Balancing Extrabiblical Examples with Scripture as Authority
Balancing Extrabiblical Examples with Scripture as Authority
The authority of Scripture is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, with various traditions affirming its primacy in matters of faith and practice. According to the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, Scripture is considered the inspired word of God, with passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 underscoring its divine origin [1]. The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, also emphasizes the authority of Scripture, highlighting its role in authenticating the divine commission of religious teachers through signs, wonders, and miracles [4].
In balancing extrabiblical examples with Scripture as authority, Christian traditions have historically looked to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth. The use of extrabiblical examples, such as the writings of early Church Fathers or historical events, is often seen as supplementary to Scripture rather than authoritative in its own right. For instance, when discussing the interpretation of Scripture, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note the importance of comparing spiritual things with spiritual, suggesting that Scripture is its own best interpreter [7].
The Presbyterian and Baptist/Reformed traditions both affirm the sufficiency of Scripture for doctrine and practice. John Gill, commenting on 2 Peter 1:19, emphasizes the reliability of the word of prophecy, understood as the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, over other sources [6]. Similarly, the concept of canon, as described in Easton's Bible Dictionary, underscores the idea that Scripture contains the authoritative rule of faith and practice, with canonical authority deriving not from ecclesiastical fiat but from its divine origin [2].
While extrabiblical sources can provide historical context and illustrative examples, they are not considered authoritative in the same way as Scripture. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on Galatians 3:8, attributes foresight and authority to Scripture, personifying it as having a divine author who foresees events and speaks of them beforehand [5]. This perspective underscores the primacy of Scripture in Christian doctrine and practice.
The interplay between Scripture and extrabiblical examples is thus one of primary and secondary authority, with Scripture holding the preeminent position. As Christian traditions navigate the complexities of doctrine and practice, they continue to affirm the centrality of Scripture, using other sources to illuminate and support, rather than supplant, its authority.
The historical development of this doctrine is evident in the early Christian practice of citing Scripture to authenticate teachings, as seen in the New Testament itself [3]. This practice reflects an understanding of Scripture as a unified, authoritative body of texts that provide the foundation for Christian faith and practice.
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: 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 2:4: them--rather, "God also [as well as Christ, Heb 2:3] bearing witness to it," &c., joining in attestation of it." signs and wonders--performed by Christ and His apostles. "Signs" and miracles, or other facts regarded as proofs of a divine mission; "wonders" are miracles viewed as prodigies, causing astonishment (Act 2:22, Act 2:33); "powers" are miracles viewed as evidences of superhuman power. divers miracles--Greek, "varied (miraculous) powers" (Co2 12:12) granted to the apostles after the ascension. gifts, &c.--Greek, "distributions." The gift ”
- 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 ”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”