Lesson 4 for April 25, 2020

Even if we want to live by Scripture alone, our understanding of Scripture is

significantly shaped and influenced by a number of factors: the traditions we
are used to and grew up with, the way we are trained to think and how we use
our reason in explaining things, our experience with certain people and ideas,
and the formative culture around us.
The priority given to any source or combination of sources has a significant
influence on our theology; ultimately, it will determine the direction of the
entire theological enterprise.

Tradition
Experience
Culture
Reason
The Bible
“For all that is in the world—the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life—is not of the Father but is
of the world.” (1 John 2:16)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself
up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
 “For if you believed Moses,
you would believe Me; for he
wrote about Me.” (John 5:46)
What’s good about the Bible?
Jesus encouraged us to study it (John 5:39) and to believe
in it (v. 46).

It’s the Word inspired by God. It’s useful for teaching

(2 Timothy 3:16).
In matters of faith and doctrine, the Bible is above
tradition, experience, culture and reason. All of them
must be evaluated and analyzed with the Bible.

What’s bad about the Bible?

Nothing, as long as we are
always led by its author–the Holy
Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will never lead us
to a “truth” that goes against
anything He has revealed in the
Bible.