In the last few years, we’ve discussed quite a number of aspects of the nature of Scripture. The next characteristic of the Bible that we will examine is one that is professed in by many people but is often denied by the same in daily life. Namely, we’re discussing the idea of whether or not the Bible is sufficient for the Christian life. Does the Bible address every one of our problems? Does it teach us how to help a child who has been abused, or how to overcome perpetual personal sin? Does it answer every question related to Christian doctrine and practice?
As I hope to prove on the basis of Scripture’s own teachings about itself, the Bible is indeed sufficient. As we move forward, we will talk about what exactly sufficiency means, what is and is not included in the Bible’s sufficient scope, and some of the practical outworkings of believing in Scripture’s sufficiency.
Defining Sufficiency
That Scripture is sufficient means that it contains all the words of God that are necessary for us to be saved and for us to live obedient, victorious Christian lives. In it, the gospel is plainly revealed so that we, in hearing and understanding it, can accept it and be saved. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” as Romans 10:17 says. Saving faith is fundamentally dependent on the Word of God—Scripture—for salvation. Faith requires knowing the truth of the gospel. The truth of the gospel is understood through the Word. The Word, then, becomes a crucial element in salvation. But beyond that, it is able, by itself, to confer all the information necessary for salvation. Succinctly, Scripture is both elemental to salvation and is sufficient to save us even if it is the only source of truth we have.
It also contains everything we need to live obedient, victorious Christian lives. No problem—social, political, relational—is beyond the bearing of Scripture. It speaks to all of life, and it touches us personally. Are you worn out, overworked, striving to be good enough for God? The Bible offers rest in Christ. Are you stressed? Cast your cares on the God who cares for you. Hopeless? We can rejoice in hope of the glory of God, knowing the eternal glories we will experience in His presence far outweigh the sufferings of life and the burdens of failed aspirations or unmet expectations. Fearful? When we are afraid, we can trust in Him.
Much more could be said, and I will pick up that thread later on. For now, remember that the Bible is sufficient (a) for salvation and (b) for obedient, victorious Christian living.
Biblical Evidence
Does the Bible teach its own sufficiency? I believe it does, consistently and clearly. I’ve divided our examination of these Scriptures along the lines described above. First are passages teaching that the Bible is sufficient for salvation; second are passages teaching that the Bible is sufficient for obedient, victorious Christian living.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The verses following these (16-17) are exceedingly valuable in our understanding of Scripture, and they are commonly referenced in discussions of sufficiency. But Paul’s discussion about Scripture actually begins several verses back as he reminds Timothy of the Bible’s effectual power in Timothy’s own life. Paul urges Timothy to continue in the things he has learned, reminding him that he has been taught the truth from the Scriptures. And why are the Scriptures important? Because through them Timothy can be saved. The Bible is able to make him wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. Though others were involved in instructing Timothy out of the Word, it is the Word itself that saved him.
We learn something here about how the Bible leads us to salvation. First, the Bible reveals Christ the Savior. It makes us wise unto salvation by leading us to Him. Salvation is through Christ, but we must note that our relationship with Christ is founded first and foremost on the Scriptures. We don’t come to know Him through subjective spiritual experiences, but through the careful study of the Word. The Bible is the medium that brings us into relationship with Christ. To know Him, we must know His Word.
And Scripture is able to lead us to Him. As we think of Timothy’s own exposure to Scripture, we have to understand that he would not yet have had the New Testament with its bountiful records of who Christ is, what He did, and what He taught. Timothy was primarily exposed to the Old Testament, yet Paul says these Scriptures are able to lead him to saving faith in Christ. The Old Testament, though not the entirety of God’s revelation, is sufficient to save.
In fact, it is sufficient to lead the faithful student to Christ Himself. Though Christ is not drawn in full detail in the Old Testament, enough can be discerned that we know: (1) we have sinned and we need to be saved, (2) salvation comes through the death of a substitute, (3) we cannot provide a substitute that’s good enough, so God must provide the substitute, (4) God prophesied of One who would come to bear our sins as our substitute. The Old Testament is able to make us wise unto the salvation that is found in Christ.
In fact, much of the New Testament is simply exposition of Old Testament prophecies. The apostles didn’t invent new doctrine; they explained how Christ fulfilled the Old Testament. They consistently returned to the Old Testament to explain human sin, the need for redemption, the character of Christ, His substitutionary atonement, and the means by which we can receive salvation. So we understand that Scripture—even the Old Testament alone—is sufficient to lead us to Christ.
Secondly, salvation is found by faith. As Paul says to Timothy here, the Scriptures are “able to make you wise for salvation through faith.” Christ makes salvation possible for all, but it only becomes personally effectual when we receive the gospel in faith. Faith—surrender and absolute trust in God—is necessary for salvation. This, too, can be understood through the Scriptures.
Since Paul would have had the Old Testament particularly in mind when he penned these words, we ought to ask where and how the Bible teaches salvation through faith in that testament. Perhaps the most poignant example is that of Abraham, who “believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Simple belief in God saved Abraham. Though he was a great spiritual father and an exemplary moral figure, the most significant thing about him is his faith. Abraham didn’t work his way into a right standing with God. He simply believed, and God counted him righteous. Scripture lays out the means to righteousness before God—faith.
Coming back to our primary discussion, we ask whether or not 2 Timothy 3 teaches that Scripture is sufficient to save, and we conclude that it does. The Bible teaches us the essence of saving faith, and it reveals Christ to us. And, even if we have nothing but the Scriptures, we can be made wise unto salvation. All the words of God that are necessary for us to be saved are found in His Word.
James 1:18
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
James here describes the process of our salvation. He says our salvation originates in God (“of His own will”) and it includes a new birth (“brought us forth”) which comes through God’s Word (“the word of truth”). That last bit is pertinent to our discussion of sufficiency. What is the means God uses to save us? The Bible. He calls us out of our spiritual deadness into life by His Word. We are begotten—born again—by the Scriptures.
We understand that more than just the text of Scripture is involved in our salvation experience. The Spirit must also illuminate our understanding so we can comprehend and receive the gospel. But in terms of sufficiency, we’re asking whether the Bible communicates everything we need to know in order to be saved. Do we need a special revelation from the Spirit? Do we need the wisdom of philosophy? Must we consult with other sources before we know enough about the gospel to be saved? No. God needs nothing more than His Word to convict us of sin and lead us to Christ. His Word is sufficient to save.