If sufficiency is indeed just a theological construct with no biblical moorings, then we are justified rejecting it as merely a man-made concept. But if, as I’ve tried to show, the Bible itself teaches that it is sufficient, then we are obligated to view it as such. And if so, then we ought to know why sufficiency is significant. Read More
Category: Sword and Trumpet
The Sufficiency of Scripture | Part 5
We arrive again at two verses that significantly shape our understanding of the nature of Scripture. We’ve referenced these verses in nearly every characteristic of Scripture we’ve explored the last three years, and for good reason. They are rich with clear teaching on what the Bible is, how we got it, and what it does. Read More
The Sufficiency of Scripture | Part 4
Is Scripture valuable for the Christian? Clearly it is. It reveals what holiness looks like. If we heed it, we can be undefiled, doing no iniquity. It brings us into relationship with God. It also cleanses from sin, preserves our relationship with God, and keeps us from sin. Read More
The Sufficiency of Scripture | Part 3
The phrase “life and godliness” comprehensively covers all of the Christian experience, from conversion, through the daily walk of obedience, to the enjoyment of eternal life with Christ. Peter succinctly but thoroughly includes the entirety of Christianity in these two words, “life and godliness.” Read More
The Sufficiency of Scripture | Part 2
Scripture is sufficient as the revelation of saving truth, and we need no other source or new revelation. The Spirit takes that revelation and, through it, transforms our hearts and lives. Read More
The Sufficiency of Scripture | Part 1
Scripture contains all the words of God that are necessary for us to be saved and for us to live obedient, victorious Christian lives. Read More
Illumination | Part 3
Some of the issues paralleling illumination aren’t always well understood. Here at the end of our study of illumination, I’d like to look at some of those issues in more detail. Read More
Illumination | Part 2
Psalm 119 proclaims the great worth of God’s law, but it also teaches us that we need God’s help to understand it. Without illumination, we cannot understand Scripture as we ought to. But Ephesians promises that God is willing and able to illuminate us, so we can understand the hope of the gospel, the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power toward us. Scripture gives us all things necessary for life and godliness, and the Spirit is our guide, enabling our understanding and teaching us wonderful things from God’s law. Read More
Illumination | Part 1
We can only understand Scripture intellectually, personally, and transformationally if God enlightens our understanding and teaches us from His Word. The Spirit must illuminate us for us to properly understand the Bible. That, in a nutshell, is the doctrine of illumination. Read More
The Clarity of Scripture | Part 5
As with much theology, we are tempted to view the clarity of Scripture as true, but not essentially important for the Christian life. Yet I believe that much is lost if we reject or neglect this concept. What follows are six things affected by our belief in the clarity of Scripture. Read More