Authority of Scripture
Scripture is authoritative for faith and practice.
This doctrine defines Christian orthodoxy. Denial places one outside the historic faith.
What the traditions say
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978) is the definitive evangelical articulation: Scripture is inerrant in all it affirms.
Scripture is the norma normans (the norm that norms all other norms). Confessions are authoritative only insofar as they faithfully expound Scripture.
The Fathers treated Scripture as divinely authoritative, though always read within the Rule of Faith and the Church's living tradition.
Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone is the final authority. The Westminster Confession I.1: "The whole counsel of God...is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture."
Scripture is authoritative but not alone — it must be interpreted within Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium. Dei Verbum (Vatican II) affirms Scripture's authority within this framework.
Scripture is the supreme written witness but cannot be separated from the Holy Tradition in which it lives and breathes. The Church precedes and interprets the text.
Scripture has historical and literary authority as an ancient text but not divine authority. It is studied with the same critical tools as any other ancient literature.
Who binds this (creedal)
Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.
Key scriptures
- 1Cor 2:13 — Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
- 1Thess 2:13 — For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
- 2Pet 1:21 — For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
- 2Tim 3:16 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Deut 8:3 — And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
- Eph 6:17 — And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- Heb 4:12 — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- Isa 40:8 — The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
- John 10:35 — If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
- Josh 1:8 — This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
- Matt 4:4 — But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- Prov 30:5 — Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
- Ps 119:105 — Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Rom 15:4 — For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
What the confessions say
Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.
- Reformed Baptist 1689 London Baptist Confession 1.4 — Of the Holy Scriptures
- Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith 1.4 — Of the Holy Scripture
- Reformed Belgic Confession Art5 — The Authority of Scripture
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion Article 20 — Of the Authority of the Church
- Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 28 — Of Ecclesiastical Power
- Roman Catholic Council of Trent (Decrees) On the Eucharist · Chapter III — On the excellency of the most holy Eucharist over the rest of the Sacraments
The Church Fathers
The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.
One who possesses the Word, who is almighty God, needs nothing and never lacks any of the things he desires, for the Word is an infinite possession and the source of all our wealth. However, someone may object and insist that he has often seen the just in need of food. This is rare and happens only where no one else is just. Besides,…
Otherwise, how vain that God should invite men to obedience by the fruits of the field and the elements of this life, when He dispenses these to even irreligious men and blasphemers; on a general condition once for all made to man, "sending rain on the good and on the evil, and making His sun to shine on the just and on the unjust!"…
For as the blessed prophets were made, so to speak, eyes for us, they foresaw through faith the mysteries of the word, and became ministers of these things also to succeeding generations, not only reporting the past, but also announcing I the present and the future, so that the prophet might not appear to be one only for the time…
And this, too, we urge you all to do, so that no doubt or questioning of these things may arise in later times; "for whatsoever things were written, were written for our learning."
For whatever things were written, were written for our instruction. This is like what he himself says elsewhere: But they were written for our sakes, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. But if it is asked in what way the things that were written were written for our sakes, see that it was for our sakes that it was written: You…
Do not, therefore, lose courage on account of the schemes and slanders of the beast, but bravely prepare for the battle, armed with the helmet of salvation,