Theological Term of the Week: Analogy of Faith

analogy of faith
A principle of Biblical interpretation that presumes that God is the ultimate source of all scripture, so we can view scripture as a unified whole, and thus no passage of Scripture can rightly be interpreted in a way that contradicts the rest of scripture, and clearer passages can be used in interpreting more obscure ones; also called analogia fidei or analogy of scripture.

• From the London Baptist Confession 1689, Chapter 1, Section 9:

The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.

• From The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, III 3:

Inasmuch as all Scripture is the product of a single divine mind, interpretation must stay within the bounds of the analogy of Scripture and eschew hypotheses that would correct one Biblical passage by another, whether in the name of progressive revelation or of the imperfect enlightenment of the inspired writer’s mind.

Learn more:

1. Monergism.com: What does the term “analogy of faith” mean?
2. Theopedia: Analogy of Faith
3. Christian Research Institute: The Analogy of Faith: Does Scripture Interpret Scripture?

Related terms:

• inerrancy of scripture
• inspiration of scripture
• norma normans non normata
• perspicuity of scripture

Filed under Scripture

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Sunday Hymn: Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

—Elisha Hoffman

Theological Term of the Week: Amanuensis

amanuensis
A scribe or secretary employed to assist an author of the Bible or other texts by writing down what is dictated and sometimes helping with syntax and grammar.

• From scripture:

I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. (Romans 15:22 ESV)

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (1 Peter 5:12)

• From The Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies by Arthur G. Patzia and Anthony J. Petrotta:

Tertius is named the “writer” of Romans (16:22). Paul also employed other individuals, and he draws attention to the fact by commenting that he is closing the letter in his own hand. (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thess 3:17). Silvanus is identified as Peter’s amanuensis (1 Pet 5:12). This practice of using secretaries (Jer 36:4) may account for some differences in style and language in some NT letters attributed to Paul and Peter. 

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Were Some of the Biblical Books Actually Written by a Scribe Rather than by the Named Author? (An Amanuensis)

Related terms:

• autographs
• inspiration of scripture

Filed under Scripture

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Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured as a Theological Term of the Week? Email your suggestion using the contact button in the navigation bar above. 

Clicking on the Theological Terms button above the header will take you to an alphabetical list of all the theological terms.