Let this, then, remain fixed: that those whom the Holy Spirit inwardly teaches firmly acquiesce in Scripture; and that Scripture is in truth authoritative in itself, nor is it right for it to be made subject to demonstration and arguments; but that it owes the sense of certainty which we ought to have about it to the witness of the Spirit. For thought it commands reverence of itself, by its own majestic character, it only makes a serious impact on us when it is sealed on our heart by the Spirit. Enlightened by his power, therefore, we do not believe that Scripture is from God on the basis of either our own judgment, or another's; but, with a certainty that transcends human judgment, we are unshakably convinced--as though we saw God himself present in it--that it has come to us, by the ministry of men, from God's very mouth. We ask not for proofs or probabilities on which our judgment may rest, but we subject our mind and judgment to it, as something beyond reach of our assessing.
- John Calvin, Institute of the Christian Religion, I. vii. Quoted from Packer's "Fundamentalism" and the Word of God
No comments:
Post a Comment