Clarity of scripture
Encyclopedia
The doctrine
of the clarity of Scripture (often called the perspicuity of Scripture) is a Protestant Christian position teaching that "the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and, therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly." Clarity of scripture is an important doctrinal and Biblical interpretive principle for many evangelical
Christians. Perspicuity of scripture does not imply that people will receive it for what it is, as many adherents to the doctrine of perspicuity of scripture accept the Calvinist
teaching that man is depraved
and needs the illumination of the Holy Spirit
in order to see the meaning for what it is. Martin Luther
advocated the clearness of scripture in his work On the Bondage of the Will
. Jacobus Arminius
argued for the perspicuity of scripture by name in The Perspicuity of the Scriptures.
This doctrine is in contrast to other Christian positions like that of Augustine
, who wrote in Against the Epistle of Manichaeus that he "should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church." and in On Christian Doctrine, says "Let the reader consult the rule of faith which he has gathered from the plainer passages of Scripture, and from the authority of the Church…" Vincent of Lérins
concurs, "Therefore, it is very necessary, on account of so great intricacies of such various error, that the rule for the right understanding of the prophets and apostles should be framed in accordance with the standard of Ecclesiastical and Catholic interpretation." The doctrine can also be contrasted by positions which assert that subjective experience should be preferred over knowing the originally intended meaning of scripture, since it is basically unclear.
Finally, the doctrine is contrasted with the more literalist idea that "scientific exegesis" is unnecessary.
hold that the Bible presents all doctrines and commands of the Christian faith clearly. God's Word is freely accessible to every reader or hearer of ordinary intelligence, without requiring any special education. Of course, one must understand the language God's Word is presented in, and not be so preoccupied by contrary thoughts so as to prevent understanding. As a result of this, no one needs to wait for any clergy, and pope
, scholar, or ecumenical council
to explain the real meaning of any part of the Bible.
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
of the clarity of Scripture (often called the perspicuity of Scripture) is a Protestant Christian position teaching that "the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and, therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly." Clarity of scripture is an important doctrinal and Biblical interpretive principle for many evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Christians. Perspicuity of scripture does not imply that people will receive it for what it is, as many adherents to the doctrine of perspicuity of scripture accept the Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
teaching that man is depraved
Total depravity
Total depravity is a theological doctrine that derives from the Augustinian concept of original sin...
and needs the illumination of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
in order to see the meaning for what it is. Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
advocated the clearness of scripture in his work On the Bondage of the Will
On the Bondage of the Will
On the Bondage of the Will , by Martin Luther, was published in December 1525. It was his reply to Desiderius Erasmus's De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio or On Free Will, which had appeared in September 1524 as Erasmus's first public attack on Luther, after being wary about the methods of...
. Jacobus Arminius
Jacobus Arminius
Jacobus Arminius , the Latinized name of the Dutch theologian Jakob Hermanszoon from the Protestant Reformation period, served from 1603 as professor in theology at the University of Leiden...
argued for the perspicuity of scripture by name in The Perspicuity of the Scriptures.
This doctrine is in contrast to other Christian positions like that of Augustine
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
, who wrote in Against the Epistle of Manichaeus that he "should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church." and in On Christian Doctrine, says "Let the reader consult the rule of faith which he has gathered from the plainer passages of Scripture, and from the authority of the Church…" Vincent of Lérins
Vincent of Lérins
Saint Vincent of Lérins was a Gallic author of early Christian writings.In earlier life he had been engaged in secular pursuits, whether civil or military is not clear, though the term he uses, "secularis militia," might possibly imply the latter...
concurs, "Therefore, it is very necessary, on account of so great intricacies of such various error, that the rule for the right understanding of the prophets and apostles should be framed in accordance with the standard of Ecclesiastical and Catholic interpretation." The doctrine can also be contrasted by positions which assert that subjective experience should be preferred over knowing the originally intended meaning of scripture, since it is basically unclear.
Finally, the doctrine is contrasted with the more literalist idea that "scientific exegesis" is unnecessary.
In Lutheranism
LutheransLutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
hold that the Bible presents all doctrines and commands of the Christian faith clearly. God's Word is freely accessible to every reader or hearer of ordinary intelligence, without requiring any special education. Of course, one must understand the language God's Word is presented in, and not be so preoccupied by contrary thoughts so as to prevent understanding. As a result of this, no one needs to wait for any clergy, and pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, scholar, or ecumenical council
Ecumenical council
An ecumenical council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice....
to explain the real meaning of any part of the Bible.
External links
- Clarity of Scripture on Theopedia