Scripture as the Sole Authority on God in Christianity
The concept of Scripture as the sole authority on God in Christianity, often referred to as sola Scriptura, asserts that the Bible is the ultimate and sufficient source for Christian doctrine and practice [8]. This principle emphasizes that God's revealed will is perpetuated through the written Word, which serves as an infallible record [5].
The Bible is consistently presented as divinely inspired, given by God and through the Holy Spirit [2]. Passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16 state that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" [2]. Jesus himself sanctioned the authority of Scripture by appealing to it and teaching from it [2]. The sacred writings are referred to by various names that underscore their divine origin and authority, including "the Word," "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," and "Holy Scriptures" [2].
This understanding of Scripture's authority is foundational to knowing God. The Bible takes for granted the existence of God, who is identified by names such as 'El, 'Eloah, 'Elohim, and Jehovah [3]. It reveals God as the "only wise God" [6, 7, 9], and the ultimate source of all wisdom [7]. This singular focus on God is a ground for exclusive obedience and supreme love [1]. The unity of God is asserted by God himself, Christ, Moses, and the apostles, and is consistent with the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit [1].
The "Word of God" is considered infallible because it was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, making it free from error in fact, doctrine, or precept [4]. Therefore, all saving knowledge is obtained from the Word of God [4]. The New Testament consistently refers to the Old Testament as "Scripture," a definite collection of sacred books regarded as inspired by God [5]. This collection was enlarged over time as God raised up individuals to commit His revelation to writing, resulting in a completed Scripture comprising both the Old and New Testaments [5].
The authority of Scripture means that it is the true source for all matters of doctrine and practice [8]. As such, it is the standard by which Christians are to live and understand God's nature and will.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- 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: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- 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 ”
- 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”
- Romans “Romans 16:27 (Darby) — [the] only wiseGod, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 16:25: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ,.... This may be understood of God the Father, who is the only wise God, originally, essentially, and infinitely; though not to the exclusion of the Son and Spirit; and whose infinite wisdom appears in the works of creation and providence, in redemption and salvation by Christ, and in the whole scheme of the Gospel so largely commended in the foregoing verses: and the glory of all is displayed in, and to be given to him through Christ as Mediator; as the glory of his power and wisdom, particularly mentioned, who is the ”
- 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”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:25: To the only wise God - Who alone can teach, who alone has declared the truth; that truth in which ye now stand. See on Rom 16:27 (note). Our Savior - Who has by his blood washed us from our sins, and made us kings and priests unto God the Father. Be glory - Be ascribed all light, excellence, and splendor. Majesty - All power, authority, and pre-eminence. Dominion - All rule and government in the world and in the Church, in earth and in heaven. And power - All energy and operation to every thing that is wise, great, good, holy, and excellent. Both now - In the present ”