Bibliology And Hermeneutics Copyright 2002 2006 Reclaiming the

“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. ” — 2 Timothy 3: 16– 17 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Outline I. Class Introduction and Authority II. Sola Scriptura III. Transmission of Scripture IV. Canonization of the OT V. Canonization of the NT VI. Inspiration VII. Proving Inspiration VIII. Inerrancy IX. History of Interpretation X. Historical-Grammatical Hermeneutics Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Canon Genre LXX Dual-source theory Apocrypha Sola Scriptura Bible Translations Regula Fidei Manuscripts Inspiration Authorial Intent Autographa Revelation Mechanical Dictation Interpretation Inerrancy Hermeneutics Prima Scriptura Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Authority

Session 1 Authority Who do we trust? Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind

Authority Questions: 1. What does sola Scriptura mean? 2. What is the Roman Catholic understanding of Tradition? 3. What does Eastern Orthodoxy believe concerning Tradition? 4. What is the difference between sola Scriptura and Solo Scriptura? Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Story of the Reformation Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority "Unless I am convinced by the testimony from scripture or by evident reason—for I confide neither in the Pope nor in a Council alone, since it is certain they have often erred and contradicted themselves—I am held fast by the scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience is held captive by God’s Word, and I neither can nor will revoke anything, seeing it is not safe or right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen. “ —Martin Luther Diet of Worms, April 18, 1521 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Five Primary Views: 1. Sola Ecclesia 2. Prima Scriptura 3. Regula Fidei 4.

Authority What Is Tradition? American Heritage Dictionary: • The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication. • A mode of thought or behavior followed by a people continuously from generation to generation; a custom or usage. • A body of unwritten religious precepts. • A time-honored practice or set of such practices. Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Two Types of Tradition in Ecclesiastical History: Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the

Authority Tradition 1: 1 A “summary” of Christian orthodoxy that has been held by the universal/catholic Church since its inception. It is infallible only because it accurately represents Scripture. If it does not accurately represent Scripture, it is not true Tradition. Therefore, it is subject to the Scripture. Often referred to as the regula fidei. Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Tradition 2: 2 An infallible unwritten body of material that contains information beyond that which is contained in Scripture (e. g. Marian dogmas, infallibility of the pope). This Tradition began with the Apostles’ teaching and is passed on through a succession of bishops. It is only revealed when issues arise that make it necessary for a pope or a council to speak authoritatively from this “deposit” of information. Often referred to as “living Tradition. ” Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Regula Fidei “Rule of Faith” This is a Greek phrase used often in the early Church to refer to the summation of the Christian faith. The regula fidei was seen as the faith which was held “always, everywhere, and by all. ” It was seen as being inherited and passed on, not through an avenue of inspired or infallible information distinct from that of Scripture, but as representative of the essential doctrinal and moral Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Sola Ecclesia: Belief that Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. Adherents: Roman Catholics Tradition: Tradition 2 Alternate name: Dual-source theory Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Sola Ecclesia “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” —Jude 1: 3 Catholic Church Unwritten Infallible Tradition Responsible for defining and interpretation Deposit of Faith Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Age of the 400 AD Age of the Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries 1000 AD

Authority Catechism of the Catholic Church 81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching. 82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, “does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence” (emphasis added). Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Reason Tradition Scripture Front Copyright © 2002 -2006,

Authority What makes a teaching infallible? 1. Pope speaking alone concerning matters of faith or morals (ex cathedra): e. g. , papal bulls, encyclicals 2. When the pope and bishops speaking together concerning matters of faith or morals: e. g. , ecumenical councils and creeds Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Prima Scriptura: Adherents: Tradition: Belief that the Body of Christ has two separate sources of authority for faith and practice: 1) the Scriptures and 2) Tradition. Scripture is the primary source for authority, but by itself it is insufficient for all matters of faith and practice. Tradition also contains essential elements needed for the productive Christian life. Some Roman Catholics, some Eastern Orthodox, some Protestants. Tradition 2 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Prima Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” —Jude 1: 3 Deposit of Faith Church Unwritten Tradition (paradosis). Interprets Scripture and contains doctrine and morals that are extrabiblical. Tradition can never contradict Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Age of the 400 AD Age of the Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries 1000 AD

