Clarity of Scripture
Scripture is sufficiently clear in its essential teachings.
This doctrine distinguishes traditions but is not a boundary of orthodoxy.
What the traditions say
Luther championed the clarity of Scripture against Rome's claim that only the Magisterium could interpret it. The external clarity of the gospel message is accessible to all.
The perspicuity of Scripture: its essential teachings are sufficiently clear that any literate person can understand the way of salvation without a priestly mediator.
Scripture is not self-interpreting. While clear on basics, its deeper meaning requires the Church's authoritative interpretation to prevent error.
Scripture is clear within the context of Holy Tradition and liturgical reading. Private interpretation apart from the Church's consensus is unreliable.
Who binds this (creedal)
Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.
Key scriptures
- 1John 5:13 — These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- 2Pet 1:19 — We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
- 2Pet 3:16 — As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
- 2Tim 3:15 — And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Acts 17:11 — These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
- Deut 30:11 — For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
- Heb 5:12 — For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
- Isa 8:20 — To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
- John 20:31 — But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
- Luke 10:21 — In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
- Matt 11:25 — At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Ps 119:105 — Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Ps 119:130 — The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
- Rev 1:3 — Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
- Rom 10:14 — How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
What the confessions say
Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.
- Reformed Belgic Confession Art7 — The Sufficiency of Scripture
- Reformed Baptist 1689 London Baptist Confession 1.7 — Of the Holy Scriptures
- Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith 1.7 — Of the Holy Scripture
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion Article 6 — Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation
- Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 11 — Of Confession
- Roman Catholic Council of Trent (Canons) On the Sacraments In General · Canon 5 — On the Sacraments In General
The Church Fathers
The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.
And Trypho said, "Prove this; for, as you see, the day advances, and we are not prepared for such perilous replies; since never yet have we heard any man investigating, or searching into, or proving these matters; nor would we have tolerated your conversation, had you not referred everything to the Scriptures: for you are very zealous…
Therefore did the Lord also say to His disciples after the resurrection, "O thoughtless ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" And again does He say to them: "These are the words which I spoke unto you while I was yet with you,…
Jesus therefore, rejoicing in the spirit, said: "I thank Thee, O Father, God of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes;" the Master and Teacher applying the name babes to us, who are readier to embrace salvation than the wise in the world, who, thinking themselves…
Who shall be invoked as the Lord of heaven, that does not first show Himself to have been the maker thereof? For He says, "I thank thee, (O Father, )and own Thee, Lord of heaven, because those things which had been hidden from the wise and prudent, Thou has revealed unto babes." What things are these? And whose? And by whom hidden? And…
"How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Plainly in these words he says this: by the words "How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed?" he taught that what he had set down above as spoken…
More strength will be given you, and the intelligence of the heart will be effected more and more, as you examine more fully the Scriptures, old and new, and read through the complete volumes of the spiritual books. For now we have filled a small measure from the divine fountains, which in the meantime we would send to you. You will be…