Scriptures Only Necessary?

[Rolfe]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

Ed. to add: The question was prompted by something read in a three-year-old thread.

 

[Greektim]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

Is the Holy Spirit included in outside teaching?

 

[InTheLight]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

I'll answer the part of your question directed to books in the form of a question: "Were there mature and godly Christians before the invention of the printing press?" Obviously, yes, there were.

As to no access to outside teaching, yes, I think it would be possible for someone to become a mature and godly Christian with nothing except scriptures as guidance (with help from the Holy Spirit, of course.)

 

[Rolfe]

Is the Holy Spirit included in outside teaching?

No. The One Who inspired the Scriptures is not included. Good point.

 

[blessedwife318]

Yes, assuming that they were saved then of course with only the Scripture to Study they could become mature. In fact I think i would go so far as to say that the American church would not be where it is if we study the Bible more and read less books about the Bible.

 

[Rolfe]

In fact I think i would go so far as to say that the American church would not be where it is if we study the Bible more and read less books about the Bible.

Second that. :thumbs:

 

[robustheologian]

I believe so if they are aided by the Holy Spirit AND actually reads it...not the scattered, out-of-context verse picking.

 

[PreachTony]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

The scriptures are the Word of God; they are sufficient to teach a saved person how to be a mature, Godly Christian. That said, a person must hear the preached word of God first to be saved.

 

[Baptist Believer]

No. The One Who inspired the Scriptures is not included. Good point.

Absolutely not. No one could become "a mature and Godly Christian" outside of the work of the Holy Spirit. The scripture by itself is useless in that regard. The human mind/character is helpless without the Spirit.

Knowledge does not make anyone mature or Godly.

You may say, 'Of course the work of the Spirit is essential to Christian growth, I'm just talking about eliminating the teaching aspect of the Spirit's ministry.'

Sorry, you can't eliminate the teaching aspect of the Spirit's ministry because that is an essential part of growing in grace - the transformation of the mind. If anyone is going to have mastery over sin and receive the empowering and transforming graces of God so as to become "a mature and Godly Christian," they must be taught of the Spirit. Strangely enough, having access to scripture is secondary in this regard. Scripture is food for the mind, soul and spirit, but God can work without it if necessary.

 

[blessedwife318]

Absolutely not. No one could become "a mature and Godly Christian" outside of the work of the Holy Spirit. The scripture by itself is useless in that regard. The human mind/character is helpless without the Spirit.

Knowledge does not make anyone mature or Godly.

You may say, 'Of course the work of the Spirit is essential to Christian growth, I'm just talking about eliminating the teaching aspect of the Spirit's ministry.'

Sorry, you can't eliminate the teaching aspect of the Spirit's ministry because that is an essential part of growing in grace - the transformation of the mind. If anyone is going to have mastery over sin and receive the empowering and transforming graces of God so as to become "a mature and Godly Christian," they must be taught of the Spirit. Strangely enough, having access to scripture is secondary in this regard. Scripture is food for the mind, soul and spirit, but God can work without it if necessary.

I think the OP was saying that the Holy Spirit was not included as Outside Influence, meaning that while reading the Bible you would have the Holy Spirit Illuminated the Scriptures for you assuming that you are Saved.

 

[DHK]

Look to some of the leaders of the past.
It doesn't seem that John Bunyan had much of an education. He was the son of a tinker. Leaving that he joined the army. After the army he led, for a time, a rather care-free life until he got married. His wife had only two books. One biographer says that he had to learn again how to read. That was in 1648, following a spiritual battle which lasted four years.
John Gifford helped him find that peace, probably around 1652. He joined his church in 1653, was baptized in 1655 and began to preach in 1656.
In 1658 he was indicted though not yet jailed.
In 1660 he was jailed for the next 12 years for preaching without a licence.
He had little education but was a powerful preacher. Now he had two books--the Bible and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. During this time he wrote "Pilgrim's Progress," which for many years was the worlds best selling book, next to the Bible.
For all intents and purposes the only resource that Bunyan ever had was the Bible. He didn't have much access to anything else. That is why he was such a great preacher. Prayer plus Bible.

 

[Baptist Believer]

I think the OP was saying that the Holy Spirit was not included as Outside Influence, meaning that while reading the Bible you would have the Holy Spirit Illuminated the Scriptures for you assuming that you are Saved.

Okay, thanks. I misunderstood his clarification. I assumed he was asking the question to discern if responders had elevated the scripture to deity, as in common in our circles.

 

[blessedwife318]

Okay, thanks. I misunderstood his clarification. I assumed he was asking the question to discern if responders had elevated the scripture to deity, as in common in our circles.

I was a little confused by is statement as well until i reread the first couple of post.

 

[Rolfe]

Baptist Believer, Blessedwife- I see now that I was not clear. My question was aimed at extrabiblical media only.

 

[righteousdude2]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

Ed. to add: The question was prompted by something read in a three-year-old thread.

I can't see why not. The Bible is pretty self-explanatory, brother. There is no beating around the bush when it comes to the Scripture. The problem comes when mankind and academia try to involve their doctrines and understandings, and then comes confusion and division!

But, more importantly, I'd love to know what you think. You asked the question so you must have some idea as to what you hoped to gain in the comments to be made?

 

[OldRegular]

Hypothetical question: If someone had only the Scriptures, and no other books or access to outside teaching, would it be possible for them to become a mature and godly Christian?

Ed. to add: The question was prompted by something read in a three-year-old thread.

Yes, assuming he is a true believer! Being a true believer he is promised the aid of the Holy Spirit!

 

[DHK]

Yes, assuming he is a true believer! Being a true believer he is promised the aid of the Holy Spirit!

Hudson Taylor was an unbeliever. He picked up a tract, read it, thought about it, and then trusted the Lord and was saved.

 

[Rolfe]

But, more importantly, I'd love to know what you think. You asked the question so you must have some idea as to what you hoped to gain in the comments to be made?

I think that the Scriptures are sufficient by itself without other media.

What had I hoped to gain? Satisfied curiosity.

 

[Yeshua1]

Hudson Taylor was an unbeliever. He picked up a tract, read it, thought about it, and then trusted the Lord and was saved.

The Holy Spirit openned his heart and mind unto Jesus, and he was saved by the Providence of God getting him that material at that time...

 

[OldRegular]

It is always worthwhile to see what Scripture has to say about the Word of God.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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