Theology of Scripture Flashcards
Define and distinguish “general revelation”
General revelation is information about God available to everyone through nature, history and God’s image in man-kind. General revelation shows some perfections of God, but it does not reveal that Christ is the only way to salva-tion.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.”—Psalm 19:1-4
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…“—Romans 1:20
Define and distinguish “special revelation.”
Special revelation is what God has revealed about himself, directly to human beings through special messengers (an-gels or prophets), Jesus Christ, or the Scripture. Certain theological knowledge—the Trinity, the plan of salvation—can come only through this method.
2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inspiration” of Scripture.
To say that the Scripture is inspired is to say the it is God’s special revelation—a product of God’s direct intellectual superintending of the men who wrote it. Therefore the inspired Scriptures are the very words of God and thus are the absolute and immutable authoritative rule for faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Define and defend the “necessity” of Scripture.
The Scriptures are necessary today because the light of nature and the works of creation and providence—though sufficient to render humanity without excuse—are not sufficient to give knowledge for salvation. Scripture alone makes plain the way of salvation, preserves the truth of God in writing, and comforts, guides, and establishes the church. It remains necessary until the end of time.
“…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”—2 Timothy 3:15
Rom 10:17 Faith comes by hearing the Word of God”
What is the “canon”? Defend it Scripturally.
Canon means rule, measure or standard. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience.
The Old Testament canon was confirmed by Jesus himself (Matthew 5:17-18). The New Testament was confirmed by Peter in 2 Peter 3:16 (Peter understands Paul to be writing Scripture)
Define the following terms: Infallible, Inerrant, Plenary, Verbal, Inspiration.
Infallible: Scriptures are incapable of teaching any error
Inerrant: Free from error in anything it teaches, whether historical, scientific or spiritual
Plenary: Extending to the whole of the written word —no part of it is less inspire than any
other part
Verbal: Extending to the very words used. The words themselves are inspired
Inspiration: The providential process by which God assured that the words that human authors of Scripture used were those words that expressed exactly what God intended to reveal.
What is distinctive about Reformed interpretation of Scripture?
The principle of private interpretation, that is, the right of the individual believer to interpret Scripture without the aid of a priest or any other. Fundamental to this distinction is the perspicuity of Scripture.
“…because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated in-to the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.”—WCF 1.8
What principles should guide our interpretation of Scripture?
Scripture is the only infallible rule of interpretation. When there is ambiguity concerning one passage, the true mean-ing must be found in other clearer portions of Scripture.
“The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”—WCF 1.9
Define and defend (including Scripture proofs) the “inerrancy” of Scripture.
The Bible is free from error in anything it teaches, whether historical, scientific or spiritual.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous alto-gether.”—Psalm 19:7-9
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
“The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duties God requires of man.”—WSC #3
