Challenges to Submission to Scripture's Authority in Christian Life

Submission to Scripture's authority is a cornerstone of Christian life, with the Bible serving as the ultimate guide for faith and practice. However, various challenges to this submission have arisen throughout history. The apostle Peter warns against the danger of being misled by false prophets, emphasizing the importance of being grounded in the truth of Scripture ^[1].

One of the primary challenges to submission to Scripture's authority is the influence of personal opinions and cultural norms. The apostle Paul cautions against being led astray by "stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts" rather than adhering to "God's ordered way of life which is in faith" ^[2]. This highlights the tension between relying on Scripture as the ultimate authority and being swayed by external influences.

The early Christian church faced similar challenges, with some individuals resisting the authority of governing authorities. Paul addresses this issue in Romans 13:1-2, emphasizing the importance of submitting to those in positions of authority while maintaining ultimate submission to God ^{[4, 9]}. This nuanced understanding of authority is crucial in navigating the complexities of Christian life.

Another challenge to submission to Scripture's authority is the role of human interpretation. Adam Clarke notes that the eunuch's question, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" is often misinterpreted as proof that Scripture requires an authorized interpreter ^[8]. However, Clarke argues that this passage simply highlights the need for guidance when encountering unfamiliar teachings. In contexts where the Gospel has been proclaimed and the Scriptures are available, individuals can clearly understand the message of salvation.

The history of Christian interpretation is marked by diverse perspectives on Scripture's authority. John Chrysostom, for example, discusses the potential objections to Paul's teachings on the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating the complexities of interpreting Scripture in different contexts ^[5]. Similarly, Tyndale House notes that the book of Revelation contains a solemn declaration against altering its contents, underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of Scripture ^[6].

In Christian practice, submission to Scripture's authority is often tested by the willingness to confess Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the necessity of confessing Christ, citing examples from the New Testament, such as Peter and Nathanael ^[3]. This confession is not merely a verbal acknowledgment but is deeply connected to faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The challenges to submission to Scripture's authority are multifaceted, involving both internal and external factors. As Adam Clarke observes, pride, vanity, and self-love can be significant obstacles to embracing the teachings of Scripture ^[7]. Conversely, humility and a willingness to submit to God's Word are essential for a vibrant Christian life.

The various Christian traditions represented in the sources — Eastern Orthodox, Protestant academic, Baptist/Reformed, and Methodist/Wesleyan — all grapple with the complexities of submitting to Scripture's authority. While their approaches may differ, they share a common commitment to the authority of Scripture in Christian life.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Peter, Second Epistle Of — The following is a brief outline of the contents of this epistle: The customary opening salutation is followed by an enumeration of Christian blessings and exhortation to Christian duties. (2 Peter 1:1-13) Referring then to his approaching death, the apostle assigns as grounds of assurance for believers his own personal testimony as eye-witness of the transfiguration and the sure word of prophecy--that is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. vs. (2 Peter 1:14-21) The danger of being misled by false prophets is dwelt upon with great earnestness t”
I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (BBE) — Or to give attention to stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts, in place of God's ordered way of life which is in faith;”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
Romans “Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. -- Romans 13:2”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: The passage iii. 1–8 considers four possible objections. (1) “This placing of Jews and Gentiles in the same condition, takes away all the theocratic prerogatives.” ( v. 1 .) No, answers Paul, they have a great advantage as to light and privilege, though none as to righteousness. ( v. 2 .) (2) “They have the O.T. scriptures, you say; but what if those scriptures have not attained their end in bringing the Jews to believe in Jesus as the Messiah? If some have not believed, does not that render void God’s promises to his people in the O.T., so that he i”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 22:18: 22:18-19 I solemnly declare: John issues an oath to protect the integrity of the book of Revelation. He declares a curse upon anyone who alters the contents of the book or its message (cp. Deut 4:2; 12:32). The curse contrasts with the statement of blessing on all who read aloud, listen to, and obey the prophecy (Rev 1:3). At the time Revelation was written, scribes would sometimes alter books to suit their own views. Early Christians quickly developed means of authenticating both messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 The”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 5:44: How can ye believe, which receive honor, etc. - The grand obstacle to the salvation of the scribes and Pharisees was their pride, vanity, and self-love. They lived on each other's praise. If they had acknowledged Christ as the only teacher, they must have given up the good opinion of the multitude; and they chose rather to lose their souls than to forfeit their reputation among men! This is the ruin of millions. They would be religious, if religion and worldly honor were connected; but as the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, and their hearts and souls are wedde”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 8:31: How can I, except some man should guide me? - This is no proof that "the Scriptures cannot be understood without an authorized interpreter," as some of the papistical writers assert. How could the eunuch know any thing of the Gospel dispensation, to which this scripture referred? That dispensation had not yet been proclaimed to him; he knew nothing about Jesus. But where that dispensation has been published, where the four Gospels and the apostolic epistles are at hand, every thing relative to the salvation of the soul may be clearly apprehended by any simple, upright”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:1: 13:1-2 The basic command of 13:1-7 is to submit to governing authorities. In God’s ordering of the world, we answer to those in positions of authority. Our submission to them will usually take the form of obedience. However, because God stands over all governments, our submission to governing authorities must always be in terms of our ultimate submission to God (see Acts 4:19-20). The Roman Christians might have been resisting government (see study note on Rom 13:6) based on a false understanding of the Good News, as if no longer copying “the behavior and customs ”

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