The Authority of Scripture: Theme #2 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Nov 3

Nov 3 The Authority of Scripture: Theme #2 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Every day millions of people follow directions given to them by GPS. We are guided to our desired destinations by electronic maps. We input searches into these maps to know where to go for food and lodging and many other things. Without maps to guide us, or someone to give us directions, we would be lost.

However, Google maps cannot take you to God. This is why we need the Bible, God’s Word, the Scriptures. It is “the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy” God (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A 2). We do have an authoritative and accurate guide to direct us how we should live. “The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (Q&A 3).

God not only made us, but he gave us a magnificent purpose in life: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Where the world portrays Christianity as dull, the Bible presents true religion as joyful, delighting in the Lord! “Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful” (Ps. 33:1). The Artist who created the beauty of our world invites us to seek his face and gaze on his beauty (Ps. 27). How can we do this? The Bible directs us! It is our authoritative, necessary, and clear guide, showing us what to do and how to live.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). If you can imagine hiking in the dark, a lamp for your feet allows you to see what is directly ahead of you, so you do not trip on a root or step on a snake. A light for your path allows you to see what is down the road. The Bible guides us in both the long and short term.

Speaking of a path, the Scriptures are called our “canon,” our rule of faith and practice. We “walk by this rule” (Gal. 6:16). In the Greek athletic games (think of the Olympics), each runner had a lane marked out for them by a line—a canon (Greek: κανών). God marks out a path for us in his Word—he shows us how to know, glorify, enjoy, obey, serve, and praise Him.

But it is not as though the Scriptures are a map God gave once to mankind and now leaves us to read it on our own. Though there are no updates (unlike our GPS maps) and the canon is “closed” (Rev. 22:18-19), God still speaks through Scripture as the Holy Spirit makes the Word effectual to produce faith in us, to convict us, build us up, and comfort us. Because God lives and does powerful things through his Word, the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Likewise, we are dependent on God to read and understand his Word: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18).

God transforms sinners through his powerful word. He changes lives as we embrace Christ as he is freely offered to us in the gospel. Faith comes and grows by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). The Spirit of God uses the Word to make us more faithful disciples, who love and obey his Word—we become more and more those who are doers of his word (James 1:22).

The Shorter Catechism is itself derived from God’s Word—it is a faithful summary of what Scripture teaches. Like other creeds, confessions, and catechisms, it points us back to the Word—for example noting in Q&A 88 that the Word is a means of grace, a means “whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.” Then Q&A 89 and 90 explain further how God’s Word saves us and builds us up as disciples.

I am old enough to remember the days before most people had a GPS enabled phone. I can recall struggling to understand a map and getting very lost. I can also remember one time making the split-second decision in the car to disregard the directions of my GPS, which would have had me go off a small cliff onto a dirt road. At least it did not direct me to drive into a lake, as in one popular comedy sketch. The point is this: in this life, many guides are full of errors and mistakes and will lead you astray. God’s Word will never fail us. It is completely trustworthy and reliable, it is inerrant and inspired by God himself.

Where would we be without God’s Word? Truly lost.