Decline of Scripture in Modern Western Values and Culture
The authority of Scripture has been a foundational tenet for many Christian traditions, particularly within Reformed theology, which emphasizes its unique role as the revealed will of God [8]. Charles Hodge, a prominent Old Princeton theologian, argued that making tradition an equal part of the rule of faith inevitably subverts the authority of the Scriptures, as tradition then becomes the "infallible interpreter" that determines the meaning of Scripture [1]. Protestants, in this view, do not receive the New Testament's divinity based on the authority of the Church's tradition, but rather on its own inherent divine testimony [4].
The decline of Scripture's influence in modern Western values and culture can be understood in contrast to its historical position as the primary source for understanding humanity's condition and God's redemptive plan. For instance, the Scriptures teach that humanity is fallen, guilty, and defiled by sin, utterly unable to free itself without divine grace and the power of the Holy Spirit [5]. This "hereditary depravity" is not merely the ascendancy of lower instincts but a deeper, more radical spiritual death [3]. This perspective on human nature, which recognizes universal depravity while acknowledging varying degrees of wickedness and moral virtues among individuals, stands in contrast to modern speculations that might offer alternative explanations for human failings [6, 2].
John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, observed that even where Christian institutions remain, they can be profoundly corrupted by "sacrilegious impiety," "cruel domination," and "evil and deadly doctrines," leading to a state where "Christ lies half-buried, the gospel is suppressed" [7]. This suggests that the outward form of Christian culture can persist even as the core teachings of Scripture lose their vitality and authority. The Westminster Confession of Faith further articulates that while natural revelation offers some knowledge of God, it is insufficient for salvation, necessitating God's special revelation in Scripture for a full understanding of His will [8]. The liberty purchased by Christ, according to the Westminster Confession, includes freedom from the guilt of sin, God's wrath, and the curse of the moral law, as well as deliverance from the dominion of sin and access to God [9]. When the authority of Scripture declines, these foundational understandings of sin, salvation, and human liberty are often reinterpreted or lost.
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 37: hundreds of folios in which these traditions are recorded? Surely a guide to the interpretation of the latter must be far more needed than one for the Scriptures. Tradition destroys the Authority of the Scriptures. 6. Making tradition a part of the rule of faith subverts the authority of the Scriptures. This follows as a natural and unavoidable consequence. If there be two standards of doctrine of equal authority, the one the explanatory, and infallible interpreter of the other, it is of necessity the interpretation which determines the f”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 104: through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, belongs to the Scriptural doctrine, without the blurring and enfeebling effects of modern speculation. While, therefore, we should lose everything in renouncing the doctrine of expiation through the sacrificial death of Christ, we should gain nothing, by adopting these modern theories. “If a man,” says Delitzsch, “keeps in view our desert of punishment, and allows the three saving doctrines of Scripture to stand in their integrity, namely, (1.) That God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 50: the child and the man to obey the lower instincts of his nature, when he should be guided by his higher faculties. But, in the first place, this is altogether an inadequate conception of our hereditary depravity. It does not consist exclusively or principally in the ascendency of the flesh (in the limited sense of that word) over the Spirit. It is a far deeper and more radical evil. It is spiritual death, according to the express declarations of the Scriptures. And, in the second place, it cannot be the normal condition of man that his na”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 37: authority of Scripture, Protestants believe to be anti-scriptural; and therefore they need no other evidence to prove that tradition is not to be trusted either in matters of faith or practice. The Scriptures not received on the Authority of Tradition. 8. Romanists argue that Protestants concede the authority of tradition, because it is on that authority they receive the New Testament as the word of God. This is not correct. We do not believe the New Testament to be divine on the ground of the testimony of the Church. We receive the books”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 103: Scriptures teach that man is a fallen being, that he is guilty and defiled by sin, that he is utterly unable to free himself from the burden and power of sin, that he is dependent on the grace of God and the power of the Spirit, if these truths are inwrought into the experience of all true believers. In like manner, if all Christians trust in Christ for their salvation; if they look to Him as their substitute, obeying and suffering in their stead, bearing their sins, sustaining the curse of the law in their place; if they regard Him as t”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 50: certain facts of experience. Second Argument from the Entire Sinfulness of Men. This universal depravity of men is no slight evil. The whole human race, by their apostasy from God, are totally depraved. By total depravity, is not meant that all men are equally wicked; nor that any man is as thoroughly corrupt as it is possible for a man to be; nor that men are destitute of all moral virtues. The Scriptures recognize the fact, which experience abundantly confirms, that men, to a greater or less degree, are honest in dealings, kind in their”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 84: l’Eglise Occidentale;”—at least in the Western Church. By placing his seat in the temple of God, it is intimated that his kingdom would not be such as to destroy the name either of Christ or of his Church. Hence, then, it is obvious that we do not at all deny that churches remain under his tyranny; churches, however, which by sacrilegious impiety he has profaned, by cruel domination has oppressed, by evil and deadly doctrines like poisoned potions has corrupted and almost slain; churches where Christ lies half-buried, the gospel is”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 1 (part 1): CHAPTER 1 Of the Holy Scripture 1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more ”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 20 (part 1): CHAPTER 20 Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience 1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of ”