systematic test 2

authority of scripture meaning

all the words in Scripture of God’s Words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God

“thus says the Lord”

used by prophets over 480 times in OT

how did God choose to speak

to His people through designated prophets

what is Scripture

written record of what God has said and done for His people

what was Scripture written for

written for our instruction, encouragement, and hope (Romans 15:4)

God chosen prophets

God has chosen prophets, not self-appointed (Deut. 18:15-22)

How does God hold us accountable

for not receiving the words He gives through the prophets

why were prophets hesitant to speak sometimes

if someone claimed to speak for God but God hasn’t given them His word, that person put to death

Jesus wilderness temptation

Jesus appealed to authorityy of Scripture to defeat satan

what was significant about Jesus and Pharisees

Jesus had never disagreement or confrontation with Pharisees on what qualified as Scripture; they never debated what should or shouldn’t be held as God’s word

what’s significant about Jesus and Pharisees agreeing about Scripture

Jesus clearly corrected Pharisees in their misunderstandings and wrong practices

Jesus promise about Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit would guide disciples to remember His Words, strong evidence we can trust the words of Scripture

inerrancy of Scripture quote

The scriptures possess the quality of freedom from error. In all their teachings they are in perfect accord with the truth

— Moody Handbook of theology

where does inerrancy extend

extends only to original manuscripts

what does suggesting there are errors in Scripture mean

suggesting there are errors in Scripture impugns the character of God by implying that He can make a mistake

Ryrie’s syllogism

God is true (Rom. 3:4) the Scripture were breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16), therefore Scripture are true

qualifications of inerrancy

1. allows for variety of style

2. allows for a variety in details explaining the same event (linguistic problems in modern translations, varied perspectives, etc)

3. allows for problem passages (antiquity of Biblical languages, undiscovered archaeological corroborations, etc)

4. does demand the account not teach error or contradiction

problems with denying inerrancy

1. if we deny, we begin to wonder if we can really trust God in anything He says. Will affect our ability to trust God at His word and trust Him completely or obey Him fully with rest of Scripture

2. we essentially make our own human minds a higher standard of truth than God’s Word itself

3. we must also say that the Bible is wrong not only in minor details but in some of its doctrine as well

term “canon”

• used to describe inspired books which make up Bible

• from Greek word kanon meaning measuring rod

religious councils and canon

councils approved the canon never had power to cause books to be inspired, but were empowered by God to determine which books were inspired

council of Jamnia

• 90 AD

• generally considered occasion when OT canon publicly recognized

specific tests to determine OT canonicity

1. did book indicate divine authorship?

2. did it reflect God speaking through mediator?

3. was the author a spokesman for God or a prophet?

4. was book historically accurate?

5. did it reflect a record of actual facts?

6. how was book received by the Jews?

evidence about NT writings

evidence strong that early NT writings were being scrutinized while there were eyewitnesses still available to verify what was true

early church practice of public reading of apostolic letters

indicates the canonizing process began almost immediately

by end of 1st century…

all 27 NT books had been written and received by churches

council of hippo

• 393 AD

• recognized all 27 books

council of carthage

• 397 AD

• affirmed the books

specific tests to determine NT canonicicty

1. apostolicity - was author an apostle or associated?

2. acceptance - reception by church at large

3. content - consistent in doctrine with that accepted as orthodox teaching?

4. inspiration - did book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values one would expect of a work done by the Holy Spirit?