"The Gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere. . . any additional rules made to govern men's conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
~ John Wycliffe
The doctrine of Sufficiency of Scripture is hardly a 21st Century revelation to Bible-believing Christians. But remarkably, even for his day, John Wycliffe -- in 12th Century England -- regarded the Bible as a living and authoritative Book. This indeed set him apart as not only a scholar, but a Bible-believing Christian. Like many Christian conservatives of 2010, Wycliffe observed and commented on the many discrepancies between the standards set by Scripture and the practices of the church and governing bodies.
Despite the escalating tensions between King Edward III and the Roman Catholic Church which gave rise to much of Wycliffe's work, the quote could well have been written or voiced only yesterday for all its timely wisdom and significant application to our own generation's socio-political atmosphere and doctrinal disputes. His words reflect timeless Truth.Why. . . ?
It is an understatement to say that most evangelical churches in America function outside of the teachings for the New Testament Church. It's also a given that many denominations put far more faith in a man-made doctrine than the Inerrant Word of God. But it is a blaring and obvious fact that our United States' government employs little if anything that identifies with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by way of its "additional rules made to govern [our] conduct."
A strong movement exists today to divorce America not only from its Christian beginnings, but from the sufficiency of the Gospel of Redemption through Jesus Christ.
Why. . . ?
This progressive trend is becoming less about the debate between two opposing sides and more and more about defining and establishing the boundary between what is true and what is false. You either believe America is a Christian nation which was founded upon the sufficiency of Scripture; or you don't. It's black and white.
In the early public schools of America, the BIBLE was one of the main textbooks -- if not the only textbook. Apparently, it was SUFFICIENT. But on June 17, 1963, in Abington vs. Schempp, the United States Supreme Court removed the BIBLE and its readings from public education.Why. . . ?
Data from the Center for Disease Control and Department of Health and Human Resources and Human Services and Statistical/Abstracts of United States PROVE that rape, murder, alcohol abuse, robbery, suicide, gang warfare, assault, absenteeism, pregnancies, burglary, vandalism, abortions, arson, extortion, venereal disease, bombings, and drug abuse have SKYROCKETED since 1963.
Apparently . . . the "additional rules made to govern [our] conduct" were not sufficient.
Not surprisingly, all of society including media, entertainment, criminal behavior, family trends, etc. (even the behaviors of those claiming to the "Christians") have followed the trend.
There is no moral compass provided by the government or any other ruling body that is more sufficient that GOD's Word. So, with the one and only moral compass provided to us as human beings removed by the "government," is it any wonder we are in the state we find ourselves? As Wycliffe said, ". . .any additional rules made to govern men's conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Why. . . ?
The willful rejection of the Bible as our source of divine authority is a direct cause of the current state of immorality in our country. In the years that followed that devastating Supreme Court ruling -- and continuing to this day -- the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be persecuted, eliminated, and otherwise rejected by both our government and society as a whole.Why. . . ?
Progressives, Socialists, and atheists don't want Americans to know the truth about our nation's Biblically based Christian heritage. They are strenuously trying to rewrite history to match their propaganda and support their agenda. They are even more adamant about denying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are attacking God's Word, its sufficiency, and its plan of Redemption from every angle including education, the political arena and the legal system in an effort to change, reinvent and transform history to conform to their radical beliefs. In doing so they will eventually destroy the very foundation of America.
Why. . . ?
WHY? . . .What is it about the sufficiency of Scripture that has so many people set on a course to destroy that "perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
The doctrine of Sufficiency of Scripture is based primarily on II Timothy 3:15-17 and Jude 1:3.
The sacred writings . . . are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work . . . Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. In other words the Bible is sufficient in that it is the only ("once for all") inspired and therefore inerrant words of God that we need, in order to know the way of salvation and the way of obedience ("equipped for every good work").
The sufficiency of Scripture does not mean that the Bible is all we need to live obediently and function in society. For example, in order to be obedient and lawfully drive a car, we need to obey traffic rules and observe state regulations for licensing. In order to be obedient and work in the realm of science, we need to read science and study God's creation. In order to be obedient and function in the realm of economics we need to read and observe the world of business. To be obedient and perform in the realm of sports, we need to know the rules of the game. To be obedient in marriage, we need to know and understand our spouse's personality. To be obedient and perform as a pilot, we need to know how to fly an airplane; etc, etc. etc. In other words, the Bible does not tell us all we need to know in order to be obedient stewards of this world.
It does tell us that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through CHRIST. (John 14:6)
The sufficiency of Scripture means that we need NO further explanation or revelation from God or anyone in order to be competent and equipped for every good work. We do not need a "Fundamental Transformation" of a nation already established in Christian principles. We do not need to redefine marriage. We do not need to redefine the family. We do not need to redistribute wealth. We need NO further enlightenment. We need NO more inspired, inerrant words. From anyone!!!
God's Word is sufficient not only for the lives of Christians, but for all people. Through His Word, God has given us His plan of redemption along with the the absolute perfect standard for judging all other knowledge and all other philosophies. Even when that knowledge helps support the Bible.
For example:(John Piper explains this beautifully.) The word "ant" occurs twice in the Bible. Once in Proverbs 6:6 and again in Proverbs 30:25. Yet, the word "ant" is never defined in the Bible. The Bible expects us to know what an ant is from another body of knowledge (language) along with our life experience. But even if we misinterpret the verses to mean that ants actually teach us that laziness is profitable, Scripture again is the standard for testing our interpretation. Numerous other passages in the Bible will prevent us from misinterpreting the meaning of the verses containing the word "ant" regardless of our ability or inability to know the word's definition. The Bible is all-sufficient for judging and proving or disproving Itself and all other bodies of knowledge.
"The Gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere. . . any additional rules made to govern men's conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
~ John Wycliffe
So what is it about this Perfect Gospel of Jesus Christ that makes all other rules to govern futile and utterly useless? Why are so many progressives and socialists and atheists so intent on destroying it?
Here's why: John Wycliffe, like many scholars across the time-line of history knew this:
GOD's Word Changes Lives!
"The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because
Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart."
~ President Thomas Jefferson
Is it possible -- just maybe -- that there is a force behind this movement that seeks to destroy our Christian heritage? A force that does not want to see changed lives. . . ?
~ Esthermay V. Bentley-Goossen
© 2010 The Heart of a Pastor’s Wife
