The Sufficiency of Scripture - 3

The Form of Biblical Teaching

How could the Bible be a code for human conduct without being exhaustive on how we are to behave; should we expect an authoritative source to be exhaustive on a subject?

Dr. Weeks concludes that the Bible does not subscribe to either exhaustive detail or general principles. He gives a few different examples from both the laws given on Sinai and the laws recorded in Deuteronomy. Anyone who has read the Biblical books of Exodus and Deuteronomy would talk about the massive detail. However, we also have general principles, like the Ten Commandments. There is some interaction between general and detailed laws in the commandments.

An example of interaction is, found between Exodus 20:3 and verses 22-26. The general principle is given in Ex. 20:3 what most Protestants would call the second commandment, which forbids the worship of idols. However, Israel would have no guidance in how to make sacrifices to God if that was the end of the matter. Therefore, the details are given in verses 22-26. The point is the Bible often does not restate the obvious, but does state situation where it might be uncertain if the law applies or not.

In addition, there are also cases where commandments embody a more general concern than just what is specifically stated. For example, in Deuteronomy 25:4 the command is that one should not prevent an ox threshing grain from helping itself to the fruit of its labors. Leviticus 19:13 also prohibits withholding a hired man’s wages. The concern is to allow a worker to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Paul then, in 1 Corinthians 9:6-11, uses the law on the oxen as support for a preacher of the gospel receiving compensation for his work.

It can therefore be seen that the Bible mixes general and specific laws together when needed for clarity, but this can also be extended doctrinal teaching. For example, the issue of salvation gets talked about in Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians but Christ’s incarnation receives a briefer treatment in Philippians 2. The reason quite simple, disputed doctrines receive more treatment than undisputed doctrines.

This premise can be extended to non-theological subjects where most people think the Bible says relatively little about a subject it says nothing about the subject. The question is not: does the Bible give every last detail in science/history/ethics, etc? The real question is: does the Bible say anything, whether in general or in detail, relevant to science/history/ethics, etc?

To ask this question is to answer it, because the textbook argument would not need to be asked if there were no Biblical passages pertaining to these disciplines. However, the ability to point them out does not itself determine their meaning or importance. All it means is that we cannot refuse to consider them.

The Sufficiency of Scripture - 2

Authority and Exhaustiveness

How would anybody go about deciding if the Bible is authoritative in any area of life? Does not matter what it is - religious, ethics, science, history, etc. - how would you go about determining if you should let the Bible inform your view on anything? Dr. Weeks lists two different ways of going about what for some people is a very easy question and for others is quite a daunting task. Here they are:

1. Does the Bible claim authority in that area?
2. Does the Bible have the character of an authoritative source in that area?

We have another problem: the Bible itself may not even employ the same modern distinctions which are mind has grown up hearing for so long we do not know how to even question them. The Bible's authority claims tend be general. For example, Paul writes to Timothy that it is given to furnish a man for "every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17). We look at that and say, "Well Paul meant every good religious work."

What if, just for arguments sake we suppose the “good works” of Paul are broader than the narrower area of modern “religion”? In considering this line of thought we come, to the second question mentioned earlier.

Is the Bible is an authoritative source in science. Before discount it as one we need to ask what in our modern times counts as authoritative source in science. The answer would have to be a science textbook. Does the Bible contain all the laws and facts of physics? No, but what is our standard for a good textbook on physics? We would expect absolute accuracy and exhaustive detail. Any book that lacks some fact or detail would not be the final authority in physics. Therefore, we are demanding exhaustiveness to be a standard of authority.

Many who are concerned with the Bible overlapping into areas where it does not quite measure up are, however, eager to maintain that the Bible is their religious authority. The problem is the Bible is not exhaustive in matters of religion either. There are many religious questions which have no precise and detailed answer. Just think of all the controversies which have divided Christians over the centuries. So, on religious and ethical questions the Bible cannot be an authority either if we are looking for exhaustive detail.

If the Bible is not exhaustive even in religion and ethics, then how could it operate as a code for human conduct? This question also raises another question of whether we are right in expecting an authoritative source to say the last word on every subject.

The Sufficiency of Scripture - 1

Introduction

Dr. Weeks says that this book is written as a response to new elements in the ongoing discussions about the Bible. In the past he says lines were drawn between those who affirmed that the Bible was infallible and those who denied infallibility. The point of infallibility didn't mater, historical or doctrinal questions were all the same.

