B. The Bible (WCF 1; WLC 1-6, 154-160; WSC 3, 88-90) Flashcards
Define and distinguish “general revelation” and “special revelation.”
- General – the light of nature given by God in the works of creation and providence (Ps 19, Rom 1:19-20; 2:14-15)
- Special – the Bible, Christ incarnate (Heb 1)
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inspiration” of Scripture.
God used the intellect, skills, and personality of fallible men, moved by the Holy Spirit, to write the Bible.
* 2 Peter 2:19, 21 (Men of God spoke moved by the Holy Spirit)
* 2 Timothy 3:16 (God-breathed)
Define and defend the “necessity” of Scripture.
Scripture, understood as divine revelation, is absolutely necessary but as a written book it is made necessary to the church by God.
* “God… was not bound to the Scriptures, but he has bound us to them.” (Turretin)
* Romans 10:13-17 “how are they to believe…”
* Christ is our Teacher (Mt 23:8) and all the Scriptures speak of Him (Lk 24)
* The Spirit impresses Scripture upon us (Is 59:21)
What is the “canon”? Defend it scripturally.
list of books belonging in the Bible
* canon is not decided by discovered
* the Spirit bears witness to the Church that written words are divine revelation.
OT
- Jesus’ view of the OT (John 10 - unbreakable, Matt 5:17-18 - Jesus fulfills, Heb. 1:1 - God spoke by prophets; Mt. 4 - Temptation)
- NT quotations on of the OT (Heb 10 - Holy Spirit speaks)
- 2 Timothy 3:14-16 - indicates OT is breathed out by God
- 1 Timothy 5:18 - qoutes OT as Scripture.
NT
- 1 Tim. 5:18 qoutes Jesus from Mt 10/Lk 10 as Scripture
- Holy Spirit will teach you (John 14)
- 2 Peter 3:16 (Paul’s writings as Scripture)
- Agreement of NT with OT - “whole counsel” (Acts 20:27) aligns with the OT (Acts 26:22)
Define and defend the “authority” of Scripture.
Scripture depends on no other source other than God and is the foundation (Eph. 2:20) of the Church and Christian life.
* This is what the Bible claims for itself (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16)
* “The heavenliness of the matter, the majesty of style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, etc.” (WCF I:V)
* Self-attesting- prophecies, etc.
Define and defend the “sufficiency” of Scripture.
“It lacks nothing at all that would produce living for God, that is, nothing necessary to believe or do for salvation. (Mastricht)
* 2 Timothy 3:16
* Ps. 19:7-8
Define and defend the “perspicuity” (clarity) of Scripture.
“All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them” (WCF I:VII)
* Psalm 119:130 “imparts understanding to the simple”
* 2 Cor. 4:3-6 - darkened to the unbeliever but light to those who believe
* 2 Peter 3:16 - Paul can be hard to understand
What principles should guide our interpretation of Scripture?
- Scripture interprets Scripture; the clear illumines the unclear
- We should read it with a high esteem that this is indeed the word of God
- Scripture is the supreme judge in matters of faith and practice
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inerrancy” of Scripture.
“God’s authoritative Word is wholly true and trustworthy in everything it claims about what was, what is, and what will be.” (Vanhoozer)
* Mt 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:25 - (Not destroyed and pass away)
* Ps. 19:8-9; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18 - (God does not lie),
* John 10:35 - (Scripture cannot be broken)
* Jn 17:17 - (is truth itself)
What do the Scriptures principally teach (Q3)?
The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
