Sufficiency of Scripture in Decision Making Theology
Sufficiency of Scripture in Decision Making Theology
The concept of the sufficiency of Scripture is rooted in the biblical affirmation that Scripture is "God-breathed" and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) [3]. This doctrine asserts that the Bible contains all that is necessary for faith and practice, making it the ultimate authority in Christian decision-making.
The sufficiency of Scripture is closely tied to its inspiration. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, inspiration refers to the supernatural divine influence on the writers of the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible [1]. This understanding is supported by 2 Timothy 3:16, which states that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" [3]. The Protestant academic interpretation of 2 Timothy 3:16 emphasizes that Scripture's inspiration by God does not negate the active involvement of human authors, but rather affirms that God is fully responsible for the content of Scripture [6].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, interprets the sufficiency of Scripture to mean that it contains a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing is to be added and from which nothing is to be taken away [5]. This understanding is reflected in one commentary tradition on 2 Corinthians 3:5, which notes that ministers are not sufficient of themselves to think or do anything good, but their sufficiency comes from God [4].
In decision-making theology, the sufficiency of Scripture implies that Christians should rely solely on the Bible for guidance. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various biblical exhortations to decision-making, including seeking God with the heart, keeping God's commandments, and following God fully [2]. one commentary tradition on 2 Corinthians 3:5 highlights the importance of recognizing that one's sufficiency comes from God, rather than from oneself [4].
Different Christian traditions have varying understandings of the sufficiency of Scripture. While the Baptist/Reformed tradition emphasizes the completeness of Scripture, other traditions may allow for additional sources of authority, such as tradition or reason. For instance, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, although not directly represented in the sources, is known to emphasize the role of reason and experience alongside Scripture.
The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture has been shaped by historical controversies, particularly during the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation emphasis on sola scriptura (Scripture alone) was a response to the Catholic Church's reliance on tradition and ecclesiastical authority. The Protestant academic interpretation of 1 Timothy 6:6 highlights the importance of contentment and dependence on Christ, underscoring the sufficiency of Scripture in Christian living [7].
The implications of the sufficiency of Scripture for decision-making are significant. If Scripture is sufficient, then Christians should prioritize biblical teaching and guidance in their decision-making processes. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, the Bible provides necessary guidance for making decisions that align with God's will [2].
The historical development of the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is closely tied to the development of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation's emphasis on sola scriptura marked a significant shift away from the Catholic Church's reliance on tradition and ecclesiastical authority.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Inspiration — That extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2 Tim. 3:16. This is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (Webster) — All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:5: The Greek is, "Not that we are (even yet after so long experience as ministers) sufficient to think anything OF ourselves as (coming) FROM ourselves; but our sufficiency is (derived) FROM God." "From" more definitely refers to the source out of which a thing comes; "of" is more general. to think--Greek, to "reason out" or "devise"; to attain to sound preaching by our reasonings [THEODORET]. The "we" refers here to ministers (Pe2 1:21). anything--even the least. We cannot expect too little from man, or too much from God.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13:8: For we know in part,.... Not that the Scriptures, the rule and measure of knowledge, and from whence spiritual knowledge is derived, are imperfect; so that there is need of unwritten traditions, and of enthusiastic revelations and inspirations, to inform of things otherwise unknown; for though they were at sundry times, and in divers manners delivered, yet now they contain a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away; or that only a part of the saints know the things of God; for though there is ”
- 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 (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 6:6: 6:6 with contentment: This is not just a philosophical outlook but real dependence on the sufficiency of Christ. See 4:8; 2 Cor 9:8; 12:7-10; Phil 4:10-13; Heb 13:5.”