Authority Regula fidei: Adherents: Tradition: Lit. “Rule of faith. ” Belief that tradition is an infallible “summary” of Scripture passed on through apostolic succession. Ultimately, there is only one source of revelation, but two sources of authority. In other words, Tradition is Scripture. Eastern Orthodoxy, early Church, some evangelicals. Tradition 1 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Regula Fidei “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” —Jude 1: 3 Church Unwritten Tradition (paradosis)/ summary of the Gospel message. Deposit of Faith Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Age of the 400 AD Age of the Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries 1000 AD

Authority “Any disjunction between Scripture and Tradition such as would treat them as two separate ‘sources of revelation’ must be rejected. The two are correlative. We affirm (1) that Scripture is the main criterion whereby the church tests traditions to determine whether they are truly part of the Holy Tradition or not; (2) that Holy Tradition completes Holy Scriptures in the sense that it safeguards the integrity of the biblical message. ” —Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue: The Dublin Agreed Statement 1984 (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1985), 50– 51 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority “Regarding the relation of Scripture and Tradition, for centuries there seemed to have been a deep difference between Orthodox and Lutheran teaching. Orthodox hear with satisfaction the affirmation of the Lutheran theologians that the formula sola Scriptura was always intended to point to God’s revelation, God’s saving act through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and therefore to the holy Tradition of the Church. . . against human traditions that darken the authentic teaching in the Church. ” —Lutheran-Orthodox Dialogue: The Agreed Statements 1985– 1989 (Geneva: Lutheran World Federation, 1992), 11 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority Sola Scriptura: Belief that Scripture is the final and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. Adherents: Evangelicals, Reformers Tradition: Tradition 1 Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Sola Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” —Jude 1: 3 Church Unwritten tradition (paradosis)/ summary of the Gospel message Deposit of Faith Scripture Written Infallible Tradition Age of the 400 AD Age of the Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries 1000 AD

Authority Back Experience Emotions General Revelation Tradition Reason Scripture Front Copyright © 2002 -2006,

Authority Solo Scriptura: Belief that Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian. Tradition is useless and misleading, and creeds and confessions are the result of man-made traditions. Adherents: Fundamentalism, Restoration Churches Tradition: None (or Tradition 0) Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Solo Scriptura “. . . contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” —Jude 1: 3 Deposit of Faith Age of the Scripture Written Infallible Tradition 400 AD Age of the Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries 1000 AD

Authority Back Scripture Front Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Authority “I have endeavored to read the Scriptures as though no one has read them before me, and I am as much on my guard against reading them today, through the medium of my own views yesterday, or a week ago, as I am against being influenced by any foreign name, authority system whatever. ” –Alexander Campbell Founder of the Disciples of Christ Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries

Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Dual-source view of authority and revelation Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Single-source view of authority and revelation

Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Reformed (Protestants) Radical (Protestants) Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Dual- source view of authority and revelation Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Single-source view of authority and revelation

High View of Scripture Supreme View of Tradition Low View of Tradition Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. Regula fidei Sola Scripture is the primary and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. Tradition, as represented by the Church, is important and useful, but not paramount and infallible. Tradition is true to the degree that it agrees with Scripture. Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Solo Scriptura Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian; Tradition is useless and misleading. Creeds and confessions are the result of man -made traditions.

Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Reformed (Protestants) Radical (Protestants) Individualistic Respect for Authority Absolute Individualism Absolute Authoritarianism Sola Ecclesia Catholic Counter. Reformation Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Sola Scriptura Early Church Through Reformation Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Solo Scriptura Radical Reformation

Bible Churches Reformed Independent Churches Lutherans Disciples of Christ Methodists Baptists Anglicans Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Presbyterians Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Church of Christ Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura

Moral certainty found in community and Spirit-led individual Absolute certainty found in institutions Sola Ecclesia Prima Scriptura Regula fidei Dual-source view of authority and revelation Copyright © 2002 -2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Absolute certainty found in individual Sola Scriptura Solo Scriptura Single-source view of authority and revelation