The single most important rediscovery in the last millennium took place in the Reformation. Sadly, this rediscovery is quickly being reforgotten again. The early reformers and reformers rediscovered many things, but the one great rediscovery that undergirded them all was what is commonly called sola scriptura (Scripture Alone).

The Lexham Glossary of Theology defines it as, “A Latin phrase meaning ‘Scripture alone.’ The phrase reflects a key principle of the Reformation, the idea that Scripture alone is authoritative for Christian doctrine, not Scripture plus church tradition.” I call this the greatest rediscovery for two reasons; (1) because for centuries the truth of God’s Word had been put under lock and key by the Papal system, and (2) because the rest of the theological corrections of the Reformation through to today are based upon the principle of sola scriptura.

However, as much as this glorious truth was rediscovered half a millennium ago, it is my contention that much of the theologically reformed-minded church today, while giving verbal and confessional assent to this doctrine, is denying it in practice.

This theological principle in practice within the church ought to lead to the church conducting all of its affairs in keeping with the Word of God and its principles. Yet, is it not sadly true that all too frequently scriptural principles are sacrificed on the altar of secondary documents like church polity, child protection policy, and health & safety procedures? When something goes wrong in the church, God forbid, how lamentable it is that the first thought that pops into the heads of our leaders is what their governing documents state, rather than what the Word of God requires. Biblical requirements for reconciliation, church discipline according to Mt 18, and restoring aggrieved parties are set aside because some secondary document requires us to follow a plan according to its fallible author’s wisdom while ignoring the infallible wisdom of the Word of God. Now don’t hear me saying that we should throw out creeds, confessions, or even policy, but rather we must always acknowledge that they are subservient to the Scriptures and ought to be burnt when they are in contradiction to the Scriptures, even if it means we are “out of order.”

Another example of this is the way many of the elders of our churches carry out their work. Alas, how common it is to see rooms filled with men in meetings with confessions, creeds, and polity books on their tables, and yet the Word of God nowhere to be seen. Week after week, elders gather together in little rooms to discuss the needs of the flock, and yet, apart from a brief devotion at the beginning of the meeting, there is no discussion of how the Word of God addresses the situation. Pastoral visitation occurs, and the sheep pour forth their hearts and their spiritual needs, yet the medicine they receive from elders is nothing but the wisdom and logic of a man and not the infallible spiritual medicine of God.

The Westminster Divines were correct, “The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture.”¹ We gladly say we agree. However, does our practise deny our creed? May the Lord bring another rediscovery of the authority, sufficiency, and centrality of the Word of God in all matters for the Church today.

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, 1.6. ↩︎