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The Bible, considered the infallible Word of God by evangelical Christians, stands as a complete and authoritative text central to Christian faith. This article delves into how we perceive and affirm the Bible’s completeness, guided by rigorous biblical hermeneutics and grounded in Scripture itself.

Historical Affirmation of Biblical Canon

The formation of the biblical canon marks a crucial point in establishing the completeness of the Scriptures. By the end of the 4th century C.E., the Church had recognized the current 66 books of the Bible as canonical, meaning they are divinely inspired and authoritative. The Councils of Hippo (393 C.E.) and Carthage (397 C.E.) affirmed the New Testament canon, echoing the widespread consensus of the books’ divine authority among early Christians.

Scriptural endorsement of its completeness is found in Revelation 22:18-19, where it warns against adding to or taking away from the words of the prophetic book. Similarly, Deuteronomy 4:2 emphasizes not adding to or subtracting from God’s commandments, reinforcing a theological boundary around the received texts.

Theological Grounding for the Bible’s Completeness

The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is foundational to evangelical theology. It asserts that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and godly living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This passage underlines the Bible’s role as a comprehensive guide for faith and practice, indicating its completeness in terms of spiritual instruction and moral guidance.

Further, the Bible’s self-authentication is supported by passages like Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” This verse, along with 1 Peter 1:25, which echoes the sentiment, underscores the eternal and unchanging nature of God’s Word, arguing against the need for additional revelations.

Hermeneutical Practices Affirming Scriptural Completeness

Biblical hermeneutics involves interpreting scriptural texts with an aim to understand their true meaning as intended by the original authors, and subsequently, as God’s communication to humanity. A conservative evangelical approach typically engages a literal interpretation where the Bible is read in its plain, straightforward sense unless the text clearly indicates otherwise.

This method respects the historical and grammatical context of Scripture, recognizing the genres and literary devices present. For example, the creation account in Genesis is often understood literally by conservative scholars, who argue that this approach aligns with the text’s presentation as historical narrative, thus affirming the Bible’s authoritative account of origins and dismissing the need for extra-biblical theories.

Scriptural Evidence of Its Own Completeness

Jesus’ affirmation of the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative in Matthew 5:18, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished,” asserts the enduring authority and completeness of the Scriptures. This claim is foundational for affirming the sufficiency and completeness of the Old Testament, which Jesus upheld throughout His ministry.

Moreover, the New Testament writers recognized the Scriptures as complete in their authoritative reference to the Old Testament writings. Peter’s classification of Paul’s letters as Scripture in 2 Peter 3:15-16 also supports the view that the early church recognized the completeness and canon of New Testament writings alongside the Old.

Final Reflections on the Biblical Witness

The concept of the Bible’s completeness is not just a theological assertion but is deeply rooted in the text of the Bible itself and in the historical practice of the Church. Its role as the final authority on matters of faith and life, its internal testimonies to sufficiency, and the historical acknowledgment of its canon all testify to its completeness. Thus, as students of the Word, the task is not to seek additional revelations but to delve deeper into the profound depths of the revelation already given. This study invites believers to engage with the Scriptures wholeheartedly, trusting in their God-given completeness for guidance, instruction, and spiritual nourishment.

The richness of biblical text supports the notion of its completeness through various thematic, prophetic, and covenantal continuities that demonstrate a divine orchestration. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, presents a unified narrative of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which affirms the coherence and completeness of the Scriptures.

Integrity of Scriptural Text

The textual integrity of the Bible further supports its completeness. Throughout history, the meticulous transmission of manuscripts by scribes, particularly seen in the Jewish tradition of the Masoretes (circa 500-1000 C.E.), ensured the Scriptures were copied with extreme precision. This careful preservation process highlights the trustworthiness and completeness of the biblical texts as they have been handed down through the centuries.

Psalms 119:160 states, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” This verse not only speaks to the integrity of God’s words but also to their enduring nature, which suggests a complete and sufficient guide for all generations.

Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding Scripture

The work of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers to understand Scripture is crucial in evangelical belief. John 16:13 explains, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” This assurance underscores the belief that the Bible, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, provides all necessary truth that followers of Christ need for knowing God and living according to His will.

This divine guidance is integral to understanding the Bible’s application to all areas of life and supports the doctrine of its sufficiency and completeness. Believers are thus equipped to discern truth and apply biblical principles, reinforcing the self-sufficiency of the Scriptures without needing external texts or revelations.

There is no indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are guided by the Spirit inspired Word of God. The words translated “understand” in 1 Corinthians 2:12 and 14 are best understood as meaning something other than simply acquiring a correct mental grasp of meaning. They refer rather to embracing these biblical truths as true. It is probably best to see the expressions “does not accept,” “folly,” and “not able to understand” as referring to various ways in which the unbeliever critiques the divine revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not mean the unbeliever cannot understand the Bible without the Holy Spirit. It means the unbeliever sees it as foolish and rejects its truths.

Consistency and Unity Across Testaments

The seamless narrative that connects the Old and New Testaments further affirms the Bible’s completeness. The Old Testament sets the stage for the coming Messiah, which the New Testament fulfills. Luke 24:44 emphasizes this, as Jesus explains that everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled. This fulfillment is not just a matter of prophecy but also includes the typological and symbolic prefigurations found throughout the Old Testament, which find their realization in the New Testament.

The Apostle Paul in Romans 15:4 notes that “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” This passage not only highlights the instructive purpose of the Scriptures but also their designed completeness to equip believers for every aspect of living a hopeful and enduring life in faith.

Continual Relevance and Authority

Finally, the Bible’s authority and relevance are enduring, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,” capable of judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This active and penetrating quality of the Scriptures suggests that they remain complete and sufficient for teaching, convicting, correcting, and training in righteousness across all ages and cultures.

As the world evolves, the Bible remains a steadfast source of truth, its teachings as applicable today as they were when first written. This timeless relevance is a hallmark of its divine inspiration and a testament to its complete and unaltered truth, which guides believers in all aspects of life and spirituality. Thus, the study of this sacred text is not merely an academic exercise but a profound engagement with God’s definitive revelation to humanity.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).