The Authority of the Bible

Adapted from the Bible Doctrine

by Wayne Grudem

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

1. This is what the Bible claims for itself.– “Thus says the Lord” phrase

• Appears hundreds of times in the Old Testament• It is like an edict of a king “Thus says the king”.• An edict like this cannot be disobeyed.• When the prophets say this, they are claiming to

be messengers of God

• Every word a prophet says must come from God or he will be a false prophet.– Deuteronomy 18:18-20– Jeremiah 1:9– Jeremiah 14:14

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

• God often speaks through prophets. – Jeremiah 37:2

• Therefore to disbelieve or disobey a prophet is to disbelieve or disobey God too.– Deuteronomy 18:19

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

• Within the Old Testament we can find God’s own Words.– Exodus 24:7– Deuteronomy 31:24-26– Joshua 24:26

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

• The New Testament indicates that the all of the Old Testament are God’s words.– 2 Timothy 3:16– 2 Peter 1:21

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

What about the New Testament?

• Does the bible affirm that the NT is scripture as well?– 2 Peter 3:15-16– 1 Timothy 5:18

• First part came from Deuteronomy 25:4• 2nd came from Luke 10:7 (Paul was saying that

Jesus’ words are Scriptures)

2. We are convinced of the Bible’s claims to be God’s words as we read the Bible.

– Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts and assures us that it is indeed God speaking to us.

– John 10:27

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

3. Other evidence is useful but not finally convincing.– ex. Historically accurate, internally consistent,

etc.– What is convincing is the inward work of the

Holy Spirit.

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

4. The words of Scripture are self-attesting.– They cannot be proved as God’s words by

appealing to any other higher authority.• Science, logic, philosophy• God’s word is the final authority!

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

5. Objection: This is a circular argument.- Yes but it does not make it invalid.- In the end it proves to be the most reliable in

actual real life situations unlike other religious books.

- We must have the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible since sin has distorted or view of God and creation.

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

6. This does not imply dictation from God as the sole means of communication.– “When we say that all the words of the Bible

are God’s words, we are talking about the result of the process of bringing Scripture into existence.” (Grudem)

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

• Example Processes– Dictation– “In the past God spoke to our forefathers

through the prophets at many times and in various ways” (Heb 1:1)

– Historical Research: Book of Luke– Dreams, Visions – God also takes into account the experiences,

styles, skills and personalities of the authors.

All the Words in Scripture Are God’s Words

Therefore, to Disbelieve or Disobey Any Word of Scripture Is to Disbelieve

or Disobey God

• Jesus rebukes His disciples for not believing Scriptures (Luke 24:25)

• Disciples words are to be (John 15:20)

God delights in those who trembles at His word!

• Has not my hand made all these things,        and so they came into being?"        declares the LORD.        "This is the one I esteem:        he who is humble and contrite in spirit,

       and trembles at my word. (Isaiah

66:2)