Sola Scriptura or Sola Cardia? (Protestant/Evangelical Caucus)

The Gospel Coalition ^ | 7/27/2015 | Eric Raymond

[Gamecock]

Protestants speak of the term sola Scriptura as foundational to our understanding the Bible. But, what does it mean? And, why is it important?

The Reformation principle of sola Scriptura has to do with the sufficiency of Scripture as our supreme authority in all spiritual matters. Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture. (John MacArthur via Ligonier)

“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.” — Westminster Confession of Faith

You’ll notice that the terms sufficiency and authority are spoken of here. The point is that God has intentionally provided his people with sufficient answers and guidance to the things that really matter. We can be assured that we have what we need to faithfully live the Christian life and make the decisions that need to be made.

Most Christians would not deny this. On paper we embrace and love the Bible. However, in practice we may find ourselves denying sola Scriptura and embracing sola Cardia (the heart alone). How so? Let me give you four common ways Evangelicals can deny sola Scriptura:

By not reading it.

If we believe, like Jesus, that the Word of God is our bread, our food (Mt. 4:4) then we will eat it. The way we eat it is to read it, meditate upon it, and delight in it. As a pastor sometimes I feel like a dad trying to convince my kids to eat vegetables, “It is good for you. You need to eat this to grow. You will develop a taste for it.” The bottom line is simply this: it is folly to say we affirm sola Scriptura while not reading the Bible. When we do this we are saying, “I don’t need the Bible.” This is one way Evangelicals can practically deny sola Scriptura. 

By not seeking it.

We can tell what we value by seeing what we turn to when we are in trouble. If I get crushing news I can tell who my friends are because I call them first. If I don’t know what to do then I can see who I think is wise because I reach out to them. Where do you go when you don’t know what to do? Or, when you are told that what you are doing is questionable? What is the arbitrator of what is right and wrong, or what wise or foolish?

The (fallen) reflex is to look inward. We look towards our hearts and what we “feel” is right. How should I respond to this situation? Well, how does it make me feel? What should I do about what so and so said? Well, I think that I should do such and such. You see the reflex don’t you? I’m sure you feel it as well. The impulse in our falseness is to look within rather than without. Our default mode is not sola Scriptura but sola cardia (the heart alone). This is inadvisable because it is so dangerous. The heart will not be a sober guide it is drunk on self. It is jaded, bought off, and compromised. The Scripture says it is “deceitful” and untrustworthy (Jer. 17:9). Who can trust it? (rhetorical question here). Like anything else, the first step in dealing with sola cardia would be to realize that it is a tendency and that it is an ill-advised tendency.

By not obeying it.

Another way is to simply not obey it. There is a point in time when we have to come face to face with what the Bible says about us and our circumstances. The initial incident is at conversion when we realize that we are a sinner deserving of God’s strict justice. We then repent and trust in Christ. However, this posture of hearing God’s verdict about our thoughts and actions is the ongoing pattern of lives as Christians. To not do what the Bible says is not only to sin in action but also to sin in thought by thinking that God is not God–and his Word is not authoritative.

Remember what the Bible does:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16)

It is folly to say that we affirm sola Scriptura but deny that the Bible has the authority to speak into our lives in a corrective way.

By not applying it.

One of the things that I really like about the Westminster Confession of Faith statement above is how it claims that we have what we need to live and make decisions. The content has been “expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture.” This means that we should be able to have our decisions supported by or at the very least framed by the Scripture. In other words, every significant decision we make should not be contradicted but rather supported by the Scripture.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Paul makes it clear that our minds need to be renewed. Our wills, minds, emotions–everything about us, need to submit to the Word of God. We need to be renewed. We should not rely upon ourselves but upon the Word of God. It is folly to say that we affirm sola Scriptura and then rely upon subjective, fallen sources of authority rather than the Scripture.

By not preaching it.

It would follow then that a sufficient Bible that must be read, obeyed and applied would be preached. Pastors who do not preach the Bible betray any commitment to sola Scriptura. As nice and entertaining as stories, jokes, and authenticity are–they cannot bear the freight of God’s work in the pulpit. God means to have his people’s minds renewed.

It is folly for a pastor to say that he affirms sola Scriptura only to not preach the Word of God on Sunday mornings (2 Tim. 4:2).

Conclusion

All of this comes down to is the uncomfortable fact that based upon many people’s lives, we don’t need the Bible.

If we don’t read it then it must be because we don’t think we need to. 
If we don’t seek it then it must be because we don’t think we need to. 
If we don’t obey it then it must be because we don’t think we need to
If we don’t apply it then it must be because we don’t think we need to
If we don’t preach it then it must be because we don’t think we need to

There is a better way. Instead of walking along the difficult murky waters of personal subjectivity God has called us to peer into the wonderfully sufficient, clear ocean of his Word. Read, seek, hear, obey, apply, and preach the Word of God. Receive and rest upon the Scripture, because, after all, it is absolutely sufficient. Reject sola cardia and rest in sola Scriptura. God knew what he was doing when he gave it to us and told us to obey it.

[Gamecock]

Food for thought ping!

[knarf]

The point is that God has intentionally provided his people with sufficient answers and guidance to the things that really matter.

Of all the doctrinal issues and statements ... THIS ONE is of supreme importance

For if God did not give us all (yet PAID for it all ) we are, at best, men most miserable

[Gamecock]

How often have you heard professing Christians say the Holy Spirit has guided them to make a decision that is CLEARLY against what is taught in Scripture.

