Grounding Understanding of God in Scripture Alone Theologically
Grounding Understanding of God in Scripture Alone
The concept of grounding one's understanding of God in Scripture alone is rooted in the biblical text itself. The Bible asserts the existence of God and provides a framework for understanding His nature and character [1, 2]. In Deuteronomy 4:39 and 6:4, Moses emphasizes the uniqueness of God, a theme reiterated by the prophets, such as Isaiah 44:6 and 45:18, and by Christ and the apostles in the New Testament (Mark 12:29; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4,6) [1].
The biblical basis for understanding God is not limited to explicit statements about His nature. The Scriptures present a cohesive narrative that reveals God's character through His actions and interactions with humanity. For instance, the creation account in Genesis 1-2 demonstrates God's power and sovereignty, while the covenant with Abraham and the Israelites illustrates His faithfulness and love [4].
The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, or Scripture alone, as the foundation for Christian theology. This principle is grounded in the idea that the Bible is the primary source for understanding God and His will for humanity. As Calvin notes, Scripture "alone reveals those things which are of primary necessity to be known" about God's relationship with humanity [4].
The interpretation of Scripture is not without its challenges. The Ethiopian eunuch's question to Philip, "How can I understand unless someone guides me?" (Acts 8:31), has been cited in debates about the role of tradition and interpretation in understanding Scripture. However, as Adam Clarke notes, this passage does not necessarily imply that Scripture requires an authorized interpreter. Rather, it highlights the need for guidance in understanding the Gospel dispensation, which was not yet fully proclaimed to the eunuch [3].
The biblical text itself provides guidance on how to understand God. The apostle Paul writes that the righteousness of God is "manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets" (Romans 3:21). This passage underscores the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in revealing God's character and plan for salvation [5].
Understanding God in Scripture involves recognizing the centrality of Christ, who is described as the embodiment of God's wisdom (Colossians 2:3) [6]. The biblical writers emphasize that knowledge of God is not merely intellectual but involves a personal, saving relationship (Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Galatians 4:9) [7].
The challenge of understanding God is not limited to intellectual comprehension. The apostle Paul writes about "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5), highlighting the need to submit one's reasoning to the revelation of God in Scripture [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 8:31: How can I, except some man should guide me? - This is no proof that "the Scriptures cannot be understood without an authorized interpreter," as some of the papistical writers assert. How could the eunuch know any thing of the Gospel dispensation, to which this scripture referred? That dispensation had not yet been proclaimed to him; he knew nothing about Jesus. But where that dispensation has been published, where the four Gospels and the apostolic epistles are at hand, every thing relative to the salvation of the soul may be clearly apprehended by any simple, upright”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.6: alone reveals those things which are of primary necessity to be known; namely, in what manner God, after the destructive fall of man, adopted to himself a Church; what constituted the true worship of himself, and in what offices of piety the holy fathers exercised themselves; in which way pure religion, having for a time declined through the indolence of men, was restored as it were, to its integrity; we also learn, when God deposited with a special people his gratuitous covenant of eternal salvation; in what manner a small progeny”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:21: GOD'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ALIKE ADAPTED TO OUR NECESSITIES AND WORTHY OF HIMSELF. (Rom 3:21-26) But now the righteousness of God--(See on Rom 1:17). without the law--that is, a righteousness to which our obedience to the law contributes nothing whatever (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16). is manifested, being witnessed--attested. by the law and the prophets--the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus this justifying righteousness, though new, as only now fully disclosed, is an old righteousness, predicted and foreshadowed in the Ol”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 2:3: 2:3 Paul builds on 1:15-20: Christ alone is sufficient for our spiritual understanding.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:21: 1:21 To know God in Scripture usually means to have an intimate, saving relationship with him (see 2 Cor 5:16; Gal 4:9; Phil 3:8, 10). Here, however, they knew God means that people knew about God. All people have some understanding of God through creation, yet they do not do what is right based on that knowledge. Rather than learn more about God, they worship gods of their own making.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations,.... Or "reasonings"; the carnal reasonings of the minds of natural men against God, his providences and purposes, against Christ, and the methods of salvation, and every truth of the Gospel; which are all disproved, silenced, and confounded, by the preaching of the word, which though reckoned the foolishness and weakness of God, appears to be wiser and stronger than men; and whereby the wisdom of the wise is destroyed, and the understanding of the prudent brought to nothing: and every high thing that exalteth itself against the know”