THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
2004
LESSON EIGHT
The Perspicuity of Holy Scripture (p. 319 et.seq.)
A. “Moderns” and others.
1. Per Rome: Scripture becomes clear through the Pope.
2. Per “enthusiasts”: it is illumined by the “inner light” which is communicated immediately.
3. Per “moderns”: it is “divine-human” in sense that Scripture presents a mixture of truth and error, and the “experience” of the theologian is necessary to thus clarify Scripture.
4. All these have in common that it is man who must illumine Scripture.
B. Scripture teaches:
1. Not men illumine Scripture, but Scripture illumines men.
2. Ps 119:105.
C. The perspicuity of Scripture:
1. Consists in this: That is presents, in language that can be understood by all, whatever men must know to be saved.
2. Elaboration:
a. This perspicuity is presupposed, as a matter of course, since all Christians are to read it, are to believe on the basis of Scripture and to judge truth and error on the same basis.
(1) Lk 16:29 (re O.T.)
(2) Jn 5:39 (see imperative)
(3) Ac 17:11.
(4) Col 4:16.
b. Not only presupposed as self-evident, but taught very expressly.
(1) Scripture protests against ever regarding Scriptures as an obscure book.
(2) 2Pe 1:19.
(3) Ps 119:105 (above).
(4) Ps 19:7.
(5) 2Ti 3:14,15 (v 15a)
(6) 1Jn 2:12,13.
D. For whom the clear Scriptures are an obscure book.
1. For all those to whom the language of Scripture is altogether unknown or at least unfamiliar.
a. e.g. German Bible for English readers.
b. But also, it is necessary that we become accustomed to Bible’s language by diligent study (to know its language and to train oneself in the languages.)
c. Ps 1:2.
d. Dt 6:6-9.
e. Col 3:16.
2. Scripture expressly says that its Word remains hidden to those who is their heart maintain a hostile attitude toward the Scriptures.
a. Mt 11:25.
b. 2Co 4:3,4.
c. Is 6:9,10.
3. Scripture remains dark also to those whose prejudices against certain Scripture doctrines keeps them from even externally taking note of the respective words of Scripture.
a. e.g. Lord’s Supper.
b. E.g. pasting over the words of Scripture a human interpretation. (e.g. foreknowledge vs. election).
E. Objections raised against the perspicuity of Scripture.
1. “If the Scriptures were clear, the office of the public ministry would be superfluous.”
a. Answer: One does not exclude the other.
b. Office is a divine ordinance.
c. We can judge on basis of Scripture whether pastors are true or false prophets.
(1) Mt 7:15.
(2) Ro 16:17.
d. Ministry’s divine institution alongside the clear Scripture shows how earnestly God is concerned about our salvation.
(1) Jn 5:39 (again).
(2) Heb 13:17.
(3) Eze 3:18.
2. “The great disagreement among theologians in the interpretation of the words of Scripture”.
a. Not caused by obscurity of Scripture, but by departure from the Word of Scripture.
b. Substitution of the Word with their own thoughts.
c. Jn 8:31,32.
d. 1Ti 6:3,4a.
3. Especially the occurrence of dark difficult passages in Scripture has been urged against the perspicuity of Scripture.
a. Some passages are obscure.
b. But, these obscure passages either do not pertain directly to the Christian doctrine, or, if they do, the same matter is elsewhere in Scripture set forth clearly and explicitly.
c. Axiom: All Christian doctrines are revealed in passages that need no explanation whatsoever.
d. The purpose of obscure passages: Prevents loathing (clearness appeases the hunger).
e. Luther” “If you cannot understand the obscure, then stay with the clear.” (Quoted, p. 324).
4. “Scripture contains matters that are incomprehensible to human reason; in this respect Scripture can and must be called dark.”
a. e.g. Doctrines of the Trinity and of the Person of Christ.
b. Of course, e.g., the doctrine of the Trinity is an inscrutable mystery to human reason.
c. But, Scripture simply confesses the Trinity without obscurity or ambiguity whatever.
d. But, how these things are, Scripture does not say, nor is it necessary to be known.
5. Several Scripture passages have been used to call in question the perspicuity of Scripture and thus to “destroy” the authority of Scripture.
a. 2Pe 3:16 and 1Co 13:12 particularly.
b. 2Pe 3:14-16 (v.16)
(1) Does not say “all things” but “some things”.
(2) Those hard to understand pertain to the Last Things.
(3) The “ignorant and unstable” (NRSV), not the intelligent and well-read Christians.
c. 1Co 13:12.
(1) In eternal life, face to face will take the place of the knowledge by faith.
(2) Comparison of seeing in the cloak of His Word with seeing visibly.
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