Chapter 2 God's Written Word Flashcards
The Authority of Scripture
We do not give it authority, rather we recognize it’s authority. The Word creates the Church
Holy Spirit and Scripture
The HS, through the inward work, produces our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority.
- He inspired the test and illumines the text for us to receive and respond to it.
- The HS witness is not the basis nor reason for confidence in Scriptures authority, but the source of the faith
Scripture
No authority or witness is higher than God
God is an adequate witness to his Word
Verbal-Plenary Inspiration
(the words themselves are inspired - in its entirety - breathed out) The words of the prophets & apostles are exhaled by God & thus can be called the words of God
God acts in 2 ways
All of God’s revealed acts in creation, all things happen: from the Father, in the Son, by the Spirit.
- Let there be… an d the the earth bring forth
Scripture and 3 legged stool
Father: It comes from the Father & therefore has authority
Son: its focus is what God has done through his Son & just as Jesus Christ is fully human, it exhibits everywhere marks of its human origin
Spirit: the Spirit testifies within us that it is true & helps us understand it
Inerrancy
without errors (Only achieved through the Triune God. God is not mistaken, Son is Truth, Spirit does not force the free will of the individual.)
- Pertains to original autographs
- It does not cancel human agency (Mechanical theory of dictation)
- Authors weren’t omniscient or perfect in understanding
- Authors weren’t exhaustive or exact.
Covenant of Redemption
an eternal covenant within the Trinity
Covenant of Creation
made with Adam – promise of immortality conditional upon obedience
Cov. with Noah – renewal of the cov after the Flood
Cov. with Abraham – pts to the New Covenant
Cov. with Israel - made through Moses (Law)
Covenant of Grace
the New Covenant
The Clarity of Scripture
When we make the Bible’s own preoccupations our own, it is extremely clear
- what is the author trying to say
The Authority of the Church
Regulative Principle: “The church’s authority goes only as far as the canon allows, but must submit to everything that the canon contains.”
- cannot speak where scripture is silent
- necessary teaching (eg. trinity)
Magisterium
Catholic Church combines Scripture and tradition as one source of ruling authority
Ministerial
The Church and the tradition guide us in interpreting the Scriptures
