“the devil and his agents have been blowing at scripture light but could never blow it out – a...

The Word

The WordThe Matter of Authority, Truth, and Standard

The Word – The Matter of Authority and Truth

“The devil and his agents have been blowing at Scripture Light but could

never blow it out – a clear sign that it was lighted by Heaven.”

- Thomas Watson

The Word – The Matter of Authority and Truth

3 Key Questions in Life…

The Word – The Matter of Authority ,Truth, and Standard

I. The Question of Authority – Says Who?

II. The Question of Truth – From Where?

III. The Question of a Standard – By What?

Everyone must have an answer to these questions when it comes to morality and where spiritual matters are concerned

The Word – The Matter of Authority , Truth, and Standard

What is Authority?The Right to Impose Obligation


Greek word - exousia

Literally means a state of control over; potential or resource to

command, control, or govern; right of freedom of choice.

Authority

Why We Need AuthorityDuring the trials at Nuremberg,

the Nazi defense attorneys argued that Hitler’s soldiers who were on trial were only following the orders of their society and should therefore

not be held accountable.

A judge countered that argument with the question, “But sir, is there not a law

above our laws?”

We need an ultimate authority to appeal to in matters that transcend

history and societies.



What is Truth?That Which Corresponds to Reality


Greek word - alētheiaLiterally means to “un-hide”; “hiding

nothing”. Indicates that truth is always there, but must be revealed or

discovered. It communicates the concept that truth is a matter of revelation and that it speaks to how things really are.

Truth

Why We Need Absolute TruthA simple example:

• “Want to go ice skating tonight?”• “Is the ice thick enough?”• “Who cares?” (postmodern

response)

You could die…

Consequences exist for ignoring truth, whether it be health,

finances, or matters of religion.The Word – The Matter of Authority , Truth, and Standard


What is a Standard?That by which something is measured or judged


Greek word - metron

Literally means a measure or instrument of measure; the rule or

measure of judgment.

Standard

Why We Need a StandardI. Before you can call something wrong,

you must know what is rightII. Before you can call something right, you

must have a framework to determine what’s right and wrong

III. Before you can have a framework, you must have a set of absolute standards to build the framework; they must be absolute so you have certainty


Without this, all matters of ethics become emotive – opinion and/or taste


A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight

line.” – C. S. Lewis


To live properly and understand spiritual truth, mankind needs to recognize and affirm the proper

authority, understand absolute truth, and possess a standard by which to

measure right and wrong…

But where can man turn for help?

Where can Ultimate Authority, Truth, and a Standard Come

From?

I. From Each IndividualII. From Culture/SocietyIII. From a Combined set of CulturesIV. From a Naturalistic UniverseV. From an Immutable Sovereign

Creator


I. From Each Individual – no, because different individuals can disagree; no way to solve disputes

II. From Culture – no, because different cultures can disagree ; no way to solve disputes

III. From a Combined set of Cultures – possible, although this has never happened in human history, plus they would be made by mutable humans so no confidence they are ultimately correct

IV. From a Natural Universe – no, because impersonal matter cannot impose obligation

V. From an Immutable, Sovereign Creator – yes, because He created, understands, and sustains all things, and will never change



But how does a Sovereign God make Himself and

His Will Known?


Divine RevelationThe foundation of Authority, Truth, and Standard

OntologicalRevelation"He [Jesus] is the

image of the invisible God, the

firstborn of all creation … For in

Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in

bodily form,“(Colossians 1:15,2:9)

General Revelation

"For since the creation of the

world His invisible attributes, His

eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has

been made, so that they are without

excuse.“ (Romans 1:20)

SpecialRevelation"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.“(2 Timothy 3:16-17)


God

Original OrderOf Revelatory

FrameworkGiven by

God

Revelation

General

Creation Truth

Reason

Prophets - Old TestamentScriptures

Special

JesusPersonal

Special

Apostles - New TestamentScriptures


Special RevelationGod’s communication of His authority, truth, and standards


“Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice. “Who gave Him authority over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole

world? “If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return

to dust."(Job 34:12-15)

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."(John 17:17)

"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."(2 Timothy 1:13)


