The Bible (WSC 3, 88-90)

Question 1

Define and Distinguish General and Special revelation.

Answer 1

1. General = God reveals certain truth about himself to all mankind, on the basis of creation alone (Psalm 19, Rom. 1:19-20)
2. Special = God reveals the way of redemption from sin, which is sufficient for salvation in Christ, which is now found in Scriptures (2 Peter 1:19-21; Heb. 1:1-3)

Question 2

Define and Defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inspiration” of Scripture.

Answer 2

Inspiration = The Bible is breathed out by God himself.

Both the revelation and the record of that revelation are inspired by the Holy Spirit through historical men who were active participants in the process.

i. The Writers = the men were directly inspired (2 Peter 1:21) or “carried along” by the Holy Spirit
ii. The Output = the final form of Scripture is directly breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16)

• 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 1:10-12

Question 3

What is the canon? Defend it Scripturally.

Answer 3

Canon = Collection of Scriptural books that God has given his people, which are distinguished by

1. their divine qualities,
2. reception by the collective body,
3. and their apostolic connection, either by authorship or association

OT Canon = Luke 24:44 (Jesus says there is a structure: law, prophets, psalms)

NT canon = 2 Peter 3:16 (Peter refers to Paul as scripture); 1 Tim. 5:18 (cites saying of Jesus as Scripture); Rev. 22:18-19 (no one add to this book)

Question 4

Define and Defend the “authority” of Scripture.

Answer 4

The Bible is the sole, definitive authority over the faith and practice of the church.

• What Scripture says, God says.
• Because it is the Word of God, the Bible has supreme authority for faith and life, and is supreme over all other sources of authority.

Psalm 95:7 - God exercises his authority through his word.

• The Bible’s authority is self-authenticating (Heb. 6:16-18; WCF 1.4-5)

Question 5

Define and defend the “sufficiency” of Scripture.

Answer 5

The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for:

• • His glory
• • man’s salvation
• • faith and life

is set down in Scripture, or may be deduced from Scripture. (WCF 1.6)

• Scripture is sufficient for salvation, doctrine, and godliness as we live by faith in this world; it does not teach us everything about everything.
  i. Deut. 8:3, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Tim. 3:15-17
  ii. WCF 1.6

Question 6

Define and defend the “perspicuity” of Scripture.

Answer 6

The essential teachings of the Bible are clear and accessible (the plain things are the main things)

• External: The Scriptures are a spiritual light far brighter than the sun, especially in what relates to salvation and godliness.
• Internal: The Word of God provokes conflict with the World: The Spirit is therefore needed for the understanding of all Scripture and every part of Scripture.”
• Psalm 119:105

Question 7

What is distinctive about the Reformed interpretation of Scripture?

Answer 7

WLC 157, WCF 1.9

“The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: let the clear place shed light on the unclear places.” (Acts 15:15, John 5:46, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Other Distinctives:
- Continuity between the old and new testaments (covenantal reading)
- The right of the individual believer to interpret Scripture
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Question 8

What principles should guide our interpretation of Scripture?

Answer 8

WCF 1 = “infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself. When there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture, it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”

WLC 157:

• • High respect
• • Persuasion they are the Word of oGod
• • Only he can help us understand them
• • desire to know, believe and obey
• • With meditation, application, self-denial, and prayer

Question 9

Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inerrancy” of Scripture?

Answer 9

The Bible is perfect, accurate, and totally free from all error. It is fully true in all that it affirms. Because the Bible is the Word of God, the bible is wholly true and trustworthy.

Infallbility = The Bible cannot error

Inerrant = The bible is without error

Titus 1:1-3 → God cannot lie
Psalm 19:9; 119:160= Wholly true
Psalm 12:6 = Unmixed with error
John 10:35 = Scripture cannot be broke

Question 10

What do the Scriptures principally teach?

Answer 10

WSC 3 = What man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of men.