Today marks the beginning of Lententide, a six-week-long season leading up to Easter. Traditionally Christians have observed this season as a time for self-examination, reflection, and repentance in order to prepare our hearts, minds, and families for the great celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

 

Sola Scriptura: The Consummate Authority of God’s Word

 

The material principle of the Reformation is Sola Fide, faith alone.  But, the formal principle of the Reformation is Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone, for without the final authority of the Bible, we would have any certainty with which we might lay hold of saving faith.

 

“Scripture alone is the true lord and master of all writings and doctrines on earth. If that is not granted, what is Scripture good for?” Martin Luther

 

“I am bound by the Scriptures. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. The Scriptures, and the Scriptures alone, are the final arbiters of what we should believe.” Martin Luther

 

“By His authoritative Word, God has rendered faith unambiguous forever, a faith superior to all opinion.” John Calvin

 

“I approve only of those institutions which are founded upon the authority of God and derived from Scripture.” John Calvin

 

“The foundation of our faith is the written Word, the Scriptures of God.” Huldrych Zwingli

 

“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.” Westminster Confession of Faith

 

1: The Bible is Inspired: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Mtt 4:4; Mtt 24:35; 1 Thes 2:13

2: The Bible is Inerrant: 2 Ptr 1:20-21; Isa 40:8; Isa 8:20; Heb 6:18

3: The Bible is Clear: Rom 10: 17; Ps 119:105; Prov 30:5; Heb 4:12; Ps 119:60

4: The Bible is Sufficient: 2 Ptr 1:3-4; Ps 111:7-8; Jn 17:17; Ps 119:9-12; Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18-19

 

For Further Reading and Study:

Scripture Alone by R.C. Sproul (P&R)

The Shape of Sola Scriptura by Keith Mathison (Canon)

God’s Word Alone by Matthew Barrett (Zondervan)

 

 

Going Deeper #1

Making the Bible Our Vade Mecum

 

“We have to make the Bible our Vade Mecum, our book of reference, our book of trust. Let us be convinced more and more of the prodigious fertility of the Bible. How much lies hidden and unobserved, even after many perusals; and surely if a man read it an hundred times and find something on his next reading which he missed on all his former ones, oftener recourse to this means of grace bids fair for multiplying our blessings. Therefore, let us be quick to be in the way of grace." Thomas Chalmers

"The Spirit guides us unto all truth and all truth is to be found in the Bible--the Spirit therefore guides us unto the Bible." Thomas Chalmers

 

Bible Reading Rev 1:3

Quiet Time: Daily Devotions

Through the Bible in a Year

Proverb-a-Day

Saturation Reading

 

Bible Study 2 Tim 2:15

Book-by-Book

Topical Studies

Bible Tools

 

Family Devotions Eph 6:4

Bible Reading

Rabbit Trail Discussions

 

Corporate Worship 1 Tim 4:13

Singing

Praying

Preaching

Responding