Authority of Extra Biblical Experience in Christian Theology
The authority of extra-biblical experience in Christian thought refers to the role and weight given to personal spiritual encounters, feelings, and insights that are not directly found in the biblical text itself. While the Bible is consistently held as the primary authority, many traditions acknowledge that believers can have an "inward testimony" or "experimental knowledge" of God [1, 4].
This concept is often understood as an experiential knowledge of Christ, which goes beyond merely intellectual assent to doctrine [4]. For instance, the apostle Paul's desire "that I may know him" is interpreted as a longing for experimental knowledge of Christ, encompassing the power of his resurrection and fellowship in his sufferings [4]. This knowing is not just about understanding facts about Christ but experiencing the Redeemer himself [4]. Similarly, the Christian life is described as being based on the experience and personal knowledge of God's grace and love in Jesus Christ [3]. This experience is seen as essential for a believer's life to be made complete, filled with the "fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within" [3].
Matthew Henry, in his commentary on 1 John 5:10, describes this "witness in himself" as a privilege of the real Christian. This internal testimony means that a believer not only has external evidence but also an inner conviction in their heart concerning Jesus Christ [1]. This conviction stems from what Christ and his truth have done for the believer's soul, including a deep awareness of sin and the need for a Savior, and a personal discovery of Christ's efficacy [1].
The "exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe" (Ephesians 1:19) is another passage interpreted as referring to an experiential dimension of faith [2, 5]. This divine power is understood to be at work in believers, both in the initial implantation of faith and in its ongoing sustenance and completion [2]. It is the same "superhuman power" that makes believers faithful and continues to work in them [5]. This power is distinct from God's power in creation or in the resurrection, focusing specifically on its operation within those who believe [2].
While acknowledging the importance of personal experience, it is generally understood that such experiences must align with biblical teaching. The Bible remains the foundational authority, and personal experiences are often seen as confirming or deepening one's understanding of biblical truths, rather than superseding them. For example, the ascension of Jesus, while a historical event, is also understood to signify his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation, which believers experience through his presence within them [6, 3].
The emphasis on personal experience can be seen across various Christian traditions. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, highlights the "exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe" as the work of God in the believer's life [2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary, representing a Presbyterian perspective, stresses the "experimental" knowledge of Christ [4]. Tyndale House, a Protestant academic source, emphasizes that the Christian life is "based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love" [3]. These interpretations suggest a common thread where personal, internal experience is considered a vital aspect of Christian faith, provided it is rooted in and consistent with the teachings of Scripture.
Sources
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 5:10: In those words we may observe, I. The privilege and stability of the real Christian: He that believeth on the Son of God, hath been prevailed with unfeignedly to cleave to him for salvation, hath the witness in himself, Jo1 5:10. He hath not only the outward evidence that others have, but he hath in his own heart a testimony for Jesus Christ. He can allege what Christ and the truth of Christ have done for his soul and what he has seen and found in him. As, 1. He has deeply seen his sin, and guilt, and misery, and his abundant need of such a Saviour. 2. He has seen”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:19: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,.... The objects of the divine power here intended, are believers in Christ; which distinguishes this power from that which was put forth in creation, and from that which will be displayed in the resurrection of the dead, and from the power of divine wrath, which will appear in the damnation of sinners; and shows, that this power is that which is exerted in the implantation of faith, and in the continuance of it, and in the finishing of that work; and that this is a great power, an exceeding gr”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:19: exceeding--"surpassing." power to us-ward who believe--The whole of the working of His grace, which He is carrying on, and will carry on, in us who believe. By the term "saints" (Eph 1:18), believers are regarded as absolutely perfected, and so as being God's inheritance; in this verse, as in the course of fighting the good fight of faith. according to--in accordance wit,h, what might be expected from. working--Greek, "the energizing"; translate, "the effectual working" (Eph 3:7). The same superhuman power was needed and exerted to make us bel”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:51: 24:51 Cp. 2 Kgs 2:11. Jesus’ ascension was his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation (see Acts 2:32-36; 5:31; Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:13).”