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Prioritizing Scripture in Theological Decision Making

Prioritizing Scripture in theological decision-making means recognizing the Bible as the ultimate authority for doctrine and practice [9]. This principle asserts that the sacred texts, understood as divinely inspired, serve as the foundational guide for understanding God, humanity, and the path to salvation [5, 1].

The biblical basis for prioritizing Scripture is evident in numerous passages. The apostle Paul states that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) [1]. This verse highlights the divine origin and practical utility of Scripture. Similarly, 2 Peter 1:21 notes that "prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" [1]. These passages underscore the belief that God actively guided the human authors, ensuring the reliability and authority of their writings. Jesus himself frequently appealed to Scripture, as seen in his responses to temptation (Matthew 4:4) and his teachings (Luke 24:27), thereby sanctioning its authority [1]. The New Testament consistently refers to the Old Testament as "Scripture," a definite collection of sacred books regarded as inspired by God [5].

The concept of Scripture as the "Word of God" is central to its prioritization. Various biblical texts refer to it as "the Word" (James 1:21-23; 1 Peter 2:2), "the Word of God" (Luke 11:28; Hebrews 4:12), "the Word of Christ" (Colossians 3:16), and "the Word of truth" (James 1:18) [1]. These designations emphasize its divine origin and inherent truthfulness. Daniel 10:21 even calls it the "Scripture of truth" [1]. This understanding implies that Scripture is not merely human wisdom but God's revealed will, intended to be perpetuated through written form [5].

Historically, the prioritization of Scripture has been a hallmark of various traditions. The practice of public reading of Scripture, transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, demonstrates its early importance [8]. The apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy to devote himself to "reading" (1 Timothy 4:13) refers specifically to the public reading of Scripture in congregational settings [8]. This practice indicates that the early church recognized the New Testament Gospels and Epistles as inspired and read them alongside the Old Testament [8].

Theological decision-making, in this context, involves a serious and deliberate choice to follow the "way of truth" found in Scripture [6]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:30, emphasizes that "the way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the principles it is founded on are principles of eternal truth, and it is the only true way to happiness" [6]. This perspective suggests that theological decisions should align with these foundational truths, rather than being based on personal preference or fleeting opinions. The process of making such decisions is described as necessary for serving God, requiring individuals to seek God with their whole heart, keep His commandments, and follow Him fully [2]. This stands in contrast to "double-mindedness" or "halting between two opinions" (James 1:8; 1 Kings 18:21) [2].

The role of Scripture extends to informing fundamental doctrines. For instance, the doctrine of predestination, though complex, is understood through the "revealed word of God" [3]. The Greek word for "predestinate" appears in passages like Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5, 11, teaching that God's eternal purpose governs events [3]. While acknowledging the difficulties, Easton's Bible Dictionary asserts that the revealed word of God serves as the guide for understanding such "secret things" [3]. Similarly, the concept of the final judgment is predicted in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 9:7) and is considered a "first principle of the gospel" (Hebrews 6:2) [4]. These examples illustrate how Scripture provides the framework for understanding core theological concepts.

John Gill, in his commentary on Galatians 3:8, notes the Jewish practice of citing Scripture with phrases like "what does the Scripture foresee?" [10]. He explains that "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" [10]. This highlights the belief that God's foreknowledge is embedded within the scriptural text itself, further solidifying its authority in theological discourse.

The prioritization of Scripture also implies a call to diligent study. Jesus's command to "Search the scriptures" (John 5:39) is interpreted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown as an affirmation that "all have a right and are bound to search" the Scriptures [11]. This search is not merely for information but for understanding Christ, who is presented as the "Great Burden of their testimony" [11]. This perspective contrasts with any view that would restrict access to or interpretation of Scripture, emphasizing individual responsibility in engaging with the text [11].

The apostle Paul's method of writing, as observed by Matthew Henry on Romans 12, further illustrates the practical application of scriptural prioritization. After establishing "prime fundamental doctrines of Christianity," Paul proceeds to "press the principal duties" [7]. This demonstrates that theology is not merely a "system of notions" but a "practical religion" designed to "reform our hearts and lives" [7]. Thus, theological decisions derived from Scripture are expected to have tangible implications for Christian conduct and spiritual formation.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  5. 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”
  6. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:30: Observe, I. That those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must first make it their serious and deliberate choice; so David did: I have chosen the way of truth. Note, 1. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the principles it is founded on are principles of eternal truth, and it is the only true way to happiness. 2. We must choose to walk in this way, not because we know no other way, but because we know no better; nay we know no other safe and good way. Let us choose that way for our way, which we will walk in, though it be narrow. I”
  7. Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 12 (introduction): The apostle, having at large cleared and confirmed the prime fundamental doctrines of Christianity, comes in the next place to press the principal duties. We mistake our religion if we look upon it only as a system of notions and a guide to speculation. No, it is a practical religion, that tends to the right ordering of the conversation. It is designed not only to inform our judgments, but to reform our hearts and lives. From the method of the apostle's writing in this, as in some other of the epistles (as from the management of the principal minister”
  8. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
  9. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”
  10. 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 ”
  11. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
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