By Arthur Kettelhut
The sufficiency of scripture is the understanding and knowledge that we need to receive salvation through Christ and the scriptures. DeYoung offers that the scriptures versus the Son are a false dichotomy; they must receive understanding together.[1] We do not require any other prophet or intermediary to provide our minds with a path to God. As we find in Hebrews 1:1-2, “Long ago, at many times God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, but by these last days he speaks to us by his Son.” DeYoung offers that while we have a good understanding of the fullness piece since Christ is so clearly seen in the Old Testament; we must also emphasize the importance of the finality of Christ’s work.[2]
If we offer that any additional insight is necessary for the fullness and sufficiency of scripture and Jesus, we cast doubt on the foundation of Christianity. So vital is the sacrifice of Christ for our sins; we must accept the synergy of the Word and Christ as the ultimate act of our redemption. Through redemption and revelation, we receive saving; “from the exodus, to the return from exile, to the cross itself.”[3] The resurrection and salvation that Christ offers stand with the scriptures as a complete sufficient revelation. The Bible doesn’t provide all knowledge that humanity should have, but provides God’s authoritative instructions.
God’s Revelation
His creation (general revelation) and providence gives God’s methods of revelation and insights into his nature to us. Similarly, in Romans 1:19-20, we read that “For what we can know about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, are known.” All of Christian theology relies on the scripture’s God-breathed testimony to the redemptive works of Jesus Christ. The children of God receive an assurance in the completeness of scripture by the words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where we find that the word provides us all we need for every good work. While God’s revelation via nature and doesn’t give us salvation, “it plays an essential role in the gospel’s preaching. It sets forth clearly the basis on which God will judge our sin, and it tells us why we need a Savior.[4] The result is the proficiency of Scripture.
The Sufficiency of Scripture Summary
In summary, I agree with DeYoung’s assessment that if we admit or argue that there could be more to scripture. We accept the saving work of Christ is unfinished. Through general and special revelation, along with Jesus’ resurrection and atonement. We have adequate and complete knowledge of what God expects of us all. We can clearly know that God desires a relationship with his human creations from the book of Genesis (Gen. 12:2 ESV). Christ and Scripture define how we can take part in our relationship with God.
See also: The Great Resignation
[1] Kevin DeYoung, Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me. )Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), 49
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] John Frame, “General Revelation in Creation,” in Lexham Survey of Theology, ed. Mark Ward et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018).
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