Divine Inspiration
The Bible is regarded as the primary source of authority for most Christians, often referred to as Sacred Scripture or Divine Law. Christians believe the Bible is God-breathed (theopneustos), meaning that the Holy Spirit inspired its human authors to write the words God intended. This belief provides the Bible with authority, as it is seen not merely as a human document but as a channel through which God communicates moral guidance and divine truth. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Moral and Ethical Guidance
Christians use the Bible to discern right from wrong and to understand their duties to God and others. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 emphasizes that the ultimate human obligation is to “Fear God and keep his commandments, for God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Similarly, Luke 6:36 commands believers to act mercifully and justly, reflecting God’s own character. Psalm 119:9-16 reinforces the Bible’s role as a moral guide, describing it as “a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Through such passages, Christians see Scripture as providing clear ethical standards with eternal significance.
Dual Authorship
Many Christians hold to the concept of dual authorship, whereby the Bible is both human and divine in origin. This view is expressed in the Catholic Catechism: “The Bible is believed to be the words of God expressed in the words of men.”Vatican II’s Dei Verbum reinforces this perspective, stating that Scripture “teaches solidly, faithfully and without error the truth which God wanted to put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation.” In this sense, the Bible is authoritative because it conveys God’s truth while being articulated in a form accessible to humans.
Salvation and Covenant
The Bible is seen as the narrative of God’s ongoing relationship with humanity, or Heilsgeschichte (salvation history). Through the Old and New Testaments, God’s covenants with humanity are revealed, culminating in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures provide both knowledge of God and a roadmap for human obedience, enabling Christians to live lives that are pleasing to God and to work toward salvation and eternal life.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible’s authority in Christianity rests on its status as divinely inspired, morally instructive, and historically rooted in God’s salvific plan. Its dual authorship, ethical teachings, and revelation of salvation history together ensure that the Bible remains central to Christian belief and practice.
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