Simple Sunday: The Authority of Scripture

"The authority of Scripture seemed to me all the more revered and worthy of devout belief because, although it was visible for all to read, it reserved the full majesty of its secret wisdom within its spiritual profundity. While it stooped to all in the great plainness of its language and simplicity of style, it yet required the closest attention of the most serious-minded--so that it might receive all into its common bosom, and direct some few through its narrow passages toward Thee, yet many more than would have been the case had there not been in it such a lofty authority, which nevertheless alluded multitudes to its bosom by its holy humility." - St. Augustine, Confessions 

Wordy, I know, but this is what I am meditating through this weekend...unpacking what the authority of Scripture means to me.

I know that I submit to it, I know that I believe it is the final word on matters. I know that it is God inspired... But what does it practically look like to say, "My authority is the benchmark of Holy Scripture"?

For Augustine, it seems clear that as he searched for truth about God he was unable to get past these key characteristics of the Bible. This book, and the church's teachings continued to draw him in ever more and more. It was simple yet hard, easy to comprehend, yet deep enough to require days on end to process.

What about you? What are your core convictions about Scripture? What passages have you read and they have just stuck with you ever since? 

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Nathan Bryant

is a pastor living in Phoenix, AZ. As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology. Nathan has a combined passion for unity and discipleship in the global church.

Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.

Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.

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