WCF 01 Of the Holy Scriptures Flashcards
What are the two ways God makes himself know to all people?
The Light of Nature in Man, and the Works of God in creation and providence.
What are the uses of natural revelation?
Strips all excuses, reveal the divinity and excellency of God
Is one able to construct a natural theology form General revelation?
Nature declares plainly that God is, but nature is not sufficient to reveal God effectually to their salvation
What are the two stages of special revelation?
verbal (prophets); Scripture
What are the three ways God revealed Himself in the history of redemption?
visions, dreams, and face-to-face
According to Calvin, why inscripturation necessary?
We are prone to forget God and we tend toward error. “By His word, God rendered faith unambiguous forever.” –Calvin Inscripturation preserves and propagates the truth on “public tablets”.
Are there other places or means today by which God reveals Himself?
Still in nature, but with regard to special revelation, those former ways God reveals his will unto HIs people being now ceased Heb. 1
Define Scripture?
The Written Word of God
Define Inspiration?
Not dictation but God guides the writer in his selection of words.
2 Peter 1:21 Supernatural control of the writer of Scripture so that what he writes is as though God is speaking.
Supernatural. God-breathed. Dynamic-organic. The whole man is really involved. Verbal Plenary
What should be your response to Scripture?
Calvin: “reverently embrace” Obey and treasure his word Ps 119
Wherein lies the authority of Scripture?
God is its author. The Spirit of God bearing witness by and with Scripture in the heart of man
What three types of evidence?
External (witness of the church), Internal (heavenliness of the matter, efficacy of the doctrine, majesty of the style, consent of the whole), Spiritual (The Holy Spirit bearing witness in and with our hearts)
How does the witness of the church bear on the authority of Scripture?
The church’s reverence for Scripture testifies to its esteem of its authority to those outside.
What are the internal evidences listed here?
heavenliness of the matter efficacy of the doctrine majesty of the style consent of the whole scope of whole in giving glory to God
What the ultimate proof? (of Scripture)
The Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man.
How (does the Spirit’s testimony to Scripture) this work?
bearing witness in and with our hearts
What two great areas to which God speaks in Scripture?
faith and practice (What man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man)
What two-fold manner teaching?
Expressly set down in Scripture Or by good and necessary consequence deduced from Scripture
What two aspects of church life emphasized here?
The worship of God and the government of the Church.
What does perspicuity of Scripture mean?
Not all things are equally plain, but all that we need to know for salvation can be understood by anyone who studies the Bible using ordinary means.
What are ordinary means?
Reading and meditating on Scripture with prayer. Along with the preaching of God’s word.
What principles may we derive for interpreting the Bible?
Scripture interprets Scripture, the meaning of Scripture is single, and the more clear passages interpret the less clear.
What is the most important rule of interpretation?
Scripture interprets Scripture.
Why must we learn Greek and Hebrew?
Because they are the original languages the Bible was written in, so those texts are authentical.
What mean authentical?
They are authoritative for deciding doctrinal questions.
Should we consider our English language Bibles as authoritative?
A translation that is faithful to the original is important for teaching salvation, but not adequate for resolving controversies.
