This final article on the first two nights of the recent debate in San Antonio will deal with the two opposing views of the sufficiency of the Word of God. The man representing the Catholic Church, Michael Luther, charged that the Bible is neither complete nor sufficient for mankind today. His contention was that although the Bible is the Word of God, it is not complete. God left various portions to be revealed over the centuries (presumably on a need-to-know basis). What this view amounts to is that we need the Bible plus the infallible interpretation of the pope.
There are actually several “Bible plus” views. The Mormons must also believe the Bible is incomplete–because they have extra books that (in their eyes) stand equivalent to the inspired Scriptures: The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, etc. Catholics teach that the church was built on Peter (Matt. 16:18); the Mormons claim that the rock in this verse is continuous revelation. They are both wrong; the rock is the deity of Jesus, which Peter had just confessed. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).
Christian Scientists give allegiance to the writings of Mary Baker Patterson Glover Eddy; Seventh Day Adventists listen closely to Ellen G. White. Jehovah’s Witnesses are more loyal to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society than the Bible, although they may say they regard the latter more highly than the former. And then there are the Pentecostals (or charismatics) who claim to continue to receive revelations from God. In fact, some of them are so arrogant that they have been known to turn up their noses at those not claiming miraculous gifts, saying, How can you know what the Scriptures mean? You don’t even have the Holy Spirit. Well, why don’t you who are tapped in to The Source write down the new Scriptures so that we can all examine them? The problem for such people is that whatever they say will either agree with what God has already revealed (in which case it is not new), or it will disagree with the Bible (in which case it is wrong).
The problem with all of these religious groups who seem to need more than what the Bible reveals is that they have neglected what the New Testament teaches about revelation and completeness. Relevant passages will be discussed below.
What The New Testament Says About ItselfBrother Conley set forth marvelously well what the Bible has to say about itself. In addition to other Scriptures, the following were cited. Luke says that he wrote of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach (Acts 1:1). Mr. Luther could not quite comprehend the meaning of such verses. His contention is that the apostles had all things revealed to them, but that they did not record all of it (Mark 4:34). He averred that the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-31) was never explained in the Scriptures. “What does he not understand about it?” one wonders. Do we really need an infallible interpreter to understand this parable?
His point was that God omitted explanations for certain things and purposefully did not reveal all there was to know–so that we would learn the valuable lesson about not going by Scripture alone. Yes, according to his system of theology God wants us to depend upon continuous revelation (not to mention the one revealing it) and official interpretation. But can he believe his own doctrine? In a preliminary letter arranging this debate this disputant expressed confidence that Luke 21:15 would apply to him during the course of the debate: “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” Then why did he write out and read his opening speech each evening, and why was he stuttering so much when trying to speak extemporaneously during the second speech of the second night? [Calling this to attention is not an attempt at sarcasm or cruelty, but it must be noted because it contradicts his position.]
The fact is, however, that Luke said he revealed the substance of all that Jesus taught (Acts 1:1). Certainly, we do not have every word of every sermon that Jesus taught, but we have every principle that God wants us to know. Consider the following verses.
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but has now been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations. . .” (Rom16:25-26).
“How that by revelation he made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by His Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:3-5). The mystery that was not understood has now been explained.
“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. . .”(2 Peter 1:3). All things? All. What a strange thing for a pope (alleged by Mr. Luther) to say. The us who received these things in verse three is the same us who were called in verse three and who received exceeding great and precious promises in verse four. Peter is not saying that just he and the apostles received all things that pertain to life and godliness: we all have.
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). “The faith” embodies the complete Christian system, the entire body of New Testament doctrine. It was once for all delivered. In the Old Testament God gave a prophecy (as part of the Law) that there would be another lawgiver, to whom all Israel was bound to hearken (Deut. 18:15-19). The prophets even spoke of the new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34).
But the New Testament foretells no new law, covenant, or revelation. Once it was completed, inspiration ceased (1 Cor. 13). Not only is no new revelation expected, but all that we need to please God has been revealed once for all. If additional revelations had been needed through the centuries, then Jude 3 and 2 Peter 1:3 would be both incomplete and false. False, however, are those who hold such a view. The Scriptures are true and complete; they are all we need for salvation and correct worship