Scripture's Influence on Christian History and Decision Making
The term "Scripture" in the New Testament consistently refers to the collection of sacred books, primarily the Old Testament, which were considered divinely inspired [2]. These writings are also known as the "Holy Scriptures" [1, 4]. The word "canon" itself, from classical Greek, means a "straight rod" or "rule," and its application to the Scriptures signifies their role as the authoritative rule for the faith and practice of the Christian Church [3].
The Bible itself asserts its divine origin, stating that "all Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16 BSB) [6]. This inspiration is attributed to the Holy Spirit, who moved the human authors to commit God's revealed will to writing [1, 2]. While human authors were actively involved, the ultimate source of Scripture is God's own speech [6]. This divine inspiration ensures the infallibility of the record [2]. The New Testament writers understood the Old Testament as prophetic, with its authors speaking and writing under the influence of the Spirit of God [9].
The influence of Scripture on Christian history and decision-making stems from its perceived authority and utility. Paul emphasizes that the Holy Scriptures are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15 BSB) [4]. This wisdom extends to equipping believers for every good work, as Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17 BSB). The effectiveness of Scripture is not limited to the Old Testament, but applies to the New Testament as well [6].
Throughout Christian history, Scripture has served as the foundational text for doctrine and practice. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. The practice of public reading of Scripture, transferred from the Jewish synagogue, became a central element of Christian worship [7]. Early Christians recognized the inspiration of New Testament Gospels and Epistles, reading them alongside the Old Testament in church [7].
The enduring relevance of Scripture is highlighted by the understanding that "all that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God’s plan" (Romans 15:4) [10]. The testimonies found in Scripture are considered a heritage, passed down through generations of the church, and are more valuable than worldly inheritances [11].
Scripture also plays a crucial role in understanding God's eternal purposes. For instance, the doctrine of predestination, which refers to God's plan of salvation, is understood through the revealed word of God, even though it involves "secret things" of God [5]. The Bible is seen as foreseeing events and speaking of them beforehand, with God as the ultimate author of this foresight [8]. This perspective underscores the belief that Scripture provides guidance and insight into God's overarching plan for humanity and history.
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”
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Canon Of Scripture, The — may be generally described as the "collection of books which form the original and authoritative written rule of the faith and practice of the Christian Church," i.e. the Old and New Testaments. The word canon, in classical Greek, is properly a straight rod, "a rule" in the widest sense, and especially in the phrases "the rule of the Church," "the rule of faith," "the rule of truth," The first direct application of the term canon to the Scriptures seems to be in the verses of Amphilochius (cir. 380 A.D.), where the word indicates the rule by ”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (BSB) — From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- 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”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 3:8: And the Scripture foreseeing,.... This seems to agree with the Jewish forms or citing passages of Scripture, , "what does the Scripture foresee?" and , (n) "what does the law foresee?" The Scripture here, by a "prosopopeia", is represented as foreseeing an event that would come to pass, and accordingly spoke of it before hand, and designs God the author of the Scripture; and so the Syriac version renders it, "for seeing" , "that God" foreknew, &c. and means either the Holy Spirit, who searches the deep things of God, is privy to all his counsels and decrees, and to ”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 15:4: 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us: All that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God’s plan.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:107: Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever,.... The Scriptures, which testify of Christ and of his grace, and of the mind and will of God, are a portion of themselves; and a goodly heritage they are, better than thousands of gold and silver, preferable to all worldly inheritances; as they have been to many, who have forsaken all for Christ and his Gospel. These, like an inheritance, have been transmitted from father to son, from one age of the church to another, in successive generations; nor shall they depart from her, nor from her seed and seed's seed, ”