The beliefs encoded in our Book of Confessions are wonderful expressions of the faith we have inherited. But the Book of Confessions is not the source of our beliefs. Only the Bible claims that distinction, and anything the church might create any drama or worship video it might produce, any song it might write, or confession it might recite is a faithful rendition only so long as it conforms to the Word of God, the Scriptures, our only rule of faith and practice. Many people have attempted to whittle the story down into manageable pieces, but the Bible is the full story and the authority for our confession. To illustrate: Les Misérables, the fast-paced stage musical production, opened in London in 1985. Mary had been told before seeing the touring production in San Francisco that the words and action moved very quickly and it would be a good idea to watch a movie to get familiar with the story line. She and her husband checked out a copy of the black and white 1935 Charles Laughton version because it was the shortest. The story focused tightly on the moral dilemmas of Jean Valjean and his adversary Inspector Javert. On a roll, they decided to check out a later movie, in color this time, and shot on location. They were astonished that this version highlighted the love story as an emotional epic. Now thoroughly acquainted with the basic narrative, they saw an entirely different slant in the musical production. But it made them curious: what was the real, complete story? The only way to answer that was to read Victor Hugo s 1800 page novel, and the verdict? The story is just too big to be contained in one three-hour rendition. Why do we have four gospels in the Bible, for instance? Like Les Misérables, the story of Jesus is too multi-layered and rich to be contained in one version of his life story. The Bible is a big book, because it tells a long story from the vantage point of many witnesses through biblical history. The story amazingly hangs together, despite the many contributors who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, submitted the next installment of God s unfolding plan and purposes. The gospel writers were part of this great cloud of witnesses, unveiling Jesus and making known the person and work of our Savior, that we might have life in his name (John 20:31). The Church affirmed through the process of establishing the canon of Scripture that what we have in the gospels and all of Scripture is sufficient to lead us to Christ, reliable in all it testifies about him, and unfailing in accomplishing God s purposes. 7
8 Participant s Guide Lesson 2: GOD S WORD The Essential Tenets Despite this inherent unity of purpose within the Bible, centered on Jesus Christ, the book can also be confusing and even controversial. Somewhere in the past couple of centuries the authority of Revelation was replaced in the minds of many by the authority of Reason. But when reason becomes a standard as well as a tool, clouds of moral confusion and spiritual ignorance appear. It is at this point that some dismiss the Bible as a discredited book. So just to be clear, you need to know that we don t dismiss or discredit the Scripture of the Old and New Testament. We embrace the Bible because it is the Word of God, divine in inspiration even while humans were involved in its authorship. We have no other way of knowing God s view of himself, of us, of history, or of the great calamity he came to redeem. We have no other way of knowing Jesus or what he taught or did, other than through the testimony given from the many vantage points in this book. There is something very exciting about the fact that God, in a sustained project over millennia, sought to make known what would otherwise be complete mysteries. How fortunate we are to have a God who wants to be known and to be active among us! As Moses said to the newly forming Israelites: What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). We do well to embrace the Bible in its entirety and receive it as God s precious gift of selfdisclosure, inspiration, and guidance. WARM-UP QUESTIONS BEFORE THE CLASS SESSION 1. What do your friends and co-workers think about the Bible? 2. Describe your experience of the Bible, as you read it, study it, and as you hear it preached. 3. Share a favorite portion of Scripture and tell why you like it. 4. What questions do you have about the Bible? GOT QUESTIONS? After completing the reading homework on the next page, what questions would you like to hear addressed during the class time? Write them here:
The Essential Tenets Lesson 2: GOD S WORD Participant s Guide 9 Day One: GOD S WORD, INCARNATE AND WRITTEN. Gen 1:1-31; Ps 33:4-6, Jn 1:1-3; Heb 1:1-3; Lk 24:25-27; Isa 55:11. Day Two: GOD S WORD, INSPIRED AND INSPIRING. Lk 24:44-45; II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 3:15-16; Eph 1:17-18; Heb 4:12. Day Three: GOD S WORD, GUIDING AND CONNECTING. Dt 4:5; Ps 145:4; Matt 5:17-20; Matt 7:15-27; II Pet 1:12-15. Day Four: Westminster Confession, Ch. I (6.001) Day Five: 2nd Helvetic, Ch. I (5.001). Day Six: C67, Part I, Section C, 2. The Bible (9.27)
10 Participant s Guide Lesson 2: GOD S WORD The Essential Tenets I. GOD S WORD, INCARNATE AND WRITTEN Scriptures: Genesis 1:3-24 Psalm 33:4-6 John 1:1-3 Hebrews 1:1-3 Luke 24:25-27 Isaiah 55:11 Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms SCOTS CONFESSION, CHAPTER XIX; The Authority of the Scriptures (BOC, 3.19) As we believe and confess the Scriptures of God sufficient to instruct and make perfect the man of God, so do we affirm and avow their authority to be from God, and not to depend on men or angels. We affirm, therefore, that those who say the Scriptures have no other authority save that which they have received from the Kirk [Church] are blasphemous against God and injurious to the true Kirk, which always hears and obeys the voice of her own Spouse and Pastor, but takes not upon her to be mistress over the same. SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION, CHAPTER I; Of the Holy Scripture Being the True Word of God (BOC, 5.001) CANONICAL SCRIPTURE. We believe and confess the canonical Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles of both Testaments to be the true Word of God, and to have sufficient authority of themselves, not of men. For God himself spoke to the fathers, prophets, apostles, and still speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures. WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH, CHAPTER I; Of the Holy Scripture (BOC, 6.001) 1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation; therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased. WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM (BOC, 7.001 7.002) Q1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Q2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