Challenges to Biblical Authority, Truth, and

Standards


Divine RevelationEach rejected by fallen mankind

General Revelation

“For they exchanged the

truth of God for a lie, and worshiped

and served the creature rather

than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”(Romans 1:25)

SpecialRevelation"For the time will

come when they will not endure sound

doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for

themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears

from the truth and will turn aside to myths.“

(2 Timothy 4:3-4)

OntologicalRevelation

"the wisdom which none of the rulers

of this age has understood; for if

they had understood it they

would not have crucified the Lord of

glory;“(1 Corinthians 2:8)


Rebellion against God’s authority ultimately comes down to the assertion that an individual’s authority reigns supreme; they refuse to

affirm another authority other than their own. The bottom line? Pride … and a mirroring of the first rebel to fall from God.

“Everyone is orthodox to himself.”

- John Locke



“What do I care what some Bronze Age text says about

homosexuality?” – Christopher

Hitchens, “God Bless Me, It's a

Best-Seller!”, Vanity Fair,

September 2007


“What then is truth? A mobile army of

metaphors, metonyms, and

anthropomorphisms … truths are illusions … coins which have lost their pictures and now matter only as metal, no longer as coins”

- Frederick Nietzsche


"Stop looking for some objective Truth that is

available when we delve into the text of

the Bible." -Tony Jones

Emergent church leader

On All Saints Day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg Germany in hopes of stirring an academic discussion with church leaders. Most historians will say that the core issue was Luther’s position of salvation by faith alone.

But also at issue was something else – the matter of ultimate authority.


Besides Martin Luther’s claim to salvation by faith alone, just as scandalous to the Catholic Church was Luther’s position

that church councils and even the pope himself could err. This being the case,

said Luther, the sole authority in the life of the Christian believer should be the

Bible – alone.

At the Diet of Worms, Luther was commanded by the church to recant, to

which he replied: "Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason (for I believe neither in the Pope nor councils alone, since it has been established that they have often

erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures adduced by me,

and my conscience has been taken captive by the Word of God, and I am

neither able nor willing to recant, since it is neither safe nor right to act against

conscience. God help me. Amen” The Word – The Matter of Authority , Truth, and Standard

Luther was ultimately excommunicated by Pope Leo X for his Biblical positions and condemned as an outlaw by the

emperor. He was then basically kidnapped by his close friends and taken

to the Wartburg Castle where he translated the Latin Scriptures into

German.

The Catholic Church responded to the reformation that had started by holding a counter reformation with decrees being

made at the Council of Trent. There they voiced the opinion that there are two

ultimate authorities:

(1)The Bible(2)Church Tradition

And since the Catholic Church believed it (the church) decided what the

composition of the Bible was, it held the ultimate place of authority and

interpretation.


The Reformation’s cry of Sola Fide (Faith Alone) was joined by a second

declaration:

“Sola Scriptura!”

The Reformation said Scripture Alone is the ultimate authority in life when it comes to matters of God and ethics


What are the Spiritual Reasons People Reject

the Bible?



Authority"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and

on earth."(Matthew 28:18)

Truth"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through

Me."(John 14:6)

The Standard" Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."(1 Corinthians 11:1)

The Bible Points to Christ


Authority"On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?" (Romans

9:20)

Truth"I said in my alarm, “All men are

liars.”” (Psalm 116:11)

The Standard"as it is written, “There is none

righteous, not even one;" (Romans 3:10)

The Bible Points Away From Us


The Bible testifies that we don’t have ultimate authority in life,

that the truth cant be found in us, and that we can’t measure up to

God’s standard.

The only one who possesses all these things is God, and Christ. And this causes a tension and

anger that strikes out against the one Book in the world that speaks

the truth about our rebellion.

"So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?"(Galatians

4:16)


"“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness

rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. “But he who practices the truth

comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”"

(John 3:19-21)


"“The wise men are put to shame, They are dismayed and caught; Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, And what

kind of wisdom do they have?"(Jeremiah 8:9)


I. The Question of Authority – Says Who?

II. The Question of Truth – From Where?

III. The Question of a Standard – By What?

All are answered by an immutable, sovereign God Who has revealed Himself in His Word

The WordThe Matter of Authority, Truth, and Standard

“the devil and his agents have been blowing at scripture light but could never blow it out – a...

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