Sufficiency of Scripture.
Many would affirm biblical inerrancy to be considered orthodox, yet they reject the Bible's sufficiency. This seems to be a prevailing problem in parts of the visible church and evangelicalism today.
Scripture tells us all we need to know about God and His saving work in Christ to be reconciled to Him and live a godly life. As the apostle Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). It means we don’t need any other source of special revelation for faith and life besides the Bible.
"The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God and the government of the Church common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. " - Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6
Sufficiency of Scripture isn’t meant to neglect other sources of truth as aids in our understanding and application of Scripture. It means no other extrabiblical sources are superior to the Bible. We also do not use sources that stand in opposition to the Bible.
Christians claim they believe in the sufficiency of Scripture; however, they often live as if they don’t. There are many subtle and shaded ways a lack of belief in the sufficiency of Scripture emerges.
Saying, “God told me,” claiming to receive visions and messages from God.
Saying it’s your testimony or the compelling life you lead that will lead people to believe in Christ. One’s personal testimony may be meaningful to another, but it’s not the gospel. Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ - preached clearly without a nuanced, third-wayism to try to pretty up God’s Word to come as close to culture as possible as Tim Keller and his followers like to do.
Teaching, preaching, or supporting the false teaching of Critical Race Theory indicates that the person or organization lacks a belief in the sufficiency of Scripture. Pastors who have jumped on the CRT bandwagon seeking cultural relevance by creating “repentance projects & peace and justice” websites do not believe God’s Word is sufficient.
There’s an actual word that describes the clarity of Scripture - Perspicuity, which is a word that means “clarity,” “clearness,” or “understandability.” When we talk about the Perspicuity of Scripture, we’re talking about the idea that God’s Word is clear about things that must be understood and obeyed. Learn more about the Perspicuity of Scripture here.
Psalm 19 on Scripture’s Sufficiency
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
Defining Our Terms by Kevin Gardner (article) - The doctrine of Scripture is foundational to the Christian faith. But there is more to say about Scripture than simply, “The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.” If you don’t grasp what the Bible is and how it came to be, you’ll never fully grasp its meaning. Since the meaning of the Bible is vitally important to our faith and life, we will here briefly define a few key terms that relate to the doctrine of Scripture as the study of God’s Word written.
Unmasking Satan’s Motive by Chip Thornton (article) - an article journeying through history to show how the sufficiency of scripture has been attacked
Basics of the Reformed Faith: The Sufficiency of Scripture by Kim Riddlebarger (article)
Where Is the Power of God? R.C. Sproul (article)
Sufficiency of Scripture and a Biblical Worldview by Virgil Walker (video)
Sufficiency of Scripture and Apologetics by James White (video)
The Source and Sufficiency of Scripture by Josh Buice (article)
Scripture's Sufficiency by Rev Geoff Thomas (sermon video + MP4)
The Sufficiency of Scripture by Grace Church (article)
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy by Ligonier Ministries (article) - The authority of Scripture is a vital issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Recognition of the Holy Scripture's total truth and trustworthiness is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority.
The Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy - (pdf download of entire statement)
This episode was recorded before a live audience at the Grace to You 2019 Truth Matters conference. The theme was The Sufficiency of Scripture. In keeping with that theme, Darrell and Virgil discuss The Sufficiency of Scripture Against Black Liberation Theology. Learn more about Critical Race Theory here.
Nathaniel Jolly discusses the importance of the Sufficiency of Scripture.
Costi Hinn explains why the Bible is sufficient for everything we need to know God and live a Christian life. While many people are looking for wisdom outside of the Bible or chasing a new "word from the Lord," a believer only needs to look to Scripture for divine revelation from God.
Is the Bible all we need to live life well? Barry Cooper explains that Scripture tells us everything we must believe to be saved and what we must do to please God.
When We Understand the Text (WWUTT)
WWUTT is committed to teaching sound doctrine and exposing the faulty with podcasts and videos featuring the teaching of Pastor Gabriel Hughes. These short videos aptly explain why “god told me,” “god gave me a vision,” and “I had a visit from god” are all false teachings. See more about False Teachers here.
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