I love the word, “irenic”.  It comes from a Greek root word irene, which means peace.  To be irenic is to be peaceful.  But that doesn’t mean one has no opinions or that one does not ever take issue with others.  Those who agree with everyone really can’t be described as irenic; I would use other words: gullible, uninformed, easily manipulated, easily swayed, easily impressed, never taking a stand.  They go along to get along.

                  But let’s say you do have ground upon which to stand and let’s say you think some truths need to be vigorously defended.  What are your options then?  Well, one option is that you would be combative, strident, in-your-face, easily offended, prickly, ready to break relationships whenever things don’t go your way.  We have all met people like that.

The Wisdom From Above

                  For this reason, I love James 3:17. It says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (ESV).  Did you notice those words?

“Pure”, which means that there are no secondary hidden motives behind the wisdom from above — no agendas that are concealed until the person gets what they want.

And then the next word: “peaceable”.  It is not looking to harm the other or to cause them either pain or for them to lose face.  It actually cares about the wellbeing of the person with whom one disagrees.

And then “gentle”.  No shouting.  No in-your-face, violent outbursts.

Next, wisdom from above is “open to reason”.  It is willing to reason with the other.  It invites the opponent to set forth their case, and if it is sincerely done, to consider the merits of the argument that is given.

What Is Sola Scriptura?

                  And so, borrowing on the model of the irenic spirit, I wish to, for one week, make the case for sola scriptura in an upcoming audio series.  If you are unfamiliar with what that means, let me help.  It’s a Latin phrase.  The word solameans “alone” — like a motorcyclist who rides “solo”, just by themselves. And of course, the word scriptura is Latin for Scriptures.  And, to put it plainly, Scriptures refers to the Bible: the 66 books that are included in what Protestants accept as sacred.

                  Those of you who understand the nature of the Protestant Reformation will know that there were 5 Solas; five things that relate to our salvation, five categories in which there must never be anything more than one thing allowed in that category: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone).  It has to be a sola, or we lose our way.  Only one thing is permitted, never more than one.

                  Well, we are not discussing all five solas, but only one. And to say I am arguing for sola scriptura means that I am arguing that the Bible is the only ultimate source of authority for our faith and our practice.  Our faith rests not on the authority of the Bible and something else (like tradition or new revelation), but rather sola scriptura — only the Bible. That’s not to say other sources aren’t important, but we’ll get into that in the series.

Those who hold to sola scriptura argue that if it’s in the Bible, you have to either believe it or submit to it or obey it, for Scripture has the authority of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  To disobey or disbelieve Scripture then is to disbelieve God.  At the same time, if it is not in the Bible, you have the right to operate according to your conscience, or even personal preference — provided you are acting in love. Wherever the Bible is silent, I am free to make my own decisions.  But where the Bible speaks, my only choice is to submit and obey.  That is sola scriptura. The Bible and the Bible only is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

Now, many Christians assume that all Christians agree with this and so find themselves shocked to hear that there are many who disagree.  And as we go through this series in which I will defend the doctrine of sola scriptura, I need, in order to be fair, to allow those voices to be heard.  After all, I want the wisdom from above, which is open to reason.

                  However, because I am not a pushover and you shouldn’t be either, we need to vigorously defend sola scriptura and therefore point out the weaknesses of those who argue against it. Given the many who disagree with sola scriptura (we’ll address Roman Catholics, Liberal Protestants, and Extreme Charismatics), it is necessary for those of us who are historic Protestants to defend what it is that we believe, as well as articulate why it is we believe it.

After all, our Bible tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, “…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

And so that is what this series will be about: a defense of sola scriptura.  And that I give a week to this shouldn’t surprise you! After all, this ministry is called “Back to the Bible Canada”.