Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Pieper, 1968. Chapter B2, “Holy Scripture Identical with the Word of God”

Chapter B2, “Holy Scripture Identical with the Word of God”

Modern theology objects to the Early Church and the Reformation because of its dependence on Scripture. Identifying the “Word of God” with the writings of the Bible is seen in modern theology as an attempt on the part of theologians to grasp power by a claim of divine mandate. This position on Scriptural authority is taken unapologetically by the Apostles, by the Reformers, and by the Scripture itself.

Pieper discusses and illustrates how the Old Testament is used extensively within the New Testament and is considered God’s Word. He also illustrates New Testament statements which equate other parts of the New Testament with God’s authoritative word. The Reformers, especially Luther, took a very high view of the Bible, affirming that their writings were true only insofar as they agreed with the Bible. Pieper’s conclusion is that just as the apostles were considered mere men by their critics since they appeared perfectly normal, so the Bible is considered by its critics to be a normal, human book. Yet he will defend the Scriptures as the very Word of God.

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