For the Sake of Scripture 9.18.2025

     The inspiration of scripture is not just a doctrine to be trotted out to make brownie points with certain church groups. It is not a mere theological point to be checked off a list when hiring a staff person or selecting a special speaker or to be deployed as a means of avoiding (or provoking) controversy. The doctrine of inspiration is derived from our conception of God and His authority. The Bible is not a magical book. The authority of scripture is an extension of the authority of God. Consequently, (You knew there would be a “consequently”, right?) for those who preach and teach scripture, there is a preliminary, behavioral aspect to our use of Scripture. 

    In short, there is no point in relying upon the authority or referencing the inspiration of scripture in theory— if you debase it in practice. Inspiration is not a substitute for the understanding that comes from the hard work of study. In fact, without clarity and understanding, without discipline and focus the concept of inspiration can actually be counterproductive. How? By giving the impression that we in fact don’t need to understand. Which is, of course, an unbiblical concept. 

    So, this work we do in the text, this exegetical and hermeneutical circle we traverse is not only for our benefit, nor solely for the sake of the congregation, it is also for the sake of Scripture itself. By taking the Bible seriously we ensure that our perception of its truthfulness and its internal witness to its inspiration work together to form an accurate impression of its authority. 

    In the contemporary “evangelical” world much is made of Christian world-view thinking.  As important as it is to think Biblically and for disciples to imitate Jesus, we are also called to discern the difference between concepts which are truly Biblical and derived from the primary focus of Scripture,  and those which usurp or encumber Biblical authority with accrued cultural or tribal baggage. Many of the typical tropes which are presumed and presented as the common knowledge of the historic Church are simply not. Half-baked, uncritical, culturally driven, and purposefully polarizing these issues use the authority of scripture as a shield for otherwise unbiblical thinking. They expand the application of Scriptural passages beyond the intent (and often the possible knowledge) of the author of a given text, in order to intimidate or control the target audience. Much of this thinking is driven by cultural forces far removed from the local Church and the concerns of the actual communities in which each congregation is embedded. Preying upon fear of the unknown, platformed influencers, media personalities, and parachurch “stars” make vast amounts of money erecting ersatz silos of misinformation that actually prevent believers from understanding the Bible correctly. 

    Part of the issue is that real, Biblical thinking requires a personal touch in the context of embedded community. As preachers and teachers, we do not merely tell things to people, we also show them. We live with them explaining with words and deeds not just the conclusions of our Biblical reasoning but the process of drawing those conclusions.  It is in the local Church that a congregation witnesses the process of asking critical questions, struggling with them in the real world, and constantly revising our understanding as we grow in maturity.  In this ongoing engagement, preaching and teaching segues into discipleship. People trust the Bible best when they trust the person in their pulpit and when they see him as the local expert on God’s Word. 

    One of the initial benchmarks of the Restoration Movement was an insistence on using Bible Words for Bible Things. This assumes Biblical Definitions for Biblical Terms. This critical distinction is lost on those who wish to use Biblical terminology as a kind of lacquer that is separate from, different than, and exterior to the actual meaning of Biblical language. Obviously, I find that somewhat offensive. It is not however the primary problem. The real issue is the surrender of local, Biblical, authoritative preaching to the influences of external mega and media cultures. As a preacher my responsibilities are not primarily global. My influence in the broader Church begins with faithful study and preaching in the Church to which I am called and for which teaching I am accountable. By its very nature Biblical truth is bottom up. Scriptural authority is rooted in local proclamation, or it is nothing. There are obvious examples of attempting top-down Biblical authority, and they mostly fail. Not because the Bible is in any way false but because the witness is not authentic. Authentic Christian witness, true and discernible Biblical authority starts in the local assembly of believers who gather regularly to give their Amen to the locally articulated “Thus says the Lord.” The global Church is an aggregation of local, embedded, engaged congregations bearing witness to the fallen community—or it is nothing. 

    We preach Christ…and Him crucified. We read and teach Scripture which bears witness in its entirety to God’s work in Christ Jesus. We live lives of relational accountability for the sake of the Scripture. We need to understand the Bible and dare not take its authority for granted by recusing ourselves from hermeneutical engagement within our local community. Our local Biblical congregation contributes to that of the global Christian community bearing Kingdom witness to God’s Authority through faithfulness to His Word. 

    It is for the sake of the Scripture that we do not sublet our task to others. Outsourcing this trust to others is one small step in surrendering the authority of Scripture. If you are called and equipped to do this job, if it is in fact a sacred trust, as we believe it to be, then you must guard what has been turned over to you. In this you not only serve with personal integrity you also serve the Church by protecting the doctrine provided it by the Apostolic deposit. Yes, you will feel better. Yes, it will benefit the congregation. And when we study and speak for the sake of Scripture the authority of the Word and the clarity of God’s will, will become more evident to our listeners.