b. What is the importance of the 3 bases for Christian authority (1) Scripture, (2) the church throughout the ages,

Question

What is the importance of the 3 bases for Christian authority? John Wesley also included one’s personal encounter with God under the label "experience" as a fourth category for Christian authority (theology).  the 3 bases are:Scripture,the church thougout the ages, holyspirit

Answer 1

From a Protestant perspective, Christian Authority is not as important as Scripture, which is, in fact the only true authority for the Christian.

 The westminster Confession of Faith, one of the major documents to come out of the Reformation, states this:

 IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God. (Chapter 1, section 4.).

 

This does not totally negate all human authority or authority in the church, however. This includes both ecclesiastical and secular authority.

 

Regarding church authority, in the Biblical book of Hebrews, Christians are told to: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

 

As to secular authority, in the book of Romans, Christians are told:

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."

 

So, the idea, for Protestant Christians, is that they should obey the leaders placed over them, both secular and ecclesiastical, unless those leaders are commanding something contrary to Scripture. 

 

Here's an example: When the Apostle Peter was told by the governing authorities that he could no longer preach the Gospel, this was the response: But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29).

Answer 2

1. Scripture - The Protestants use Sola Scriptura or Scripture Alone.  This is what the main difference they have with the Catholics. Meaning that every person with the guidance of the church or pastors/theologians can read and interpret scripture for themselves and that the church, the individual and every theology must submit to the scripture itself in its literal, historical context and meaning in the original languages. In other words, what it meant to the original hearer, in the context of the passage and in the context of the Bible itself and its overall message. Also, the best interpreter of scripture is scripture itself - other verses on the same subject. In this view any revelation, dream, vision, popular theology, denominational teaching should be viewed as suspect or not correct if it conflicts with clear teaching of the Bible itself.  The earliest teachings of "church fathers" clearly point to scripture alone as nearly every treatise is backed up by quotes from the new testament canon (approved books). However later this changed. The Protestant reformation brought back the idea of scripture alone. The core of scripture is the gospel or the main message of salvation as outlined in the new testament which is prophesied and fortold and foreshadowed in the old testament. What makes up the gospel "good news" must come from scripture.

2. The Roman Catholic Church uses the Authority of the Church to interpret scripture emphazing that all scripture is interpreted by the church and that an individual is not capable of knowing what the scripture means without the authority of the church's teachings down through the ages.  Also, popes and councils of bishops make rulings on certain theologies or traditions or experiences of saints and bring those to an equal level with scripture. Therefore in this theology scripture is not the final authority, the church is.

3. The Holy Spirit - this is harder to define as far as whether the Holy Spirit can trump scripture or church tradition. Since it can be one's own experience that determines what one perceives to be the voice of the Holy Spirit. (see the next section of Experience)

4. Experience - experience is a great teacher. Each experience will be judged somehow.  If you follow the scripture alone theology, every experience that goes against scripture should not be embraced. If you follow Catholic tradition, the church would rule on experiences as to whether they were valid. Some people use lack of experience to explain scripture, such as saying well we don't see this or that happening today so maybe it didn't really happen that way or maybe we shouldn't expect it to happen that way today. This is what logical people call and argument from experience or from silence. It may be that we don't see certain things a certain way because scripture is not really understood or followed. The apostle Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:4 that their can be false gospels or false teachers and to be careful. Also, Gal 1:8. 9 talks about experience that even if one thinks an angel told them something, it has to be judged by the original gospel as outlined in scripture. Even someone who once preached the truth can be deceived by experience. Experience can be wonderful but should only be embraced if found to be in line with scripture - if you use scripture as a judge. Other traditions use priests or the popes to decide on experiences.