From the historical perspective it can be said that for two thousand years the Christian church has agreed that the Bible is completely trustworthy; it is infallible or inerrant. (Harold Lindsell, The Battle for The Bible, p.19).
Part 1
The Doctrine of Scripture is a 'watershed' issue. Abandon this premise and you have embarked on a slippery slope slide into the abyss of apostasy. The denial of this premise is seldom expressed as a transparent declaration. Rather, it is propagated using the language of appearance. Subtle but lethal accommodations to an authority that arises from the culture rather than the text. Usually, this is done under the guise of 'Scholarship'. This posture leads ultimately to the denial of Biblical Authority.
I would also point out that when there is a departure from historic orthodoxy there is never any exegetical substance provided, only cultural pressure or opinion. This observation almost always applies.
Part 2
Biblical Authority is much more than a declaration or a doctrinal statement that one claims to affirm. I recently read an article by an individual who would claim to believe in Biblical Authority. However, in the article the author challenges the orthodox position on homosexuality and gender issues in leadership roles within the church. When such departures are cited the usual result is to charge those who question such postures with 'witch hunting' or worse.
Biblical Authority means that each and every issue related to ministry and the church is subject to exegetical scrutiny. Cultural trends often dictate ministry profiles. The Evangelical Church in America languishes in many instances under the tyranny of subjection to The 'By-Laws', The "Constitution' or the ultimate 'Roberts Rules of Order'. Many assemblies have a resident expert in Roberts. They know little or nothing about the content of Scripture but they can cite an infinite number of parlimentary nuances from Roberts. Their objective is almost always to prevent, postpone or control, never to enable and expand ministry horizons.
Biblical Authority means that we submit in humble and joyful surrender to the clear and unambiguous declarations of the text of Scripture and seek to obey all that Jesus has commanded. Culture changes. The church needs to modify ministry in legitimate and appropriate ways. However, the text of Scripture is forever settled in heaven. The text never changes. Ministry must harmonize with the expressions of the text as derived from orthodox and precise exegesis. This and this alone postures the church as Healthy, Effective and thriving in making disciples fully formed in the image of Christ.
I call my readers to examine church history. Identify the high water marks that exhibit God's blessing, periods in which the church flourished and Christ was honored. Those periods are always marked by a high view of Scripture as the infallible Word of God that provides the parameters and guidelines for ministry. cf.Psalm 119
Part 1
The Doctrine of Scripture is a 'watershed' issue. Abandon this premise and you have embarked on a slippery slope slide into the abyss of apostasy. The denial of this premise is seldom expressed as a transparent declaration. Rather, it is propagated using the language of appearance. Subtle but lethal accommodations to an authority that arises from the culture rather than the text. Usually, this is done under the guise of 'Scholarship'. This posture leads ultimately to the denial of Biblical Authority.
I would also point out that when there is a departure from historic orthodoxy there is never any exegetical substance provided, only cultural pressure or opinion. This observation almost always applies.
Part 2
Biblical Authority is much more than a declaration or a doctrinal statement that one claims to affirm. I recently read an article by an individual who would claim to believe in Biblical Authority. However, in the article the author challenges the orthodox position on homosexuality and gender issues in leadership roles within the church. When such departures are cited the usual result is to charge those who question such postures with 'witch hunting' or worse.
Biblical Authority means that each and every issue related to ministry and the church is subject to exegetical scrutiny. Cultural trends often dictate ministry profiles. The Evangelical Church in America languishes in many instances under the tyranny of subjection to The 'By-Laws', The "Constitution' or the ultimate 'Roberts Rules of Order'. Many assemblies have a resident expert in Roberts. They know little or nothing about the content of Scripture but they can cite an infinite number of parlimentary nuances from Roberts. Their objective is almost always to prevent, postpone or control, never to enable and expand ministry horizons.
Biblical Authority means that we submit in humble and joyful surrender to the clear and unambiguous declarations of the text of Scripture and seek to obey all that Jesus has commanded. Culture changes. The church needs to modify ministry in legitimate and appropriate ways. However, the text of Scripture is forever settled in heaven. The text never changes. Ministry must harmonize with the expressions of the text as derived from orthodox and precise exegesis. This and this alone postures the church as Healthy, Effective and thriving in making disciples fully formed in the image of Christ.
I call my readers to examine church history. Identify the high water marks that exhibit God's blessing, periods in which the church flourished and Christ was honored. Those periods are always marked by a high view of Scripture as the infallible Word of God that provides the parameters and guidelines for ministry. cf.Psalm 119
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