Sources of wisdom and authority

Question 1

What is the Bible?
Give at least 2 facts

Answer 1

• Christian Holy Scripture made up of 66 books ( Protestant ) / 73 books (Catholic).
• key source of wisdom and authority for Christians - sole source of authority for Protestants subscribing to ‘Sola Scripture’ doctrine.
• split into the Old Testament and New Testament
• from Latin ‘biblia’ - the books
• written by around 40 different writers over the course of 1,500-1,600 years
• as of 1995, 5 billion copies have been sold / distributed
• over 100 million copies are printed every year

Question 2

What is the difference between the Old and New Testaments?

Answer 2

• Old Testament is the original Hebrew Bible, the sacred scripture of the Jewish people. It tells the first part of the story, beginning with the Creation of the world. It contains many laws, including the 10 commandments. Prophetic books contain insights of individuals into God’s purposes for Israel.
• New Testament was written after the life and death of Jesus. The Four Gospels (Matthew,Mark,Luke and John) tell the story of his birth, life, death and resurrection. They contain his key moral teachings e.g Sermon On The Mount as well as key moments in his life, such as those celebrated at Christmas and Easter. Acts tell the story of the early church, including St Paul’s conversion to Christianity and the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. St Paul’s 13 letters contain key theological and ethical teachings. Epistle of James teaches that ‘faith without works is dead’. Book of Revelation uses graphic imagery to describe the last judgement.

Question 3

Explain the meaning of St Paul’s teaching that ‘all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness’. ( 2 Timothy 3:16)

Answer 3

• Scripture (everything contained in the Bible) is the Word Of God - the words have been spoken by him.
• therefore, seen as infallible and inerrant - they are from God himself
• God has spoken through the authors of the texts - they have divine authority
• Scripture should therefore be used to teach, rebuke, correct and train people in righteousness - how to live a good, righteous life

Question 4

Explain the Evangelical Protestant View on the authority of the Bible. Refer to “Sola Scripture” in your answer.

Answer 4

• The Bible is the sole authority for Evangelical Protestants
• Martin Luther “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so’.
• Scripture is the infallible and inerrant Word of God - therefore sole source of authority
• Sola scripture - scripture alone is authoritative for the faith, practise and ethics of the Christian. The Bible is the complete, authoritative source of authority
• at the heart of the Protestant Reformation was Luther’s criticism of the Catholic Church for their ‘unbiblical teachings’

Question 5

Give a strength of the Evangelical Protestant view

Answer 5

Strengths - St Paul writes that ‘all scripture is God-breathed’ ( Timothy) - it is from God who has ‘given’ Christians the Bible as a guide. Therefore, it makes sense for Christians to treat the Bible as the sole source of authority. It comes from God!

St Paul also writes “Do not go beyond what is written.” This suggests that all morals / ethics / wisdom / knowledge is contained within scripture, and there is no need for any other source of authority for Christians.

Sola Scriptura ensures that human beings do not ever think their authority - or the authority of any Church - supersedes scripture; this reflects one of Luther’s key criticisms of the Catholic Church, that the church had developed ‘unbiblical teachings’ and given itself greater authority than scripture. This led to practices such as selling indulgences. By believing in the authority of scripture alone, this stops human beings / institutions using Christianity for their own advantage. It reminds humans that God alone is sovereign - His word alone should have the final say on all moral matters. It also avoids incorrect teachings from developing.

• it provides one authoritative source of moral authority and guidance - prevents morality becoming a matter of personal preference / opinion. ( key link meta ethics - emotivism ). Sets a clear moral standard that can be universally followed.
• Martin Luther “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so’. Clear source of belief and teachings.

Question 6

Give a weakness of the Evangelical Protestant View