The Role of Scripture in Decision Making in Christianity
The Christian understanding of Scripture emphasizes its divine origin and its foundational role in guiding belief and practice. The Bible is consistently referred to as "the Word of God" because its writers were considered God's instruments in communicating His will to humanity [4]. This divine inspiration means that Scripture is "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), making it an infallible record free from error in fact, doctrine, or precept [4, 9, 10].
From its earliest articulations, the term "Scripture" in the New Testament refers to the sacred books, particularly the Old Testament, which were regarded as divinely inspired [2]. The collection of these books forms the "canon," serving as the authoritative written rule for the faith and practice of the Christian Church [3]. This authority extends to both the Old and New Testaments [3, 10].
Scripture is presented as essential for salvation and spiritual wisdom. Paul reminds Timothy that "from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15) [6, 7, 14]. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical, equipping believers for "doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) [9]. The effectiveness of Scripture stems from its divine source, as it is "breathed out by God’s own speech" [10].
The role of Scripture in decision-making is multifaceted:
- Guidance for Doctrine and Practice: Scripture is the "true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice" [15]. It provides the principles upon which Christian life and belief are built [13]. For instance, the command to "be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16) is rooted in Scripture and serves as a foundational ethical directive [15].
- Discernment and Correction: Scripture is profitable for "reproof" and "correction" [9]. It helps believers identify and rectify errors in their understanding and behavior. The Word of God is described as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, discerning thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12) [1].
- Foundation for Faith: Saving knowledge is obtained from the Word of God [4]. The Scriptures reveal God's plan of salvation and the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them, teaching from them, and fulfilling their prophecies [1]. He urged people to "search the scriptures" because they testify about him and offer eternal life [11].
- Obedience and Righteousness: Scripture provides "instruction in righteousness" [9]. It makes known God's commandments, leading to "obedience of faith" among all nations (Romans 16:26) [8]. David, for example, chose "the way of truth," recognizing that serious godliness is founded on eternal truths and is the only true path to happiness [13].
- Warning Against Disobedience: Disobedience to the "word" is linked to spiritual stumbling and judicial punishment [12]. This underscores the seriousness with which God's revealed will in Scripture is to be regarded.
While Scripture provides comprehensive guidance, some aspects of God's plan, such as predestination, are acknowledged as "secret things" that are difficult to fully comprehend [5]. Nevertheless, even in these complex areas, the revealed Word of God remains the ultimate guide [5]. The Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but the authoritative voice of God speaking to humanity, making it indispensable for Christian decision-making [4].
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: 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Canon Of Scripture, The — may be generally described as the "collection of books which form the original and authoritative written rule of the faith and practice of the Christian Church," i.e. the Old and New Testaments. The word canon, in classical Greek, is properly a straight rod, "a rule" in the widest sense, and especially in the phrases "the rule of the Church," "the rule of faith," "the rule of truth," The first direct application of the term canon to the Scriptures seems to be in the verses of Amphilochius (cir. 380 A.D.), where the word indicates the rule by ”
- 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: 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”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (BSB) — From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
- 2 Timothy “From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. -- 2 Timothy 3:15”
- Romans “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. -- Romans 14:23”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (KJV) — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- 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)”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:8: stone of stumbling, &c.--quoted from Isa 8:14. Not merely they stumbled, in that their prejudices were offended; but their stumbling implies the judicial punishment of their reception of Messiah; they hurt themselves in stumbling over the corner-stone, as "stumble" means in Jer 13:16; Dan 11:19. at the word--rather, join "being disobedient to the word"; so Pe1 3:1; Pe1 4:17. whereunto--to penal stumbling; to the judicial punishment of their unbelief. See above. also--an additional thought; God's ordination; not that God ordains or appoints them t”
- 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”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 3:15: From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures - The early religious education of Timothy has been already sufficiently noticed; see Ti2 1:5, and the preface to the first epistle. St. Paul introduces this circumstance again here for the confirmation of Timothy's faith. He had learned the doctrines of Christianity from a genuine apostle; and, as Christianity is founded on the law and the prophets, Timothy was able to compare its doctrines with all that had been typified and predicted, and consequently was assured that the Christian religion was true. Able to mak”
- 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”