Response to Grudem and the Authority of Scripture

Session 2

September 14, 2010

Personal Response

Chapter 4 of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology is the first chapter dedicated to the characteristics of Scripture. This chapter deals with the authority of Scripture and the proof that its authority lies in its authorship. Grudem does a thorough job of demonstrating scripturally that the Bible is without question written by God. Grudem shows that the Bible claims for itself this authority and although this claim may be a circular argument it is acceptable since; “all arguments for an absolute authority must ultimately appeal to that authority for proof: otherwise the authority would not be an absolute or highest authority”. It is also demonstrated how the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer to prove the authorship and authority of Scripture. Grudem also covers the various means used by God in writing the Bible. He finishes the chapter by demonstrating the truthfulness of Scripture and Scripture as our final authority.

I like the “Explanation and Scriptural Basis” given at the start of the chapter; “The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” This statement alone should eliminate the argument of inerrancy for any true believer. Grudem points out (pg. 77) “Our ultimate conviction that the words of the Bible are God’s words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts…..” This fact alone leaves me to question how one can claim to be a Christian, yet claim that the bible is not inerrant. This would seem to be an ultimate contradiction. If the Bible is found to contain error in any way then, true faith is made much more difficult. After all, if we are able to find error in one thing, how could we ever be certain of the Bible as a whole? An inerrant bible affects not only our way of life as Christians, but also our witness for the salvific work of Christ on the cross.