The Authority of Scripture

Through the words of Paul's second letter to his beloved disciple, Timothy, God states:  

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

These words boldly stress the divine origin and thus the authority of Scripture.  Paul does not point to the human authors of Scripture as inspired people but says that the writings themselves are the words spoken (“breathed out”) by God!  Why is Paul addressing the origin and authority of Scripture?  It seems that Paul and Timothy's opponents (false teachers) stressed certain aspect or portions of Scripture and Paul stresses the authoritativeness of all of Scripture.  Because Scripture comes from God himself, “all” of it is profitable in a range of ways, ultimately leading to righteousness. 

Another author, almost 1800 years later addressed the question of the authority of Scripture from a much different lens.  America's 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, in making good on a promise to a friend to summarize his views on Christianity set to work with scissors, snipping out every miracle and "inconsistency" he could find in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Then, using a cut-and-paste technique, he reassembled the excerpts into what he believed was a more coherent narrative and pasted them onto blank paper.  

In a letter dispatched from Monticello to John Adams in 1813, Jefferson said his "wee little book" of 46 pages was based on a lifetime of inquiry and reflection and contained "the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man."  He called the book "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth." Friends dubbed it "The Jefferson Bible."  

Jefferson said, "I have performed the operation for my own use," he continued, "by cutting verse by verse out of the printed book, and arranging the matter, which is evidently his and which is as easily distinguished as diamonds in a dunghill."

Percival Everett, commenting on Jefferson's editing of the Bible said, "He decided that the rules of the club to which he wished to belong were not the rules he wanted to play by. So instead of changing clubs, he changed the rule book by literally cutting and pasting together only the sections that he found relevant to his interpretation."

What an offensive and sinful view of God's Word, that "diamonds" must be dug out of a "dunghill"!  Jefferson attempted to  nullify God's authority of writing and binding together Scripture because of what he believed in an attempt to create his own god.  What a weak and worthless god Jefferson worshiped once we reduced the God who created the universe to one of his ignorant and worldly liking.  Yet, are we much better than Jefferson when we pick up the Holy Scriptures? 

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 

1 Timothy 2:8-14 

These words are weighty for any woman, especially one called to ministry.  I continue to find myself faced with the question: How do I handle this passage of Scripture?   In a culture breathing liberal and feminist air, what should I do in response to "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quit"?  Should I respond as God commanded through Paul, that I am meant to be taught, corrected, and trained by these words?  Or shall I follow in Jefferson's footsteps and get out my scissors -- snip -- snip -- snip -- choosing what I want or don't want to view as authoritative? 

Each of us make this decision every time we open the Bible.  Today, many churches and ministries choose to ignore or personally interpret 1 Timothy 2:8-14.  When God's Word is disregarded and a woman is given the authority to corporately teach from the Scriptures to men, a stance is not just taken on gender roles or personal liberties - but a stance is taken on the authority of the Holy Scriptures.  (There is much more to this conversation about a woman's role in ministry which I will not breach today.  Currently, my focus is on the foundational issue: one's view of the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.)

As John Frame says, "Since the Word is powerful, it never leaves you the same."  Therefore, we are either changed in accordance with 2 Timothy 3:16 or we are hardened against it.  I pray that I never, by God's grace, follow in Jefferson's footsteps as I read 1 Timothy 2:8-14 or any other passage of Scripture!   I pray that God will guide me as as I seek the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.