Over the next several weeks our Friday e-bulletins and Table Talk videos will focus on CBC Ilderton’s doctrinal statement. Our first statement concerns the Bible and says:
We believe that the Bible alone, and the Bible in its entirety, is the written Word of God and, therefore, inerrant in the original documents and absolutely authoritative.
Let’s consider the highlights. Firstly, the statement “the Bible alone, and the Bible in its entirety, is the written Word of God” emphasizes three things:
- God is the author of the Scriptures for they are “of God”. The Bible is not just about God, but it is by God. The revelation of Him, written by human authors but inspired by Him; as Paul said, “All Scripture is breathed out by God. (2 Tim. 3:16)”
- Only the Bible is such a book. Many books are written about God, but only one is by Him.
- All of the Bible, from both Testaments, is God’s written Word.
Secondly, because the Bible is God’s written Word it is inerrant and authoritative. The Bible’s is inerrant because its author is inerrant. The apostle John said, “the Word became flesh … full of grace and truth (John 1:14)” and later quoted Jesus proclaiming of himself that he is the truth (Jn 14:6). So it is no surprise when he states, “your word is truth. (Jn 17:17)” And so, in a related way, because the Bible is true, we trust it as our authority in all matters it affirms or denies. You may have noticed the qualifying statement, “inerrant in the original documents.” We recognize the original biblical text is not available to us, so our Bibles are English translations of original language copies of the very first texts. Thus, we believe that insofar as the original texts are faithfully copied, the Scriptures are inerrant in its copies. Thankfully, no variant texts cause us to question any matter of faith or doctrine, and so we confidently believe that even our translations of copies are authoritative for all matters of faith and practice.
Why is this doctrine important?
Theologian B.B. Warfield wrote, “The trustworthiness of the Scriptures lies at the foundation of trust in the Christian system of doctrine, and is therefore fundamental to the Christian hope and life.” Natural revelation can only take us so far. It is true that one can look up to the expansive heavens, or down to the most delicate flower, and know of the Creator. However, it takes the Creator’s written revelation of Himself to define how we relate to, and understand, Him, ourselves, others, our world, His church, and eternity. The Bible is necessary because it is the only book of Him and by Him; the Bible is sufficient because even if it was the only book we had, it would be enough to know Him and how we may live rightly before Him; and the Bible is authoritative because its author is the source of all truth!