It usually starts with God wants me to be happy... or some such thing.

[Gamecock]

Go on the website of any Protestant/Evangelical church and they will make some proclamation about their view of Scripture, which always sounds good. But in practice many leave much to be desired.

[driftdiver]

Not very often

[metmom]

God means to have his people’s minds renewed.

Romans 12:1-2I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

We HAVE the mind of Christ. we just need to learn to operate in it.

[driftdiver]

Really?

Perhaps you can point out the errors here - http://bellshoals.com/whatwebelieve/

It’s All About Jesus

At Bell Shoals we’re all about Jesus—we believe that He is God, and we invite you to learn about how you can find forgiveness and new life in Him. We believe the only way to get to know Jesus is to understand what the Bible says about…
God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Man

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates man from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2.
Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. After death, one will either exist eternally united with God in Heaven, or exist eternally separated from God in Hell. The gift of eternal life is freely offered to every individual. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:44, 4
Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Eternal Security

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer can securely believe that salvation is for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.

John 10:28; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 1:3-5
The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son of God. He is present in the world to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Christian seeks daily to live under His control. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in providing ministry to other Christians and the world. The evidence that one is “filled with the Holy Spirit” is the fruit of the Spirit seen in godly character, not in the manifestation of any particular spiritual gift.

** We believe all spiritual gifts are in use today, but for the sake of unity, we ask that the gift of tongues not be used during corporate worship services. **

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It is written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:10, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
Ministry

The Pastor and staff are given the responsibility to lead the church and to equip the membership for ministry. Each member has the responsibility to discover and employ his or her spiritual gifts in the life of the church. Every Christian needs to discover and be faithful in his or her ministry for Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Worship

The Christian exists to minister to the world, to other Christians and especially to God through praise and worship. We exist for the praise of His glory. Worship is celebrative as well as reflective and inspirational.

Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:12; Psalm 63:3-4; Psalm 150; Psalm 126:2-3ASD

[circlecity]

As soon as we start thinking we can add to or remove from Scripture then all things become relative and eventually everyone starts doing “what is right in their own eyes.”

[knarf]

what a stupid statement to make

You can read words ... but you do not know the heart of any single man ..... NOT EVEN YOUR OWN !!!

Jeremiah 17:9King James Version (KJV)

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

[Gamecock]

**what a stupid statement to make**

How so?

There are a lot of churches that proclaim to believe every word of the Bible, then celebrate gay marriages, unbiblical divorce, etc.

[knarf]

name one that practices what you say they do and claims to believe every word of God ...

copy and paste their website .... it's OK .... they'd LOVE the advertising

Rules;
Believes every word of God and celebrates ANYTHING gay

[Mom MD]

Thanks for the reminder I am not in the Word enough.

And thanks for the reminder of the 3 great solas of the reformation By grace alone, by faith alone, by Scripture alone. It’s that simple.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Then the author lists five. :)

But it's still a good, thought-provoking peace. Bless your day.

[CommerceComet]

You can read words ... but you do not know the heart of any single man ..... NOT EVEN YOUR OWN !!!

Seems someone disagrees with you and tells us to use the same test as Gamecock:

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.…" Matthew 7:15-16.

[Gamecock]

OK, follow along:

The American Baptist Churches of the South holds the following belief: The Bible is God’s Inspired Word. Baptists believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired record of God’s actions in history, and believe it is a trustworthy, authoritative, and all-sufficient rule of faith and practice. Source

Now, on that same website they write 3.ABC/USA has a history of openness to differing point of view. Jesus Christ is professed as Savior and Lord. Within the ABC/USA are different points of view on how persons go about expressing and living out that Lordship. Our tradition is one of acceptance, trust and openness to Truth.
Note the liberal theological buzzwords. In and of themselves they mean nothing...

BUT

Calvary Baptist Church, on their website professes to be a member of this denomination. If you click though the website Gaychurch.Org you will burrow down to this church.

And here is the First Baptist Church of Moorestown. They say: The Bible is the basis of our understanding of God’s relationship and dealings with humanity and the world, and its teachings are the primary source of our faith and practice.Source At the bottom of their homepage you will find links to the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists and this little icon:

Now check this out, from another church, The Pullen Memorial Baptist Church:

We affirm that the Bible is a primary source for our beliefs and practice, but it is a book to be engaged, not worshiped. Linky A bit squishy, but the Bible is their primary source. The average Christian would not have a problem with that statement.

And what does this church have a a ministry? A LGBT ministry! Source Their mission statement of that ministry?

-Partner with other advocacy and LGBT groups in our community to work for equality and justice for members of our community.

-Educate the Pullen congregation and community about justice and equality issues affecting the LGBT community.

The only good thing I see is they were kicked out of the Souuther Baptist Convention in 1992 because

After lengthy discussion and prayer, in 1992, Pullen endorsed unqualified acceptance of gay/lesbian Christians. Within a year Pullen was excluded from the Raleigh Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

[GBA]

"Let the sage not boast of wisdom nor the valiant of valour, nor the wealthy of riches!
But anyone who wants to boast, boast of this: of understanding and knowing Me.
For I am Yahweh, who acts with justice, and uprightness on earth, yes, these are what please Me,' Yahweh declares"
Jeremiah 9:23-24

[blue-duncan]

“By not applying it”

How often have you heard a sermon end with specific applications and then an accountability session the next week? We don’t value application or foster an atmosphere of application accountability in church so why do we expect to find it in personal devotions?

[GBA]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight..
-Proverbs 3:6