Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Upholding the Authority of Scripture
Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Guests: Stephen Nichols, Teaching Fellow at Ligonier Ministries and President of Reformation Bible College
Duration: Approximately 24 minutes

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Renewing Your Mind, host Nathan W. Bingham engages in a profound conversation with Stephen Nichols, focusing on the authority of Scripture—a cornerstone of Christian theology. The discussion delves into the historical challenges faced by the doctrine of biblical inerrancy and highlights the pivotal role played by theologians like R.C. Sproul in defending Scripture's authority.

The Importance of Bible Study

Timestamp [02:13]
Stephen Nichols underscores the significance of not just reading the Bible, but actively studying it. He recalls R.C. Sproul's emphasis on Bible study over mere reading:

"We must study the Bible... it is the word of God. It is holy... it is the holy, authoritative word of God."
— Stephen Nichols [02:13]

Nichols emphasizes that understanding Scripture deeply is essential because it is the infallible and authoritative word of God, shaping the believer's life and faith.

The Doctrine of Scriptural Authority: Inspiration and Inerrancy

Timestamp [03:27]
The conversation transitions to the key doctrines underpinning the authority of Scripture: inspiration and inerrancy.

• Inspiration:

  • God is the source of the Bible.
  • Scriptures are "God-breathed," utilizing human authors as instruments (vernacular inspiration).
  • Emphasizes verbal inspiration (every word is inspired) and plenary inspiration (all parts are inspired).

• Inerrancy:

  • The Bible is without error because it is divinely inspired.
  • Implies complete trustworthiness in all its teachings.

"Every word and all of the words are the word of God... it is inerrant, it is without error, and therefore it is entirely trustworthy."
— Stephen Nichols [00:06]

Nichols reinforces that these doctrines are foundational for maintaining the Bible's authority in the life of Christians.

Historical Attacks on Scriptural Authority

Timestamp [05:21]
Nichols outlines the historical challenges to Scripture's authority, particularly during the early 20th century with the rise of modernism and liberalism in the church and academia.

• Key Figures Opposing Inerrancy:
  • J. Gresham Machen
  • B.B. Warfield

These theologians championed the doctrines of inspiration and inerrancy against the tide of modernist thought, which tended to view Scripture as a human construct rather than the unequivocal word of God.

Timestamp [06:37]
Addressing critiques that Princeton theologians "invented" inerrancy, Nichols counters by tracing the doctrine back to the Church Fathers and scriptural affirmations:

"You can even push back and find that Scripture itself expresses authority... Again, we have it in the Fathers. Of course, we have it in the Reformation."
— Stephen Nichols [06:45]

He emphasizes that the belief in Scripture's authority is not a modern invention but has deep historical roots.

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

Timestamp [11:12]
Nichols discusses the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978), a seminal document affirming the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. Key points include:

• Five Core Points
• Nineteen Articles affirming and denying specific issues related to inerrancy.

Timestamp [12:58]
R.C. Sproul's pivotal role in the Chicago Statement is highlighted, tracing back to his earlier work:

• 1973 Ligonier Conference:
  • Sproul convened a conference focusing on inerrancy.
  • Presented the Ligonier Statement on Inerrancy, a precursor to the Chicago Statement.

"We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired and inerrant word of God... we submit ourselves unreservedly to this authoritative view of holy writ."
— Ligonier Statement on Inerrancy [14:00]

This bold affirmation set the stage for the broader evangelical commitment to scriptural authority in subsequent decades.

The Impact and Relevance Today

Timestamp [17:12]
The Chicago Statement's legacy is analyzed, emphasizing its role in unifying evangelicals around the doctrine of inerrancy:

"If the word of God errs, even in part, how can we trust it? And how do we know where it errs and where it doesn't?"
— Stephen Nichols [17:12]

Nichols notes that the statement galvanized a generation to steadfastly uphold Scripture's authority, a unity that remains challenging in contemporary evangelical circles.

Timestamp [19:57]
Addressing current challenges, Nichols references the Ligonier State of Theology survey, revealing a concerning trend:

"26% of professing evangelicals are stating that the Scriptures are not literally true."
— Nathan W. Bingham [19:57]

This shift underscores the urgent need to reaffirm the doctrines of inspiration and inerrancy to maintain theological integrity within the church.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by reiterating the practical importance of upholding Scripture's authority. Nathan W. Bingham and Stephen Nichols emphasize that defending inerrancy is not merely an academic exercise but crucial for the believer's faith and ministry.

"It is of immense practical importance. It is of importance for the life of the church. It is important for the life of the Christian."
— Stephen Nichols [21:34]

The discussion serves as a clarion call for Christians to deeply engage with Scripture, ensuring that their faith remains anchored in the unwavering truth of God's Word.

Final Note:
Listeners are encouraged to support Ligonier Ministries' mission to disseminate trustworthy Bible teaching worldwide. A special offer was mentioned for donating in exchange for a copy of the Reformation Study Bible, a comprehensive resource containing extensive theological notes and historical confessions.

This episode of Renewing Your Mind provides a compelling exploration of the authority of Scripture, bridging historical context with present-day relevance. It underscores the enduring need for rigorous biblical study and unwavering commitment to the doctrines that define evangelical Christianity.