Theological Term of the Week: Sola Scriptura

sola scriptura

Literally, “scripture alone.” The reformation slogan identifying scripture as the only infallible rule of faith. The doctrine of sola scriptura affirms that everything we need to know for our salvation and spiritual life is taught, either explicitly or implicitly, in scripture.

• From scripture:

[F]rom childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV)

• From  The Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 3:

Q3: What is the word of God?
A3: The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God,[1] the only rule of faith and obedience.[2]

1. II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:19-21
2. Eph. 2:20; Rev. 22:18-19; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Gal. 1:8-9; II Tim. 3:15-16

• From Living For God’s Glory by Joel Beeke, page 133:

The Reformers contended that all things must be tested “by Scripture alone” (sola scriptura). This explains why the Reformers accepted some parts of Roman Catholic teaching and not others. They believed Scripture is to rule in the church, for it is the Word of God and the voice of God (verbum Dei). Therefore, its authority is absolute, not derivative, they said. John Calvin said that Scripture is as authoritative as if God Himself “had been giving utterance.” A Christian should rely on and be governed by its promises, and the church should be wholly subject to its authority. In fact, all other kinds of authority—papal, creedal, and civil—must be subordinate to Scripture.

Learn more: 

1. Michael Kruger: Scripture Alone
2. Matthew Barrett: What Is Sola Scripture? (video)
3. Marty Foord: The Real Meaning of Sola Scriptura
4. Joel Ryan: What Is Sola Scriptura? 
5. W. Robert Godfrey: What Do We Mean by Sola Scriptura?
6. R. C. Sproul: Sola Scripture: What Is Reformed Theology? (video)
7. Michael Kruger: What Is Sola Scriptura Protecting Us Against? More Than You Think
8. Guy Prentiss Waters: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide

Related terms:

• authority of scripture
• five solas 
• inerrancy scripture
• infallibility of scripture
• inspiration of scripture
• sufficiency of scripture

Filed under Scripture

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.

Sunday Hymn: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Holy God, we praise Thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.

—Ig­naz Franz

Theological Term of the Week: Redaction Criticism

redaction criticism

The study of the role of the editor in the composition of the biblical text. 

(Evangelical redaction criticism presupposes the supernatural nature of scripture, and is used to focus on the the particular theological objectives of a biblical author. But more commonly, redaction criticism is done from anti-supernatural presuppositions and used to confirm the (supposedly) human origin of scripture. One of the linked articles under Learn More below denounces redaction criticism generally, but it does so under the assumption that all redaction criticism has anti-supernatural presuppositions.)

• From 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer, page 301:

[W]hile many biblical authors had both firsthand knowledge of events (e.g., the apostle John) and oral and written sources from which to draw (e.g., Luke 1:1-4), the redactor ultimately showed his theological interests and purposes through selecting, omitting, editing, and summarizing the material for his text. (Of course, Christians assume the Holy Spirit was working through the redactors in this process.)

Learn more: 

1. Got Questions: What are redaction criticism and higher criticism?
2. D. A. Carson: Redaction Criticism: On the Legitimacy and Illegitimacy of a Literary Tool 
3. Robert Stein: Redaction Criticism

Related terms:

• amanuensis
• autographs 
• codex
• inspiration of scripture
• manuscripts
• source criticism
• text criticism

Filed under Scripture

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.