From Jesus to Scripture: How Christ Instituted the Bible
I. The Bible Is Authoritative in ...
Catholics: ... belonging to the Church
Lutherans: ... proclaiming justification by grace through faith
Calvinists: ... bearing "the internal witness of the Holy Spirit"
Fundamentalists: ... possessing theological, historical, scientific reliability
Telf: ... being uniquely fulfilled, instituted, and authorized by Jesus Christ
II. From Jesus to Scripture Red letters: Jesus' words are the Word of God in human words (1 Cor. 7:25)
Just red letters? No: Jesus often speaks (Israel's) Scriptures Jesus speaks Israel's Scriptures as his canon ("rule") (Matt. 5:18)
III. Scripture as the Word of the Father Jesus' heritage: (Israel's) Scripture makes him intelligible
Jesus' horizon: It defines his mission
Jesus' formation: It makes him Jewish
Jesus' authority: Obedience to it is obedience to the Father
IV. Scripture as the Word of the Son Jesus' life: Jesus fulfills, transforms, institutes Scripture like a sacrament
(creating the Old Testament and authorizing the New Testament)
Jesus' instrument: Obedience to (Christian) Scripture is obedience to Jesus
V. Scripture as the Word of the Spirit Jesus' power: Scripture is the Spirit at work in Jesus (Isa. 61:1 in Luke 4:18)
Jesus' witness: Scripture points to Jesus as Lord and Messiah
Jesus' community: In the Spirit, disciples speak Jesus' words for the Church
(John 16:12-15, John 20:22-23, Matt. 10:19-20, Matt. 18:18-20)
Jesus' confession: Christians use Scripture to worship Jesus as Lord
(Acts 2:14-39, Phil. 2:5-11)
VI. The "Living and Active" Word of God Scripture reflects the character and will of the Father
Scripture shares in the ministry of the Son
Scripture works in the power of the Holy Spirit
Annunciation and baptism as models for inspiration
