Understanding the Role of Scripture in Church Decision Making
Understanding the Role of Scripture in Church Decision Making
The role of Scripture in church decision-making is rooted in its authority as the inspired Word of God. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed" [5, 9], emphasizing its divine origin and inspiration. This understanding is echoed across various Christian traditions, which view Scripture as the primary source of guidance for faith and practice [1, 3].
The Bible is considered the "rule of faith" and the authoritative guide for Christian living [2]. In church decision-making, Scripture serves as the foundation for discernment and guidance. The Presbyterian tradition, for example, emphasizes the importance of Scripture in decision-making, as seen in the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:27, which highlights the church as "the body of Christ" [6].
Different Christian traditions interpret the role of Scripture in decision-making in similar ways, with a shared understanding of its authority. The Protestant academic tradition, represented by Tyndale House, notes that Scripture is essential for understanding the unity of the church, as seen in Ephesians 2:21, where believers are described as a "holy temple for the Lord" [8]. Similarly, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the importance of Scripture in understanding the nature of the church, citing Galatians 3:8 [10].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition also affirms the authority of Scripture in church decision-making. Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:14 highlights the diversity of members within the church, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation [7].
The use of Scripture in church decision-making is not limited to specific denominational traditions. The Bible provides a common language and framework for Christian communities to navigate complex issues. As seen in 2 Timothy 3:15, Scripture is able to "make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" [5]. This wisdom is not limited to individual salvation but extends to the communal life of the church.
In practice, churches apply Scripture to decision-making by seeking to understand its teachings on various aspects of Christian life. This involves interpreting biblical passages in their context and applying them to contemporary situations. The Protestant academic tradition emphasizes the importance of understanding Scripture's original context and its ongoing relevance for the church [9].
The role of Scripture in church decision-making is thus multifaceted. It serves as the foundation for Christian faith and practice, guides the church in its communal life, and provides a shared language and framework for navigating complex issues. As the church seeks to make decisions that are faithful to its calling, Scripture remains the primary source of guidance and authority [1, 3, 4].
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”
- 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: 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
- 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.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- 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”
- 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 ”