Theology Thursday
Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.
John MacArthur, “Chapter Five: The Sufficiency of the Written Word,” in Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible, ed. Don Kistler (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009), 79.
I’ll always remember the day a desperate young man walked into Church asking for someone to pray with him. He was directed to me and we went into a room where he told me about his dying mother. It was a really sad story. But what made it sadder still was that this young man believed that God had spoken to him, telling him that his mother would be healed.
Many people across history have claimed to have God speak to them. Many people today say that they have heard from God. But how can we be sure? Now, I’m not going to comment on whether people have or not. I don’t put it past God to speak to people in ways other than the Bible, even audibly.
But the principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is that God’s primary and authoritative means of speaking is not through a Pope, a pastor or personal intuition but through the Scriptures.
In them we have everything we need to know God, to know the good news about Jesus and salvation, as well as how to live in a way that pleases God. The Scriptures mean that every person can hear from God. The Scriptures mean that every person can have confidence in their knowledge of God, the gospel and His will.
I love this quote from Justin Peters, “If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your Bible out loud.”
So if you do hear someone say they have heard from God. You don’t need to immediately dismiss them, but to be sure, check the Scriptures.
Today:
Pray:
John MacArthur, “Chapter Five: The Sufficiency of the Written Word,” in Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible, ed. Don Kistler (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009), 79.
I’ll always remember the day a desperate young man walked into Church asking for someone to pray with him. He was directed to me and we went into a room where he told me about his dying mother. It was a really sad story. But what made it sadder still was that this young man believed that God had spoken to him, telling him that his mother would be healed.
Many people across history have claimed to have God speak to them. Many people today say that they have heard from God. But how can we be sure? Now, I’m not going to comment on whether people have or not. I don’t put it past God to speak to people in ways other than the Bible, even audibly.
But the principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is that God’s primary and authoritative means of speaking is not through a Pope, a pastor or personal intuition but through the Scriptures.
In them we have everything we need to know God, to know the good news about Jesus and salvation, as well as how to live in a way that pleases God. The Scriptures mean that every person can hear from God. The Scriptures mean that every person can have confidence in their knowledge of God, the gospel and His will.
I love this quote from Justin Peters, “If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your Bible out loud.”
So if you do hear someone say they have heard from God. You don’t need to immediately dismiss them, but to be sure, check the Scriptures.
Today:
- Do you agree with Sola Scriptura?
- Have you had a situation where someone heard from God?
- Commit to reading and studying the Bible as God’s authoritative words.
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He has revealed Himself and His ways in the Scriptures.
- Give thanks for Jesus Christ who is the Word of God.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others search, know and trust in the Scriptures.
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