Me Tarzan, Me Spiritual! Postscript

There is a marvelously useful term that can help us sort through comments posted in the "Me Tarzan" series. It's a fun word to say, like "Hacha," but before we whoop it up, let's get some background. The doctrine of divine inspiration includes the topics of the authority of Scripture and the sufficiency of Scripture. All three (inspiration, authority, and sufficiency) are mentioned and connected in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, which states: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Here's how each of these three topics connect to phrases in these two verses.

1. Inspiration - All Scripture is inspired by God. Although written by human authors, the entire Bible has its ultimate origin in God. It is like breath from his mouth.
2. Authority - [All Scripture is] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness. Because of its quality as God inspired, the Bible has the clout to tell us what to do. It can outline how life ought to be lived ("teaching"), it can tell us when we have gotten off track ("reproof"), it can tell us how to get back on track ("correction"), and it can show us how to stay on track ("training in righteousness").
3. Sufficiency - so that they man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. The capacity of Scripture to provide authoritative guidance extends to "every good work." Stated negatively - There is nothing good a man can do which doesn't find its essential basis in the Bible. Stated positively - If you want to do anything good, the only source of adequate guidance is the Bible. Any man with a heart for God ("man of God") can receive what he needs ("may be adequate") to do everything God expects of him ("for every good work") if he will mine the mother-lode, the Scripture.
   

So, when we talk about any topic, including how men should think, speak, and act, the Bible is the source of information for every good work. This is not to say that all truth about men is found in the Bible. But it is to say that all ESSENTIAL truth for men with a heart for God is found in the Bible. God inspired the Bible and thereby placed within it what He believes all men must understand if they are going to become the kind of men of whom He would say, "That's my kind of man."

So when we analyze any resource, including one that wants to help men, it is legitimate to evaluate the quality of that resource by how closely it draws from Scripture. Do not hear me saying that a secular study on "the way men think" has no value. But the closer the connection between a resource and what the Bible teaches on the topic, the greater my confidence that I am being exposed to what I NEED TO KNOW. Okay, so what about this "Hacha" word? Patience, Grasshopper!

Comments

[MBV]

so I get the feeling that my posts have have brought this on, or do I flatter myself?

btw I think Jalalabad is a fun word to say...

[Wendi]

I know about Hacha!

[Jim Fleming]

MBV,
Yes, I agree that Jalalabad is also fun to say. I'm not sure if it is as much fun as "Hacha," but it's close. Yes, your comments (and those of others) have suggested there might be some benefit to a little supplementary material and an opportunity for some further discussion.

[MBV]

oh good. at least I wasn't flattering myself. I have enough problems as it is.

[Bo]

MBV
At least you did not comment to your detriment.

[Bubba]

I have a question concerning the notion it is important how closely any given work draws from Scripture.

Do people think there is a difference regarding if a piece of work directly quotes Scripture or instead simply draws from it.

For example, much of CS Lewis' work does not quote Scripture directly yet draws heavily from Scripture. Consequently is the merit of Lewis' work less because he doesn't quote Scripture compared to a resource that does, in fact, directly quote Scripture?

[Jim Fleming]

Bubba,
Good question! It is possible to quote the Bible and use that quote to deny what it teaches. So "quoting" is not the big deal here. I am advocating a direct "connection between a resource and what the Bible teaches." "What the Bible teaches" may be clearly captured in a direct quote. But it can also be clearly and fairly represented in a sermon, a book, an article, or some other form of communication. The value of an extra-biblical resource goes up the more its message captures what the Bible actually teaches. This is what we are attempting to do at Light-work - to provide an internet resource that is valuable because it seeks to take "what the Bible teaches" and illuminate how those lessons connect to life.