Michael Reeves, president of Union School of Theology and author of several insightful books, dives into the pivotal role of Scripture as the ultimate authority in Christian life. He discusses the reforms of Martin Luther and the concept of sola scriptura, highlighting the Bible's self-authenticating nature. Reeves contrasts this with the authority claims of the Roman Catholic Church and examines how true faith transcends external proofs. His engaging insights emphasize that understanding the Word of God is fundamental to living a righteous and worshipful life.
Michael Reeves emphasizes that Scripture alone serves as the supreme authority, distinctly shaping our understanding of faith and practice.
The Reformation's notion of 'sola scriptura' underscores that while other authorities exist, they must align with the infallibility of God's Word.
Deep dives
The Authority of Scripture
The Reformation marked a significant shift in the understanding of the authority of Scripture, with Reformers like Luther arguing that Scripture alone is the supreme and inerrant authority. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, which maintained that tradition and the papacy held authoritative power, Luther emphasized that only God's Word is without error and should govern faith and practice. This concept of 'sola scriptura' affirms that while other important authorities exist, they must always align with Scripture, which remains the ultimate source of truth. Luther's rejection of papal infallibility highlighted the core struggle of the Reformation—the establishment of Scripture as the single standard of theological authority.
Self-Authentication of Scripture
The Reformers maintained that the Bible proves itself to be the Word of God, not merely by claiming that status but through its inherent qualities. John Calvin emphasized that the Scriptures exhibit clear evidence of their truth, akin to natural colors and tastes, indicating that the Scriptures can be understood by anyone willing to engage with them. This internal evidence of Scripture's divine nature serves as a foundation for the confidence believers have in its authority, independent of external validations. The implication of this belief is profound, as it means that the Scriptures can be presented to all people without the need for institutional intermediaries like the Church or Pope.
Contrasting Views on Scripture's Divinity
The assertion of Scripture's self-authenticating nature contrasts sharply with similar claims made by adherents of other religions regarding their holy texts. For instance, while Muslims may point to the literary beauty of the Quran as evidence of its divine origin, the Christian claim centers on the multifaceted glory of the Scripture's message across various genres. Moreover, unlike the subjective personal experiences reported by some Mormon followers regarding the Book of Mormon, the confidence in Scripture's authenticity is derived from its demonstrable and coherent meaning. Therefore, true confidence in Scripture arises from a thorough reading and understanding of the text itself, further demonstrating its uniqueness and divine quality.
Our view of the Bible influences every other aspect of our lives. Today, Michael Reeves explains that, rather than one voice among many, Scripture alone is our supreme authority as the very Word of God.
Get Michael Reeves’ teaching series Reformation Truths on DVD, plus lifetime digital access to the messages and study guide, for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3660/reformation-truths Meet Today’s Teacher: Michael Reeves is president and professor of theology at Union School of Theology in the United Kingdom. He is the featured teacher for the Ligonier teaching series The English Reformation and the Puritans. He is author of many books, including The Unquenchable Flame, Delighting in the Trinity, and Rejoice and Tremble. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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