Came upon the following in B. B. Warfield's work, The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible, pp 80-81...
"...the series of redemptive acts of God has not been left to explain itself, but the explanatory word has been added to it. Revelation thus appears, however, not as the mere reflection of the redeeming acts of God in the minds of men, but as a factor in the redeeming work of God, a component part of the series of His redeeming acts, without which that series would be incomplete and so far inoperative for its main end. Thus the Scriptures represent it, not as confounding revelation with the series of the redemptive acts of God, but placing it among the redemptive acts of God and giving it a function as a substantive element in the operations by which the merciful God saves sinful men. It is therefore not made even a mere constant accompaniment of the redemptive acts of God, giving their explanation that they may be understood. It occupies a far more independent place among them that this, and as frequently precedes them to prepare their way as it accompanies or follows them to interpret their meaning. It is, in one word, itself a redemptive act of God and by no means the least important in the series of His redemptive acts."
What I get from this...
God's revelatory word is part and parcel with his redeeming work. Revelation is in itself an integral part of Redemption. Therefore, his proclaimed word must be as complete and perfect as his accomplished work, because it is part of it.
Prophecy is given in prospect of the work; apostolic proclamation is given to proclaim and explain the work.
Our view of the completeness and integrity of God's word is related to our view of the completeness and integrity of God's saving work. For redemption to be complete and perfect it must be explained by infallible revelation. God's revelation is "itself a redemptive act."
"...the series of redemptive acts of God has not been left to explain itself, but the explanatory word has been added to it. Revelation thus appears, however, not as the mere reflection of the redeeming acts of God in the minds of men, but as a factor in the redeeming work of God, a component part of the series of His redeeming acts, without which that series would be incomplete and so far inoperative for its main end. Thus the Scriptures represent it, not as confounding revelation with the series of the redemptive acts of God, but placing it among the redemptive acts of God and giving it a function as a substantive element in the operations by which the merciful God saves sinful men. It is therefore not made even a mere constant accompaniment of the redemptive acts of God, giving their explanation that they may be understood. It occupies a far more independent place among them that this, and as frequently precedes them to prepare their way as it accompanies or follows them to interpret their meaning. It is, in one word, itself a redemptive act of God and by no means the least important in the series of His redemptive acts." What I get from this...
God's revelatory word is part and parcel with his redeeming work. Revelation is in itself an integral part of Redemption. Therefore, his proclaimed word must be as complete and perfect as his accomplished work, because it is part of it.
Prophecy is given in prospect of the work; apostolic proclamation is given to proclaim and explain the work.
Our view of the completeness and integrity of God's word is related to our view of the completeness and integrity of God's saving work. For redemption to be complete and perfect it must be explained by infallible revelation. God's revelation is "itself a redemptive act."
Comments