Now the two sides have become less easy to define. Dr. Weeks believes the shift is still in progress and so it is unwise to attempt to categorize the parties. However, he does note two tendencies:

1. Restrict the area of Biblical infallibility - this tendency manifests itself as attempts to limit the Bible to religious question, or as proponents of this view would put in the heart of gospel. It is expressed by merely saying the Bible is not a science textbook because its focus is on our salvation through Christ. Or that the historical events described in Bible did not necessarily happen as recorded, but that is irrelevant to the gospel.
2. As a result of responses like these the old evangelical liberal distinction is out of date, because the person who feel free to question the infallibility of Bible in science or history, might still claim a concern to bring men to see the their need of Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Therefore, it is Dr. Weeks aim to take up and examine the issues and arguments in this debate. The book has two parts, part one the theological conviction and part two will be the practical outworking on issue which have become interwoven with the question of the authority and accuracy of Scripture.

The Sufficiency of Scripture by Noel Weeks

I found this book to be a great resource on issues having to deal with how to understand the Bible in today's world. Dr. Noel Weeks knows what it really means for the Scriptures to be in the words of Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:16,17), ". . . inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Dr. Weeks not only concisely shows the reader what this means today, but he applies it to issues which are very debatable in the church and outside the church.

What I'm going to do is summarize Dr. Weeks main points in his chapters. I will start by typing out his table of contents. If this book looks interesting you can purchase it through Amazon.com

Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART ONE: BASIC ISSUES

1. Authority and Exhaustiveness
2. The Form of Biblical Teaching
3. General and Special Revelation
4. Providence and Scripture
5. The Bible and Technical Precision
6. Imprecision and Error
7. The History of Revelation
8. The Perfect Translation
9. Words and Meanings
10. The Bible and the Historian
11. Words and Meanings Again
12. The Human Element in Scripture
13. Contextualization
14. The Hermeneutical Circle
15. The Redemptive Focus of Scripture

PART TWO: POINTS OF CONTENTION
Introduction

16. The Creation Account
17. The Interpretation of Prophecy
18. Women in Teaching/Ruling Offices in the Church
19. Slavery
20. The Worship and Government of the Church
21. The Scripture and 'Advances' in Psychology
22. 'Rabbinic' Exegesis in the New Testament
23. Pseudepigraphy
24. Proving the Bible
25. Freedom and Honesty
26. The Political and Social Task of the Church
27. Bible Translation

Conclusion
Index

I will start with the first introduction at another time

A really great list of God's Work

I was looking through the Reformation Theology blog and found a really good list by Nathan Pitchford titled, "Doctrines of Grace - Categorized Scripture List." Check it out with a Bible handy and prepare to be amazed at what God has done through the work of Jesus Christ!

I also want to note that this is a systematic theology and what that means is only that throughout history as God has progressively revealed more about Himself we (Christians) can look at the whole of Scripture and piece together what's already in the text. It does not mean we come up with an idea of what God should be like and find sources that support that belief.

Happy reading!

Reason for being

The first order of this blog is to state it's purpose. My chief reason is to create a catalog of my different thoughts and ideas. This blog is primarily created for selfish reasons. I am becoming more and more aware over time that I'm forgetting things that I learn or hear about that I think are useful and so rather than lose this information to the great abyss of my mind I would rather try to collect it in a place where I will have easy access to it and where it might be of some use to others.

Given the above, what type of content will I write about? From the outset at least, I plan to write about my continuing studies with routers, switches, anything related to wireless networking and whatever else I'm learning about dealing with computer networks. For example, one topic I'll probably frequently write about is how easy it's to crack WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). However, I've still got quite a lot to learn, so I won't know everything. The format will probably be questions followed by answers, which will most likely include links, to various Windows/Cisco problems I'm involved with in class and at home at any given time.

My interests do not just lie in computers I am also a Christian and therefore I will most certainly write about whatever I'm reading, listening to, or thinking about from that perspective. I also have a brother, a sister, and a father who have different callings in life and so attempt to keep up with whatever those different real or at this point theoretical vocations are. Needless to say God provides me with quite a bit of writing material!

A lot of what I'll be doing is referencing articles or books, because I read more frequently than I type. Another habit that influences the preceding sentence is that I enjoy thoroughly understanding an issue then I proceed to tell others what I found. As a result, when I do type it tends to be a bit longer than I thought when I started and probably can come across as overkill. With this understanding in mind I’ll end my first post.