Authority of Scripture in Christian Tradition and Theology
The authority of Scripture in Christian tradition and theology refers to the belief that the Bible is the divinely inspired and authoritative rule for faith and practice [3, 4, 6]. This authority stems from its origin as the "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Word of truth" [1]. The term "Scripture" itself, particularly in the New Testament, denotes a specific collection of sacred books regarded as given by God's inspiration [2].
The biblical basis for the authority of Scripture is found in passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16, which states that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" [5]. This verse highlights both the divine origin ("God-breathed" or "inspired by God") and the practical utility of Scripture [1, 5]. While the human authors were actively involved in its writing, God is understood to be fully responsible for the text [5]. Other passages, like 2 Peter 1:20-21, further emphasize that prophecy did not originate from human will but from men speaking from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit [1, 5].
Jesus himself affirmed the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures, frequently appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. For instance, in Matthew 4:4, when tempted by the devil, Jesus responded, "It is written," quoting from Deuteronomy [1, 7]. This demonstrates his reliance on and submission to the written word as authoritative [1]. The New Testament authors also recognized the Old Testament as inspired and authoritative, and their own writings came to be regarded as such by the early church [2, 5, 10].
The concept of "canon" is closely linked to the authority of Scripture. The word "canon" originally referred to a straight rod or a rule, and it came to signify that the Scriptures contain the authoritative rule of faith and practice, serving as the standard for doctrine and duty [3, 4]. A book is considered to have canonical authority if it has the right to be included among other books containing divine revelation [4]. This right is not granted by ecclesiastical authority but arises from the inherent nature of the text as God's revealed will [4]. The collection of sacred writings was enlarged over time as God raised up individuals to record his revelation, resulting in a "completed Scripture" comprising both the Old and New Testaments [2].
The authority of Scripture implies its power and efficacy. The "word of a king" carries power and dominion, and similarly, God's written word is described as "quick and powerful" [9]. The Gospel, as the word of God, is considered "the power of God to salvation" [9]. The Scriptures are also referred to as "the word of truth," containing nothing but truth, and are seen as coming from the God who cannot lie [8]. This truthfulness and power are foundational to their authoritative role in Christian life and doctrine.
Christian traditions generally agree on the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, though interpretations of its application may vary. For instance, the public reading of Scripture was a practice transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, indicating its central role in communal worship and instruction from the earliest times [10]. The understanding is that Scripture provides wisdom for living out salvation and is effective for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness [5].
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 ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Canon — This word is derived from a Hebrew and Greek word denoting a reed or cane. Hence it means something straight, or something to keep straight; and hence also a rule, or something ruled or measured. It came to be applied to the Scriptures, to denote that they contained the authoritative rule of faith and practice, the standard of doctrine and duty. A book is said to be of canonical authority when it has a right to take a place with the other books which contain a revelation of the Divine will. Such a right does not arise from any ecclesiastical authority, but fr”
- 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 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”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, it is written,.... The passage referred to, and cited, is in Deu 8:3 the manner of citing it is what was common and usual with the Jews; and is often to be met with in the Talmudic writings; who, when they produce any passage of scripture, say "as it is written". The meaning of this scripture is; not that as the body lives by bread, so the soul lives by the word of God, and doctrines of the Gospel; though this is a certain truth: or that man lives by obedience to the commands of God, as was promised to the Israelites in the wilderness, and in”
- 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”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 8:4: Where the word of a king is, there is power,.... Or "dominion" (z). Authority goes along with his word of command; and there is an inferior magistracy, a subordinate power under him, ready to execute his will upon the rebellious and disobedient. Jarchi interprets it, the word of the holy blessed God; and the Targum, the word of that King who rules over all the world; where his word of doctrine comes, not in word only, it is with power: his written word is quick and powerful; the word of his Gospel preached is the power of God to salvation; or is accompanied with ”
- 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”