This post by Chris Anderson comes from The Scandal of Schism, a new book available now for preorder. Learn more ≫
I was a schismatic during my early years in pastoral ministry. That wasn’t my goal, mind you. I loved Christ, and I was committed to the Scriptures. I was just mistaken regarding what the Bible required of me. I considered my eagerness to separate—even from others who believed, taught, and tried to obey Scripture—to be a virtue.
One of the key concepts that has helped me turn from my divisive spirit is the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. The doctrinal statements of the churches I’ve pastored use language like this: “We believe that the Bible is our only rule of faith and practice.” Traditionally, that teaching has been referred to as sola scriptura—the first of the five solas of the Protestant Reformation.
Protestants don’t believe in Jesus-plus, faith-plus, or grace-plus. We believe that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for God’s glory alone. And all of that right doctrine grows out of the Scriptures—alone.
The Bible: Our Bedrock Foundation
Bob Kauflin and I wrote about the doctrine of sola scriptura in our 2017 song “Reformation Hymn,” written in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This is what we believe, celebrate, and sing about:
“We will trust God’s Word alone, where His perfect will is known;
Our traditions shift like sand while His Truth forever stands.”
Human traditions are sand. Human opinions are sand. Human rules are sand. Scripture alone is the rock—the unshakable and authoritative foundation. The entirety of the Christian faith rests on this truth. The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is not one we can surrender, even unintentionally, without drastic consequences.
We Cannot Add to Scripture
We would be horrified if someone were to stand in the pulpit and rip out pages of the Bible. But we should be equally horrified when someone stands in the pulpit and adds to Scripture. The doctrine of Scripture’s sufficiency precludes our supplementing the Bible, whether the addition is a Papal Bull, the Koran, the Book of Mormon, or insistence on our personal preferences.
There is an “inner Pharisee” in each of us. We are all tempted to elevate our personal convictions and standards to the level of Scripture—practically, if not formally. Christ’s verdict on the Pharisees’ habit of adding to the Word of God is one we should heed. Quoting Isaiah 29:13, Jesus concludes, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9). Treating our extrabiblical preferences as though they were biblical doctrine reveals hearts that are far from God. That’s sobering.
Treating our extrabiblical preferences as though they were biblical doctrine reveals hearts that are far from God.
If we are ever going to see the schismatic fractures within the body of Christ begin to heal, we must renew our commitment to the authority—and sufficiency—of Scripture.
Explore the New book!
In The Scandal of Schism, Chris Anderson draws from personal experience and biblical truth to tackle the pervasive issue of schismatic division within the church. Gain understanding of historical and contemporary causes of schism. Discover a pathway to reconciliation and biblical unity.
