Journal: Bible and Spade (Second Run)
Volume: BSPADE 28:2 (Spring 2015)
Article: The Power Of Presuppositions
Author: Scott Lanser

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BSpade 28:2 (Spring 2015) p. 54

The Power Of Presuppositions

Scott Lanser

Every day we make decisions based upon our assumptions concerning truth. Consider the popular yet profoundly erroneous assumptions people make today concerning ultimate realities:

• Human existence is the result of evolutionary processes mixed with time and chance
• There is no God, no creator, and no ultimate being that we are accountable to
• God has not given objective revelation of His actions, purposes, or will
• The Bible is a book of stories, created by humans, which has been changed, expanded and edited over eons of human history
• Humans are the ultimate arbiters of truth: we discover, we interpret, we declare what WE believe is true, making “truth” something not objective, but totally man-affirmed and man- centered

How radically different are the assumptions of the redeemed. When we enter into covenant relationship with Christ and are saved from our sin (the sinful nature and sin’s power) by faith, we are spiritually regenerated with the capacity to see and understand all of reality from Christ’s perspective. We know that it is Jesus “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3 NKJV), and that knowledge is not infallibly found within our fallen minds, our fallen condition. We must be taught, and the Counselor, God’s Holy Spirit, leads, guides, teaches, convicts, and comforts us in a lifelong process of transformation (consider again Paul’s words in Romans 12:1–2). The regenerated heart understands that the Scriptures are God’s perfect, inerrant revelation to us: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tm 3:16–17 NKJV).

How can Scripture do this? Because it is the very Word of the living God. This most fundamental understanding concerning the nature of Scripture MUST be a part of every Christian’s grasp of core biblical doctrine. Indeed, it is a basic postulate of saving faith, since in order to be saved one must believe the word preached about who Christ is and what He has done (Rom 10:6–10). When an individual surrenders their heart to Christ they come to more completely trust the Holy Scriptures in the same way Jesus always trusted them: The Scriptures are wholly true and without error. Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfille...

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