SCRIPTURE ALONE
SCRIPTURE ALONE
Biblical students use a term to refer to one’s source of authority, epistemology. While most conservative Bible students think of their epistemology as being Scripture alone, few indeed live up to that claim. When people quote profusely from respected writers from the past, or from other sources outside the Bible, particularly when they use these quotes to defend or to assert their views, they in fact reveal that they have broadened their "epistemology" to include writings other than Scripture.
If we are to gain any success in resisting error, particularly insidious error such as that outlined by Peter in2 Peter 2:1-22and2 Peter 3:1-18, we must ground our "epistemology" in Scripture alone. The historical writings of Christians from past generations should be respected, for our faith, the things that we believe, are indeed historical. If we invent new ideas or doctrines, we cannot claim to stand on the shoulders of past saints. My uncle was a respected minister for some forty-five years. More than once since his death I have heard men who knew him cite him as an authority for their interpretation of a particular passage of Scripture, or for a particular doctrinal view. If they had known this godly man half as well as they claim, they would know that the last thing that he would have approved was anyone referring to him as an authoritative source. He knew commentators, ancient writers, and church history, but when he stood in the pulpit and preached his convictions, he did so from Scripture, not from these other sources. If we respect such heroes of the faith in our past, we should follow their example, not exalt them above what they would have claimed for themselves during their lives.
Personal experiences often appear in the "epistemology" of sincere believers. "I cannot deny what I experienced." If anyone could claim experience as part of his authority, Peter could certainly do so, but when he developed the foundation on which his readers must build their defense of divine truth, he actually relegated his experience on the mount of transfiguration to a secondary role, not to a primary epistemological role. We have no way of verifying our interpretation of personal experience. Peter does not establish personal experience and Scripture in this lesson; he affirms Scripture alone. May we follow Peter and look to Scripture alone for our authority.