In 2018, I developed an outline for the 2019 themes for this magazine. I weaved together topics of biblical, doctrinal, and cultural nature. I have endeavored to generate dialogue among readers and groups; to wrestle with a theme and consider it from various viewpoints. When I compiled the list, I planned to approach two “thorny” topics with the immediate cultural application. When I solicited writers, I met more resistance than I expected. Soon it was clear, and I had to change directions. My trusted colleagues recommended I chose something that might be less “controversial.” They recommended an issue on Scriptural Authority! …irony? Although I feel my topics would have been far less controversial, I decided to follow their wisdom.

We live in a generation that has a real problem with authority. In fact, there have been groups of people in every generation who have challenged authority; some have won, others have lost terribly. When we pose the question of scriptural authority, some may bristle under the pronunciation of the word…authority.

I am challenged by the topic, not because of any doctrinal view of scripture, but because the topic creates more questions for me than it answers. I’ll share more on this below. But we must start with some background.

In the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, there was a great debate between two theological parties. One side held that the scripture was infallible in all matters (including science, history, and time). The other side maintained that the scripture was infallible (authoritative) only on matters of faith and doctrine. The two fractions continue today to grapple with these aspects. Dare I admit these parties are alive and well within most modern evangelical denominations. Yet, I think there must be more to the question than these options.

I have been told by friendly brothers of both liberal and conservative flavors that when the Articles of Faith were compiled, the first significant discussion was if Article One should be about God or the Bible. This, my friends, is the challenge with the question of the term, “Biblical Authority.” Does God have authority without the Bible? Does the Bible have authority apart from God?

The Bible is a collection of ancient events and stories compiled by holy men who were inspired by God’s Spirit to record these events, stories, and lessons as rule and guide of faith for us today. The creation happened because of God’s authority. Abraham entered a covenant with God on His authority, and it is recorded in the inspired scripture. Jesus tells us that all authority is given to him, and he then gives that authority to the Apostles. So the idea of authority seems to move around a lot in scripture; nonetheless, authority rests with God.

So, what is authoritative about scripture? For evangelicals, we believe in sola scriptura (scripture alone.) During the Reformation, many reformers held to this idea. We believe there is a sufficiency for faith, doctrine, and salvation found in scripture, not in the traditions of a denomination, nor by the spoken word by a church leader. Therefore, scripture interprets scripture, and is the authority for sound doctrine, wisdom, and understanding God’s interaction with humankind throughout history. The scripture is the authority on matters of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness; but scripture has no authority apart from God’s authority.

My concern is that Christians have turned to the Bible as the sole authority (or Soul Authority) and feels it must manipulate, twist, and contort the text to fix the challenging sections of the Scripture to defend God. God doesn’t need our flaccid defenses. The scripture has power because God’s wisdom and authority are visible through those blessed pages. The scripture becomes the lens through which we can see an aspect of God’s nature, but more importantly, we can see how Scripture gives us evidence for God’s expectations for the Church in the world.

God’s authority remains with Him, and a portion of it is found in the inspired scriptures, but also in the divinely established Church. Nonetheless, neither of them will exist on their merit or apart from God. What makes the Scripture special to me is that God is still breathing through those ancient words to show me His Authority. The Church of Jesus Christ is still alive because God continues to inspire men and women to act with boldness to spread the Gospel.

I wonder if the better question is if believers care about the authority of the scripture. If we believe it, why haven’t we followed its precepts with regularity? Could we be guilty of worshiping the Book and not the Author? Could we trick ourselves into thinking we are doing God a favor by defending such arguments when we are just trying to distract ourselves from the main business of turning the world upside down by the Authority of Almighty God?