Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 14:42 (Aug 2010)
Article: Editorial
Author: Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.

Editorial

Ron J. Bigalke

Every defense of biblical authority must maintain that this conviction is Scriptural, and affirmed by the Old Testament saints, Jesus, and the Apostles. They all regarded the Word of God with an attitude of complete trust, and recognized absolutely no errors within its holy pages. The authority of Scripture is not simply an inference conceived by godly minds; rather, the conviction is developed from the very Word of God. Authoritative formulas in the Old Testament, such as “thus said the Lord” and “the Lord spoke” are used more than 2,000 times. The biblical writers conveyed—without ambiguity—that they did not speak on their own, but God revealed to them a special message to record. The New Testament writers, likewise, reveal the divine authority that guided their writings. Throughout His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ regarded the Old Testament as written divine instruction. He continually referenced the Old Testament, and affirmed the historical integrity of its books. Authoritative formulas in the ministry of Jesus Christ, such as “it is written” and “have you not heard?” convey the authority of the Word of God to Israel. Prior to it being written, Jesus also indicated His divine authority upon the inspiration of the New Testament. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the words of both Old and New Testaments have the authority of God Himself. Sadly, there is a departure today from this biblical and historic position. There are people among the church today, who may not deny the deity of Jesus Christ, or His virgin birth and bodily resurrection, but they defy the very authority of Scripture. There are people in our denominations, institutions, missions, and pastoring churches who have departed from the classic biblical doctrine. Scripture must never be distorted to imitate the surrounding culture at this moment in history; rather, it is the Bible that judges culture and society. Evangelicalism is not consistently evangelical unless the authority of God’s Word is affirmed without reservation. For this reason, all the contributors to this issue of the Journal of Dispensational Theology have rearticulated in various manners the evangelical belief in the inspiration of the Bible, and its authority within the Christian community. The one exception is the article addressing the interpretation of Peter’s use of Joel 2 on the birthday of the church, but demonstrates how interpretation of this passage profoundly affects one’s doctrinal and theological convictions with regard to Christ, the church, and the future. May you be stimulated in your reading of these articles, and affirm with conviction that by its very nature, the Bible is absolute and instructional and does not speak in hopeless generalities.

Ron J. Bigalke, M.Apol., M.Div., M.T.S., Ph.D.

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