The Essential Tenets Lesson 2: GOD S WORD Participant s Guide 11 CONFESSION OF 1967, Part I; Section C, 2. The Bible (BOC, 9.27) The one sufficient revelation of God is Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, to whom the Holy Spirit bears unique and authoritative witness through the Holy Scriptures, which are received and obeyed as the word of God written. II. GOD S WORD, INSPIRED AND INSPIRING Scriptures: Luke 24:44-45 II Timothy 3:16f II Peter 3:15-16 Ephesians 1:17f Hebrews 4:12 Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms: SECOND HELVETIC CATECHISM, Chapter 1, Of the Holy Scripture Being the True Word of God (BOC, 5.003, 5.006, 5.007) SCRIPTURE TEACHES FULLY ALL GODLINESS. We judge, therefore, that from these Scriptures are to be derived true wisdom and godliness,... All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, etc. (II Tim. 3:16-17). INWARD ILLUMINATION DOES NOT ELIMINATE EXTERNAL PREACHING. For he that illuminates inwardly by giving men the Holy Spirit, the same one, by way of commandment, said unto his disciples, Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). And so in Philippi, Paul preached the Word outwardly to Lydia, a seller of purple goods; but the Lord inwardly opened the woman s heart (Acts 16:14)..... At the same time we recognize that God can illuminate whom and when he will, even without the external ministry, for that is in his power; but we speak of the usual way of instructing men, delivered unto us from God, both by commandment and examples. WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH, Chapter 1, Of the Holy Scripture (BOC, 6.005, 6.004) 5.... Not withstanding, our full-persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. 4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. CONFESSION OF 1967, Part I; Section C, 2. The Bible (BOC, 9.27 9.30) The one sufficient revelation of God is Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate... to whom the Holy Spirit bears unique and authoritative witness through the Holy Scriptures, which are received and obeyed as the word of God written. God s word is spoken to his church today where the Scriptures are faithfully preached and attentively read in dependence on the illumination of the Holy Spirit and with readiness to receive their truth and direction.
12 Participant s Guide Lesson 2: GOD S WORD The Essential Tenets III. GOD S WORD, GUIDING AND CONNECTING Scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:5f Psalm 145:4 Matthew 5:17-20 Matthew 7:15-27 II Peter 1:12-15 Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms: SCOTS CONFESSION, CHAPTER V; The Continuance, Increase, and Preservation of the Kirk (BOC, 3.05) We most surely believe that God preserved, instructed, multiplied, honored, adorned, and called from death to life his Kirk in all ages since Adam until the coming of Christ Jesus in the flesh.... To this same people from time to time he sent prophets, to recall them to the right way of their God.... SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION, Chapter 1 (BOC, 5.003) SCRIPTURE TEACHES FULLY ALL GODLINESS. We judge, therefore, that from these Scriptures are to be derived true wisdom and godliness, the reformation and government of churches; as also instruction in all duties of piety; and, to be short, the confirmation of doctrines, and the rejection of all errors, moreover, all exhortations according to that word of the apostle, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, etc. (II Tim. 3:16 17). Again, I am writing these instructions to you, says the apostle to Timothy, so that you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God.... NOTES FROM CLASS DISCUSSION
The Essential Tenets Lesson 2: GOD S WORD Participant s Guide 13 QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION 1. The clearest declaration of God s glory is found in His Word, both incarnate and written. What are some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that the incarnate Word teaches us about God that we can discover from no other source (John 1:1-18)? 2. What are some other treasures of wisdom and knowledge that the Word written teaches us about God that we can discover from no other source (Psalm 19:7-14)? 3. What problems are created if we claim to be followers of Jesus and yet discount or discard the Word written? 4. We affirm that the same Holy Spirit who overshadowed the virgin Mary also inspired the writing and preservation of the Scriptures. What happens to our faith if the Scriptures were not inspired and preserved in transmission from generation to generation (John 14:25-27)? 5. The Holy Spirit testifies to the authority of God s Word and illumines our hearts and minds so that we might receive both the Scriptures and Christ Himself aright. What did Paul expect from the Spirit within the ministry of writing and teaching (Ephesians 1:17, 18; 3:14-22)? 6. In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word in Bible study, preaching, or other ways? 7. We confess that God alone is Lord of the conscience, but this freedom is for the purpose of allowing us to be subject always and primarily to God s Word. How did Paul experience the work of the Spirit prompting, instructing his mind, and guiding his conduct (1 Corinthians 4:1f; 6:12f)? 8. What would you say to those who believe the Spirit has prompted them to help themselves to money or possessions that don t belong to them? 9. Jesus, anointed with the Spirit, spoke with God s authority. What was his attitude toward the Scriptures of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-20)? 10. Creeds are expressions of what Christians believe about God s Word. What benefits come from remembering that throughout the world, the generations and in various languages, Christians have affirmed both the Nicene and Apostles Creeds? 11. What can we learn by exploring creeds of the Reformed tradition that were written to expound and apply God s Word to their own place and time?
14 Participant s Guide Lesson 2: GOD S WORD The Essential Tenets