1689.1.1 – OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
- The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience,1 although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation.2 Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in diversified manners to reveal Himself, and to declare (that) His will unto His church;3 and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now completed.4
What is it that gives us the knowledge of God? Or, how can we get to know God or know about him? If we want to know that God exists, we can know this truth in three ways. First, there is the light of nature. That means that nature teaches us about God. Second, we can know God from creation. The heavens declare God’s glory (Ps. 19:1). Third, the working of providence shows us that there is order and control to history and that it is not random or accidental. These three ways show us that there is a God. They all show us the goodness, wisdom, and power of God. They are sufficient to make us responsible before God and accountable to him. But something is still lacking. Can we know God in a different way? If these three ways simply render us inexcusable, can we go beyond just mere obligation to God? Can we truly know God, and not only about God? These three ways mentioned are not enough to give us what we need to know regarding salvation.
1 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Eph. 2:20
2 Rom. 1:19-21, 2:14, 15; Psalm 19:1-3
3 Heb. 1:1
4 Prov. 22:19-21; Rom. 15:4; 2 Pet. 1:19, 20
