The Only Sure Word -- By: John Sherwood

Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 07:1 (Spring 1996)
Article: The Only Sure Word
Author: John Sherwood


The Only Sure Word

John Sherwood1

In the face of challengers in his second letter, the apostle Peter makes it clear in 1:16–21 that Gods word is his source of authority and spiritual knowledge. In doing this, he shows that the knowledge gained in Gods written revelation prevails over that gained anywhere else. Because of its superiority, Scripture deserves concentrated attention. All other conceivable sources of knowledge must bow the knee to Gods Word.

* * * * *

We were robbed! A Roman Catholic charismatic group snatched some key businessmen who had been studying the Bible with us for some months, and it hurt. In contrast to our steady work in God’s Word, they could offer fantastic charismatic experiences like being spiritually slain and tongues-speaking without stepping outside the bounds of tradition and the Mother Church. How can we compete?

How often had we faced this type of question? A member of one of our Bible studies asks what I think about the recent apparitions of Virgin Mary on a neighboring island of the Philippines. An estimated one million were expected to visit. There they hoped to hear Mary’s voice with a new message for the nation. How can we convince these

new Bible students, coming from an experience-oriented culture, that any search for spiritual knowledge outside God’s Word amounts to a rejection of God and His Word?

The advantages of ministering in the Philippines, the “only Christian nation in Asia”2 (i.e., 85% Roman Catholic), include the assumption of the vast majority that the Bible is the Word of God. For example, missionaries to the Philippines rarely face inerrancy as an issue. However, the superiority of Scripture to all other sources of knowledge is constantly under challenge. Aside from direct apparitions, other “miraculous” happenings, signs and omens, superstition, various prophets receiving new revelation, and the more subtle traditions, teachings, and experiences of men all vie for equal status and even superiority to written revelation.

Peter evidently faced a similar challenge from foes of a pre-Gnostic variety in his second letter.3 Consequently, in 2 Pet 2:16–21, he answers their challenge with a comparison of four different sources of knowledge. He moves through the passage from the least authoritative source to the one with most authority.

For Peter’s...

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