Intro to What is Scripturalism

Scripturalism as the Bible Alone as the Word of God

This is David Reese with Puritan Scripturalist Church. What is Scripturalism? Scripturalism is the doctrine that the Bible alone is the Word of God, and as such, it is the sole source of truth. It is the only authority in the Church, and the only rule for faith and life.

2 Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17 say,. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Colossians 2, verse 3 says,. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. For the sake of clarity, we're going to define some terms. Epistemology. Epistemology is the doctrine of knowledge, or the study of knowledge.

It answers basic questions like, How do you know? Or, What is truth?

Knowledge, Logic, and the Nature of Truth

Knowledge.

Knowledge is true, justified belief.

Logical.

It doesn't violate the three basic laws of logic. It fits together as a system. We said epistemology is the study of knowledge, and it answers basic questions like, What is truth, and how do you know?

Let's start with, what is truth? Truth is propositional. A proposition is the meaning of a declarative sentence. Only declarative sentences can be true or false. Truth is an attribute of propositions.

Truth is rational. It coheres with the laws of logic. The three fundamental laws of logic are the law of identity, contradiction, and the excluded middle. Truth is knowable. At least some truth is not only possible to know, but necessary.

Truth is universal.

Truth is the same for all people, in all places, at all times. Truth is eternal. Truth exists in the mind of God, and it does not change. Truth is what God thinks. The epistemology of the Bible, the way that God makes it so that man can know truth, is called scripturalism.

Propositional Revelation and the Completion of Scripture

Remember, scripturalism is the idea that the Bible alone is the word of God written. God has given us his thoughts in propositional revelation. The words of God communicate truth from his mind to the minds of his people.

God is not a God of confusion. God communicates in order that we might understand. The scriptures are the word of God written. His words are written to be preserved. And when the last apostle laid down his pen, the revelation was complete.

There is no new revelation. Christ appealed to what was written. After Christ was baptized, he had just heard God the Father speak from the clouds. A dove came down and descended upon him, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

And then he went into the desert and was tempted by Satan. He didn't appeal to what he heard or what he saw. He didn't appeal to miracles. He appealed to what was written. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And in the scriptures, we have the mind of Christ. The Bible provides a systematic philosophy. The truth that God intends to communicate to you is there. The Bible teaches us what truth is and how we can know it.

Scripture as the Source of Life, Morality, and Wisdom

The Bible teaches us the purpose of life. It teaches us about God and man and creation. The Bible teaches us about how we can be joyful, what is right and what is wrong. It teaches us about obtaining the favor of God.

It teaches us about his justice and his mercy. The whole of scripture fits together to the glory of God. Search the scriptures diligently. Compare what has been said here to the scriptures. Sola Deo Gloria.

Don't stop here.

Dig deeper.