Scripture as Primary Source of Truth and Authority
Scripture is widely understood as a primary source of truth and authority, described as "God-breathed" (or "inspired by God") and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness [3, 6, 11]. This concept is foundational to many Christian traditions, which view the Bible as God's revealed will, communicated through human authors under divine guidance [4, 5].
The Bible itself asserts its divine origin and authority. Paul states that "Every Scripture is God-breathed" [3, 6]. The New Testament consistently refers to the Old Testament as "Scripture," a definite collection of sacred books given by inspiration of God [4]. Jesus sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. He also referred to the "word of God" as truth [2]. The Holy Spirit is identified as the Spirit of truth, guiding believers into all truth [2].
Different traditions emphasize various aspects of Scripture's authority. John Calvin, a prominent figure in Reformed theology, argued that the authority of Scripture derives not from human judgment or the Church, but from the Spirit of God [8]. He contended that subjecting the truth of God to human will is insulting to the Holy Spirit and establishes tyranny within the Church [8]. Similarly, Charles Hodge, an Old Princeton theologian, maintained that the Scriptures contain all the facts of theology, consistent with intuitive truths and the inward teachings of the Spirit [10]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, referred to the Scriptures as "the word of truth," coming from the God of truth and containing nothing but truth [9].
The Catholic Church affirms that God speaks to humanity in human words through Sacred Scripture, and that "through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely" [13]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as articulated by John of Damascus, also recognizes both the Old and New Testaments as proclaiming the one God, with Christ fulfilling the law and all Scripture testifying to Him [12].
The concept of Scripture as the "word of God" implies that whatever the inspired writers declare to be true and binding, God declares to be true and binding [5]. This word is considered infallible because it was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, making it free from error in fact, doctrine, or precept [5]. Therefore, Scripture serves as the true source of all authority in matters of doctrine and practice [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Truth — God is a God of -- De 32:4; Ps 31:15. Christ is -- Joh 14:6; 7:18. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Christ spoke -- Joh 8:45. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Joh 14:17. The Holy Spirit guides into all -- Joh 16:13. The word of God is -- Da 10:21; Joh 17:17. God regards, with favour -- Jer 5:3. The judgments of God are according to -- Ps 96:13; Ro 2:2. Saints should Worship God in. -- Joh 4:24; Ps 145:18. Serve God in. -- Jos 24:14; 1Sa 12:24. Walk before God in. -- 1Ki 2:4; 2Ki 20:3. Keep religious feasts with. -- 1Co 5:8. Esteem, as inestimable. -- Pr 23:”
- 2 Timothy “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, -- 2 Timothy 3:16”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (BSB) — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 23: 68 CHAPTER 7. THE TESTIMONY OF THE SPIRIT NECESSARY TO GIVE FULL AUTHORITY TO SCRIPTURE. THE IMPIETY OF PRETENDING THAT THE CREDIBILITY OF SCRIPTURE DEPENDS ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCH. Section. 1. The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting to the Holy Spirit. III. It establishes a tyranny in the Church. IV. It forms a mass of errors. V. ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:41: And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,.... The Scriptures, which are by divine inspiration, come from the God of truth, contain nothing but truth in them, and are called "the Scriptures of truth", Dan 10:21. Or the Gospel, which is often so called, Eph 1:13; This comes from God, who cannot lie, and is a declaration of his mind and will concerning the salvation of men; in which Christ, who is the truth, is concerned, being the author, preacher, and substance of it; into which the Spirit of truth leads men, and makes it useful and effectual; which has”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 9: § 6. The Scriptures contain all the Facts of Theology . This is perfectly consistent, on the one hand, with the admission of intuitive truths, both intellectual and moral, due to our constitution as rational and moral beings; and, on the other hand, with the controlling power over our beliefs exercised by the inward teachings of the Spirit, or, in other words, by our religious experience. And that for two reasons: First, All truth must be consistent. God cannot contradict himself. He cannot force us by the constitution of the nature which ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 93: 89b Chapter XVII .— Concerning Scripture 2514 2514 This chapter is wanting in Cod. R . 3547. . It is one and the same God Whom both the Old and the New Testament proclaim, Who is praised and glorified in the Trinity: I am come , saith the Lord, not to destroy the law but to fulfil it 2515 2515 St. Matt. v. 17 . . For He Himself worked out our salvation for which all Scripture and all mystery exists. And again, Search the Scriptures for they are they that testify of Me 2516 2516 St. John v. 39 . . And the Apostle says, God”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 3 (part 1): Article 3 SACRED SCRIPTURE I. Christ - The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture 101 In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men."63 102 Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely:64 You recall ”