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Biblical Teaching as Primary Source for Understanding God's Character

Scripture identifies itself as the primary written revelation of God's character, claiming divine origin and authority for this purpose. Paul writes that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" [9], establishing the text's self-understanding as divinely breathed instruction. The biblical writers consistently present their words not as human speculation about the divine but as God's own disclosure: "We are of God. He who knows God listens to us" [6]. This claim to inspired authority runs throughout both testaments, with the New Testament affirming that Scripture came as "the Holy Spirit moved" its human authors [4].

The Biblical Basis for Knowing God Through Scripture

The necessity of Scripture for knowing God appears explicitly in Reformed theology. Calvin structures his Institutes around "the Knowledge of God the Creator" and "the need of Scripture as a Guide and Teacher in coming to God" [11]. This reflects the biblical pattern where God's self-revelation moves from general disclosure in creation to specific verbal instruction. While Paul acknowledges that "the invisible things of God are clearly seen, being understood" through creation [18], the biblical narrative consistently shows God speaking—to patriarchs, through prophets, and finally in Christ—to make his character known with precision that nature alone cannot provide.

The Psalms model this dependence on divine instruction: "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth" includes learning "the corruption of human nature," "the need of continual strength and grace from Christ," and "the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ" [15]. These are not truths derived from observation but from God's verbal teaching. Proverbs grounds all knowledge in this relationship: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" [8], with fear itself described as "hatred of evil" and "wisdom" that comes through "searching the Scriptures" [1, 19].

Christ as the Fullness of God's Self-Disclosure

The New Testament presents Christ as the ultimate revelation of God's character, yet this revelation comes to us through Scripture's testimony. Colossians declares that "God in all his fullness" has chosen "to reveal himself fully in Jesus Christ," such that "seeing Jesus and understanding him therefore means seeing and understanding God" [14]. Christ is "the image of God," "the First-born," creator and sustainer [2, 17]. Yet our access to this Christ depends on the apostolic witness: the Spirit "searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" and reveals them through inspired teaching [10].

This creates a reciprocal relationship between Christ and Scripture. Jesus "sanctioned" Scripture "by appealing to them" and "taught out of" them [4]. The Gospels record his interpretive work: "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" [4]. The written word points to the living Word, while the living Word validates and interprets the written word.

Tradition and Reason as Secondary Sources

Christian traditions differ on how Scripture relates to other sources of theological knowledge. The Catholic tradition affirms that "the one true God, our Creator and Lord, can be known with certainty from his works, by the natural light of human reason," citing Vatican I [16]. Aquinas argues that "we know God through creatures" and that "God is not the first object of our knowledge" in this life [18]. This allows for natural theology as a legitimate, though limited, path to knowledge of God.

Protestant traditions typically subordinate all other sources to Scripture's authority. Charles Hodge articulates the Reformed position that Scripture is "the primary, immediate, and principal source of divine knowledge," not "to be subjected to the examination either of the outward testimony of the Scriptures, or of the natural reason of man" [12]. Even traditions that affirm inner light or continuing revelation, like the Quakers, maintain that "nothing not contained in the Scriptures can be an article of faith" and that "everything contrary to its teaching is to be rejected" [12].

The Goal and Character of Biblical Instruction

Scripture presents its own teaching as oriented toward transformation, not merely information. The stated goal is "the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith" [7]. God's character as revealed in Scripture becomes "the standard" for human holiness: "Be holy, for I am holy" [3]. The text functions as both mirror and map—showing us God's nature and our need, while charting the path of "repentance from dead works" and "faith toward God" [5].

Mary's Magnificat illustrates how Scripture shapes perception of God's character through narrative and song. Her praise echoes Hannah's prayer, emphasizing that "God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes," a theme that "is common throughout Luke's Gospel" [13]. The biblical text thus forms readers into a particular understanding of divine justice, mercy, and faithfulness through repeated patterns across its canonical scope.

