THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
2004
LESSON SEVEN

I. The Properties of Holy Scripture (cont’d)

The Perfection, or Sufficiency, of Holy Scripture (p. 317, et.seq.)

A. “Moderns” also deny this

1. Consistent with prior views discussed.

2. If Scripture is not book where line between truth and error can be drawn, certainly can not be judge between the two.

B. Definition of Sufficiency of Scripture

1. According to its own definition.

2. Consists in its teaching everything that men must know to obtain salvation.

C. To elaborate:

1. It does not treat everything a man can know.

a. e.g. things re: sphere of earthly or evil life.

b. Is not “a general encyclopedia of human knowledge.”

c. Is not a textbook of agriculture, architecture or medical science.

d. Is not a manual of history and geography.

e. Natural reason teaches these.

f. But, when Scripture incidentally treats a scientific subject, it is always right, whatever science may say.

(1) e.g. history.

(2) e.g. “wine is always poison”.

2. The Scriptures do not reveal all divine matters.

a. 1Co 13:12.

b. Ro 11:33,34.

c. Is not absolute in sense of being “a logical, complete system”.

3. But Scripture teaches perfectly whatever we need to know to obtain eternal life.

a. 2Ti 3:15.

b. Sufficient source of knowledge for:

(1) Christians, in general.

(2) But also for the teacher of the Church, who is perfect through Scripture.

(a) is thoroughly furnished

(b) is fully equipped for his duty.

(d) such that he is strictly commanded to continue in the words of Christ.

(3) Jn 17:20.

(4) Jn 8:31,32.

(5) 1Ti 6:3,4a.

(6) 2Ti 1:13,14.

(7) Ro 16:17.

(8) Gal 1:6-9.

c. Scriptures need no supplementation with any outside material, whether:

(1) tradition.

(2) church decrees.

(3) Pope.

(4) experience of the theologian.

(5) science, etc.

D. Conclusion

1. To give up the perfection or sufficiency of Scripture, is to give up the Scripture principle.

2. If a “deficiency” requires an outside source, the Church is eo ipso (“in itself”) moved off its foundation, the Word of the Apostles and Prophets.

3. Would leave only the Ego of the alleged supplementors.

4. Mt 17:5.

5. Must not let anyone lead us away from Scripture.