Thomas Boston Works, vol. 1, ch. 3.3. The Scriptures the Book of the Lord, and the Diligent Study and Search Thereof Recommended and Urged Isaiah 34:16—”Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his… Read More The Importance of Studying Scripture
Thomas Boston Works, vol. 1, ch. 3.2. 1 Timothy 1:13—”Hold fast the form of sound words—in faith and love.“ In these words there is, (1) The character of scripture-doctrine; it is sound words; sound and pure in itself, and sound in its effects, being of a soul-healing virtue, Ezekiel 47:9. (2) The sum of it,… Read More The Scope of the Scriptures
Thomas Boston Works, vol. 1, ch. 3.1. Doctrine II. “The scriptures are the rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy God.“ Here I shall only give the properties of this rule. 1. Scripture is Clear. 1. It is a perspicuous or clear rule. For though all things in scripture are not alike… Read More Scripture: The Only Rule of Faith and Life
Thomas Boston Works, vol. 1, ch. 2. 2 Timothy 3:16—All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The next head which falls to be touched is the holy scripture, the rule which God has given to direct us how we may glorify… Read More The Divine Authority of the Scriptures
While the following excerpt is over a hundred years old, the substance of its criticisms remains highly relevant today. The modern Nestle-Aland and United Bible Societies texts continue to follow the flawed text critical assumptions and methodologies of Westcott and Hort. As D. A. Carson recently stated: “The theories of Westcott and Hort… [are] almost… Read More A Dialogue Between a Traditional Text Advocate and a Critical Text Advocate
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 1 Timothy 1:4 Dr.… Read More False Assumptions of Ancient Near East Literary Approaches to Genesis
The “floating tradition” argument against the authenticity of the Pericope Adulterae (PA), John 7:53-8:11, is summarized well by Bruce Metzger in 1964, “The pericope is obviously a piece of floating tradition which circulated in certain parts of the Western Church. It was subsequently inserted into various manuscripts at various places” (Text Of The New Testament,… Read More The Pericope Adulterae: A Floating Tradition?
How should we think about arguments regarding human authorship of certain passages or books of Scripture based on style and word choice? Here is an example of this argument against the authenticity of the Pericope Adulterae (John 7:53-8:11): “its writing style is very different from what we find in the rest of John (including the… Read More Textual Criticism: Stylistic Arguments
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture…” (Westminster Confession of Faith 1:6). What does this phrase mean and how may it be proved from Scripture? Westminster… Read More Are Only Explicit Scripture Proofs Valid?
Although “the authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God (1 Thes 2:13; 2 Tim… Read More The Authority of Scripture and the Testimony of the Church
