One of the defining moments of the Reformation came when Martin Luther stood before the Diet of Worms in 1521, facing pressure to recant his teachings. His response echoed through the ages: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason—for I trust neither do popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God.”
With these words, Luther crystallized a foundational truth of the Reformation: Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is the ultimate authority for the Christian life.
But why is Scripture alone sufficient? For those new to Reformed theology, understanding Sola Scriptura isn’t just a matter of historical interest—it’s essential to living a life grounded in biblical truth.
Scripture Alone as the Final Authority
At the heart of Sola Scriptura is the conviction that God’s Word alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. According to the London Baptist Confession of Faith (LBCF), “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.” (LBCF 1.1). This means that no tradition, no council, and no human authority can rise above Scripture.
The doctrine of Sola Scriptura doesn’t discard tradition but places it in its proper place—under the authority of God’s Word. The London Baptist Confession reminds us that “The authority of the Holy Scripture… depends not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.” (LBCF 1.4). This principle ensures that the Bible governs the church, not the other way around.
Scripture’s Sufficiency and Clarity
Sola Scriptura also speaks to the sufficiency of Scripture. Scripture contains everything necessary for salvation and Christian living. As the LBCF notes, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture.” (LBCF 1.6).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes this clear when Paul writes, “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 complete, equipped for every good work.” Scripture is described as making the believer “complete,” signifying that nothing else is required to equip us for the Christian life.
Moreover, the clarity (or perspicuity) of Scripture means that it can be understood by all. While some parts of Scripture may require diligent study, the essential truths concerning salvation are accessible to everyone.
The LBCF affirms, “Those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.” (LBCF 1.7).
This clarity was crucial during the Reformation. The medieval church had asserted that Scripture was too complex for laypeople to understand without the guidance of the clergy. However, the Reformers insisted that Scripture was meant for all believers, not just the religious elite. As Luther famously translated the Bible into German, he empowered ordinary Christians to read and understand the Bible for themselves.
The Reformation and the Return to Scripture
At its core, the Reformation was a return to the authority of Scripture. The Roman Catholic Church had elevated tradition and papal authority to a level that eclipsed the authority of God’s Word. Practices like the selling of indulgences, where salvation was essentially being bought, were justified by these non-biblical traditions.
Martin Luther’s bold stand against such abuses was deeply rooted in his belief in Sola Scriptura. As he put it, “A simple layman armed with Scripture is to be believed above a pope or a council without it.” This conviction would ultimately lead to his break from Rome, but more importantly, it sparked a global return to the Bible as the church’s highest authority.
The London Baptist Confession of Faith echoes this reformational truth, stating, “In all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them [the Scriptures]” (LBCF 1.8). The Reformers recognized that the church can err, but God’s Word never will.
Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Sufficiency of Scripture
To fully grasp the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, one must understand three key aspects of the doctrine of Scripture: its inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency.
- Inspiration: Scripture is “God-breathed,” meaning that its words come directly from God, though written by human authors. 2 Peter 1:21 reminds us, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” This divine authorship gives the Bible its authority. The LBCF affirms this, declaring, “All the books of the Old and New Testaments… are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.” (LBCF 1.2).
- Inerrancy: Because Scripture comes from God, who is perfect, it is without error. Jesus Himself declared in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” The LBCF affirms that “the Scriptures are of divine authority, and in all controversies of religion the Church is finally to appeal to them.” (LBCF 1.10).
- Sufficiency: The sufficiency of Scripture means that the Bible contains everything necessary for salvation and for living a godly life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 clearly states, “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 complete, equipped for every good work.”
These three principles form the foundation for understanding why Scripture alone is sufficient for the Christian life.
Living Out Sola Scriptura: Practical Implications
Sola Scriptura has profound implications for how we live out our faith. If Scripture is the ultimate authority, it must shape every aspect of our lives. As Psalm 1:2 says, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night.” Our relationship with God’s Word should be central to our daily walk with Christ.
Moreover, Sola Scriptura challenges us to test every teaching and practice against the Bible. In a world filled with competing ideologies, we must be like the Bereans, who “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). This means holding everything—whether it’s a church tradition, a cultural norm, or a personal conviction—up to the light of God’s Word.
Finally, Sola Scriptura calls us to reject any teaching or tradition that contradicts Scripture. The Bible is its own best interpreter, and anything that deviates from its clear teaching must be set aside.
Conclusion: Trusting in the Sufficiency of Scripture
Sola Scriptura answers the question, “Is Scripture enough?” with a definitive yes. As the London Baptist Confession of Faith and the Reformers have taught us, Scripture is our only sufficient, infallible guide in all matters of faith and life.
John Owen is noted for saying, “If private revelations agree with Scripture, they are needless, and if they disagree, they are false.” In a world eager to supplement or supplant the authority of Scripture, we must remain steadfast in the truth that God’s Word suffices.
