granted, while the words are there, sometimes the content is beyond us. John opens his Gospel by declaring the Son of God has taken on human flesh. This is beyond what we can understand with out own intellect. But it is wise not to become discouraged. Even Peter had difficulty understanding things Paul had written (2 Peter 3:16). As His children we must have faith that God’s promise is sufficient for us. We must place our trust in the Lord, even if we cannot grasp every passage.

A number of people doubt that all of Scripture comes directly from the Lord. Many Christians, for example, find it difficult to believe that God would have any interest in informing us that, “Nimrod was a mighty hunter” (Gen. 10:9). I will admit that I don’t see the exact significance of this information. Then I suppose it doesn’t require any sort of Vertical significance to be God’s Word. But all Scripture is God-breathed. God the Creator takes an interest in everything He created. He is present in these words, though not limited to them. It is only one way among many that He reveals Himself to us. Those who need to be accused by the Law are accused. And those who need to be lifted up by the Gospel are lifted up. God bestows His Spirit on all who read these words. Sins are condemned, promises are bountifully given, and the Good News of salvation through Christ our Lord is cheerfully proclaimed.

-Steve McGladdery