Human reason and creation witness to God's existence and power, but Scripture claims unique authority to reveal his redemptive purposes, moral character, and covenant faithfulness—the aspects of divine nature most essential for human response and relationship.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  4. 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”
  5. Hebrews “Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, -- Hebrews 6:1”
  6. 1 John “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. -- 1 John 4:6”
  7. I Timothy “I Timothy 1:5 (BSB) — The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.”
  8. Proverbs “Proverbs 1:7 (NASB) — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
  9. 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
  10. 1 Corinthians “But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. -- 1 Corinthians 2:10”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 14: 31 GENERAL INDEX OF CHAPTERS. BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR. Eighteen Chapters 1. Connection between the Knowledge of God and the Knowledge of Ourselves. Nature of the connection. 2. What it is to Know God. Tendency of this Knowledge. 3. The Human Mind naturally imbued with the Knowledge of God. 4. This Knowledge stifled or corrupted, ignorantly or maliciously. 5. The Knowledge of God displayed in the fabric and constant Government of the Universe. 6. The need of Scripture as a Guide and Teacher in coming to God a”
  12. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 30: primary, immediate, and principal source of divine knowledge; that they are not “to be subjected to the examination either of the outward testimony of the Scriptures, or of the natural reason of man, as to a more noble or certain rule or touchstone;” 58 58 Barclay’s Second Proposition. yet they also teach that nothing not contained in the Scriptures can be an article of faith; that we are bound to believe all the Bible teaches; that everything contrary to its teaching is to be rejected as “a delusion of the devil,” no matter from what sou”
  13. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:46: 1:46-55 Mary’s song is the first of three songs of praise in the birth narrative. It is called the Magnificat (“magnifies”), from the first word in the Latin translation. The song has many parallels to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Sam 2:1-10. The fact that God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes is a common theme throughout Luke’s Gospel. The coming of God’s Kingdom brings salvation to rejected and outcast people.”
  14. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:19: 1:19 God in all his fullness emphasizes that God has chosen to reveal himself fully in Jesus Christ. Seeing Jesus and understanding him therefore means seeing and understanding God (see John 14:6-11). The false teachers seemed to be saying that Christians needed to look to other spiritual beings to find out more about God (see Col 1:16, 20). But Christ is sufficient for all our knowledge of God (cp. 2:8-9).”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:17: O God, thou hast taught me from my youth,.... The corruption of human nature; the weakness and impotence of it, to everything that is spiritually good; and the need of continual strength and grace from Christ, to go to him for righteousness and strength, life and salvation, and to walk by faith on him; the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the insufficiency of his own; the will, ways, and worship of God; and all the duties of religion, prayer, praise, &c. and whoever were the instruments, or whatever were the means, of teaching David these”
  16. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER ONE (part 6): (St. Augustine, Conf. 10, 28, 39: PL 32, 795}. 46 When he listens to the message of creation and to the voice of conscience, man can arrive at certainty about the existence of God, the cause and the end of everything. 47 The Church teaches that the one true God, our Creator and Lord, can be known with certainty from his works, by the natural light of human reason (cf. Vatican Council I, can. 2 # 1: DS 3026), 48 We really can name God, starting from the manifold perfections of his creatures, which are likenesses of the infinitely perfect G”
  17. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”
  18. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), How the Human Soul Knows What Is above Itself, Art. 3: Article: Whether God is the first object known by the human mind? I answer that, Since the human intellect in the present state of life cannot understand even immaterial created substances (Article [1]), much less can it understand the essence of the uncreated substance. Hence it must be said simply that God is not the first object of our knowledge. Rather do we know God through creatures, according to the Apostle (Rm. 1:20), "the invisible things of God are clearly seen, being understood”
  19. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 1:7: Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state. Primum, deos immortales cole, parentesque honora - First worship the immortal gods, and honour your parents. To make young people such as they should be, I. Let them have regard to God as their supreme. 1. He lays down this truth, that the”
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