Doctrine of Scripture

The Doctrine of Scripture asserts that:

Scripture is inspired. This refers to the belief that the Bible is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) and that its human authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to write God’s words. There are various views on how this inspiration occurred, ranging from verbal plenary inspiration (every word is directly inspired) to dynamic inspiration (the ideas or concepts are inspired, but the words are the human author’s own).

Scripture in inerrant: This is the belief that the Bible is without error in all its teachings. Some theologians hold to strict inerrancy, meaning the Bible is completely free from error in all aspects, including history and science. Others adopt a more nuanced view, suggesting that the Bible is inerrant in its theological and moral teachings but not necessarily in all historical or scientific details.

Scripture is authoritative: The Bible is considered the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. It serves as the final arbiter of Christian beliefs and ethical conduct. The extent and nature of this authority can vary, with some traditions emphasizing sola scriptura (Scripture alone) and others acknowledging the role of church tradition and reason.

Scripture is sufficient: This principle asserts that the Bible contains all the knowledge necessary for salvation and living a godly life. It does not imply that the Bible provides exhaustive knowledge on all subjects but that it is sufficient for guiding faith and practice.

There is some diversity between denominations regarding the Scriptures.

Catholicism vs. Protestantism: Catholic theology holds that Scripture and Sacred Tradition together constitute the deposit of faith, with the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church) playing a crucial interpretive role. Protestants typically emphasize sola scriptura, where the Bible alone is the supreme authority.

Evangelical vs. Mainline Protestantism: Evangelicals often stress the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible more strongly than mainline Protestants. Mainline denominations might adopt a more critical or historical approach to the Bible, acknowledging its human elements and historical context.

Orthodox Christianity: The Eastern Orthodox Church values Scripture highly but also emphasizes the importance of Holy Tradition and the teachings of the Church Fathers. The Orthodox view sees the Bible as part of a larger tradition that includes liturgy, councils, and icons.

Liberal vs. Conservative Theology: Conservative theologians tend to uphold traditional views of inspiration and inerrancy, while liberal theologians might view the Bible more as a human document that reflects its cultural and historical context. Liberals might focus more on the Bible’s moral and spiritual insights rather than its literal accuracy.