Do we need anything besides Scripture for life or doctrine? Do we need modern psychology to instruct us in certain situations?

Teaching Notes:

The Sufficiency Of Scripture

Definition: The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contains all the words of God we need for salvation, and for trusting and obeying God perfectly.

1.  Salvation: 2Tim.3:15 (see also James 1:18 and 1Pet.1:23)

2.  Every Good Work: 2Tim.3:17.  If there is any “good work” that God wants us to do, He has made provision in His Word for training us in it.  There is no “good work” that God wants us to do other than those that are taught somewhere in Scripture.  Ps.119:1.  Those who are blameless are those who walk in the law of the Lord.  All God requires of us is recorded in His written Word:  to do all that God commands is to be blameless in God’s sight.  To be morally perfect in God’s sight, what must we do in addition to what God commands us in Scripture?  Nothing!

We differ from Roman Catholic theologians. They say we have not found all that God says to us about any particular subject until we have also listened to the official teaching of the church throughout its history.  Although the history of the church may help us understand what God says to us in the Bible, never does it add to the teachings of Scripture.

Application:

1.  The Bible is Sufficient All By Itself: Don’t add to Scripture or consider other writings of equal value to Scripture:  almost all cults and sects violate this principle.  Mormons – the Book of Mormon.  Christian Scientists – Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.  Ellen G. White’s writings, William Brannam.  Also could apply to those that assert with great confidence new ideas about God or heaven, basing their teachings on claimed experiences of dying and coming back to life.  How much time do you spend in the Word, vs. other books (even “Christian” books).

2.  The Bible is Sufficient to Provide Counsel for our Problems: Don’t’ resort to psychology!  integrationists in counseling mix Scripture with modern psychological methods in order to counsel others.  These methods stem from many sources, often contradicting one another.  Theories are often from a humanistic and atheistic base.  Sigmund Froyd, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers.  They often contradict one another

3.  The Bible is Sufficient Apart from Modern Day Revelations: Don’t receive any modern revelations from God on the same level as Scripture in authority.

4.  The Bible is Sufficient to Reveal What is Sin: Don’t go beyond Scripture when deciding what is and is not sin.  Examples:  sin to drink alcohol, boys & girls to swim in same pool, playing cards, dancing, sports, television, going to movies, smoking, men having long hair, rock music.

5.  The Bible is Sufficient to Reveal what God wants you to do: If someone tells you that you must do x, y, and z in order to be pleasing to God, but those things are not recorded in Scripture, don’t believe them!  Moonies – sell flowers, 4 hrs. sleep.  JW’s – go door to door so many hours week.  Mormons – abstain from soft drinks, coffee & tea.  Muslim – fast one month out of 12, visit Mecca, pray 5x a day.