Seeking Guidance Beyond Biblical Authority in Christianity
While Christianity generally upholds the Bible as its primary authority, some traditions acknowledge additional sources of guidance. The apostle Paul, for instance, appealed to the Corinthians' own judgment, suggesting that believers are responsible for "judging" for themselves the force of an argument, rather than blindly accepting it [3]. This implies a role for individual discernment alongside scriptural teaching.
The New Testament itself records instances where the apostles exercised authority and provided guidance. Paul's authority as an apostle was recognized by other apostles [6], and he expected Timothy to continue public reading of Scripture in the congregation until his arrival [5]. This practice of reading Scripture in the church was transferred from the Jewish synagogue [5]. However, Paul also warned against relying solely on outward appearances or the oratory skills of teachers, emphasizing that true authority comes from Christ [7].
The early church also faced challenges from those who went "beyond" apostolic teaching. The Second Epistle of John warns against those who "wander away from this teaching" or "go beyond and not remaining in the teaching," interpreting this as contradicting the apostolic teachings about Jesus Christ [4]. This suggests a boundary for acceptable belief, defined by the original apostolic message.
Some biblical passages highlight the limitations of human wisdom. Paul states that faith should be based "not on man's wisdom but on the power of God" [2]. Similarly, the prophet Isaiah, quoted by John Gill, asks, "who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?" [8]. This underscores the idea that divine truth often surpasses human understanding and cannot be fully grasped through reason alone [8]. Nevertheless, believers are encouraged to "examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith," implying a personal responsibility to assess one's spiritual state [9]. Even the book of Ecclesiastes questions the ultimate value of human wisdom, asking "what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?" [1].
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 2:12 (BSB) — Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:5 (BBE) — So that your faith might be based not on man's wisdom but on the power of God.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:9: 1:9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching (literally everyone going beyond and not remaining in the teaching): To go beyond is to contradict the apostolic teachings about Jesus Christ and believe things about Jesus that were not taught by the apostles. This is a warning to the church not to listen to the false teachers.”
- 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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 2 (introduction): HIS CO-ORDINATE AUTHORITY AS APOSTLE OF THE CIRCUMCISION RECOGNIZED BY THE APOSTLES. PROVED BY HIS REBUKING PETER FOR TEMPORIZING AT ANTIOCH: HIS REASONING AS TO THE INCONSISTENCY OF JUDAIZING WITH JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. (Gal. 2:1-21) Translate, "After fourteen years"; namely, from Paul's conversion inclusive [ALFORD]. In the fourteenth year from his conversion [BIRKS]. The same visit to Jerusalem as in Act 15:1-4 (A.D. 50), when the council of the apostles and Church decided that Gentile Christians need not be circumcised. His omittin”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 10:7: Do ye regard mere outward appearance (mere external recommendations, personal appearance, voice, manner, oratory of teachers present face to face, such as they admired in the false teachers to the disparagement of Paul, Co2 10:10; see on Co2 5:12)? Even in outward bearing when I shall be present with you (in contrast to "by letters," Co2 10:9) I will show that I am more really armed with the authority of Christ, than those who arrogate to themselves the title of being peculiarly "Christ's" (Co1 1:12). A Jewish emissary seems to have led this par”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 2:15: For who hath known the mind of the Lord,.... The deep counsels of his heart, the scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ, as drawn in his eternal mind, the sense of the Spirit of God in the writings of the Old Testament, the things of the Spirit of God, or the doctrines of grace more clearly revealed under the Gospel dispensation; not any natural man, by the light of truth and strength of reason, has known any of these things. The apostle either cites or alludes to Isa 40:13 that he may instruct him? not the Lord, who needs no instruction from any, nor can any tea”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,.... These words are to be considered in connection with Co2 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recognise their own souls; where if things were right, they would find a proof of Christ's speaking in him, to them: he advises them to examine the state of their own souls, and see whether they were in the faith; either in the doctrine of faith, having a spiritual and experimental”