Archived Daily Manna | Rejoice Fellowship | A mission to release people to rejoice in the world.

Message: In 1862, John Cumming, a virulently anti-Catholic Scottish clergyman, proved that Judgment Day would occur sometime between 1848 and 1867. Or, if one wants to believe Charles Taze Russell, an American restorationist minister (the doctrinal father of Jehovah’s Witnesses), it will surely occur in October, 1874. (See the rather humorous quote above.) There are hundreds of similar predictions from Christian writers (not to mention myriad pagan lunatics, such as the Mayan calendar sect). How can a devout and educated Christian not read and understand the plain language of the Bible? There is, actually, a branch of theology that deals with such errors, called the “Doctrine of Scripture”. Since the meaning of the text for today is so clear that it needs no discussion, we have an appropriate opportunity to look at the doctrine. And if Paul’s statement is not sufficiently understandable, one need only read Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:36. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” The Doctrine of Scripture The Bible has four fundamental attributes, which can be remembered by the mnemonic device SCAN: Sufficiency, Clarity, Authority, and Necessity. 1. Clarity (called “Perspicuity” by theologians, thus creating a confusing word to describe “clarity” — oh, the irony!). Clarity of Scripture is the doctrine that gets the most immediate reaction of, “You have to be kidding!” Anyone who has tried to puzzle out Revelation, or one of Paul’s denser epistles, will testify that it can be as clear as mud. But the doctrine does not mean that the entire Bible is easy to read. Clarity of Scripture means that there are statements of utter simplicity and clarity in the Bible, immediately understandable by any person called to salvation, and that these clear statements are sufficient for him or her to be saved. Jesus did not come to earth to save smart people! It is always important to remember the clear, easily understood parts of the Bible as the foundation of one’s faith. “Nobody knows when the final day will occur.” How clear is that? And yet, any number of professional clergymen, becoming lost in the murky labyrinth of Revelation, lose sight of this simple basic statement. Bible in light 2. Authority. The entirety of Scripture is the Word of God. Although written by a number of humans over a long period of time, God claims the words of Scripture as His own. Scripture therefore comes with the authority of God. It cannot be challenged and must be obeyed. This is what Scripture teaches about itself, and we believe it. The doctrines of Inerrancy and/or Inspiration are sometime stated separately, but most scholars see them as contributing factors to the Doctrine of Authority. 3. Necessity. Systematic theologians often refer to something called “general revelation”, which means that every person should know that God exists, because we see His magnificent creation every day. He reveals Himself in every sunrise, every leaf, and every breath of air. Paul pointed this out specifically in Romans 1:19-20. The Bible is not necessary to know that God exists. However: To gain salvation in Christ, it is necessary to read (or hear) the Bible, for it is our only original source of knowledge about God’s plan for us. The true Gospel is found in the Bible and nowhere else. We measure every statement against it. 4. Sufficiency. Like the Doctrine of Clarity, the Doctrine of Sufficiency means something a bit different than one might assume from its name. It stands for the concept that the Bible contains all of the words God intended for people to have at each stage of history, and now, it is complete. It tells us everything we need to know to be saved, to have perfect trust in God and to obey Him without fault. The doctrine is followed by the Catholic Church but in a slightly modified version, as they allow for clarification by the Pope, whereas Protestants do not. Unlike many theological concepts, the basic Doctrine of Scripture has no element of fallible human “wisdom”, but is solidly and irrefutably grounded in the Bible.