The Self-Authenticating Glory of Scripture

Devotional

Day 1: The Glory of God as a Tangible Reality

The Bible reveals its truthfulness through the glory of God that shines through its pages. This glory is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that believers can perceive, facilitated by the Holy Spirit who removes spiritual obstacles. The self-authenticating nature of scripture means that its truth is not dependent on external validation or human reasoning. Instead, it is the divine glory that speaks directly to the heart of the believer, offering a profound sense of assurance and faith. This understanding encourages believers to approach the Bible with an open heart, ready to experience the divine presence in every passage. [12:51]

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to remove obstacles in your spiritual vision today, allowing you to perceive the glory of God in your Bible reading?

Day 2: Historical Roots of Self-Authenticating Scripture

The concept of scripture's self-authentication is deeply rooted in Christian tradition, drawing on the works of Calvin, Edwards, and Owen. These theologians emphasized that the glory of God revealed in the Bible is a unique combination of majesty and meekness, epitomized in Jesus Christ. This historical grounding provides a rich context for understanding how the glory of God is revealed in scripture, offering a foundation for faith that transcends human reasoning. By exploring these theological roots, believers can gain a deeper appreciation for the divine nature of the Bible and its ability to speak truth into their lives. [02:17]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: How can understanding the historical roots of scripture's self-authentication deepen your appreciation for the Bible's divine nature today?

Day 3: The Peculiar Glory of God

The glory of God in scripture is peculiar in that it combines majesty with meekness, a theme epitomized in Jesus Christ. This unique combination is what makes the Bible self-authenticating and provides a foundation for faith that transcends human reasoning. The peculiar glory of God invites believers to see beyond the surface and recognize the divine presence in the humble and the majestic. This understanding encourages believers to seek the beauty and glory of God in every passage, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate their understanding and deepen their faith. [29:36]

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you seek to recognize the peculiar glory of God in both the majestic and humble aspects of your life today?

Day 4: Universality of Scripture's Truth

The self-authenticating nature of scripture means that the Bible can reveal its truth to people of all cultures and educational backgrounds. This universality gives confidence in the Bible's ability to communicate God's glory across diverse contexts. The glory of God is universally accessible, offering a foundation for faith that transcends cultural and intellectual barriers. This understanding encourages believers to trust in the Bible's ability to speak truth into their lives, regardless of their background or circumstances. [52:01]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the universality of scripture's truth in your interactions with people from different cultures and backgrounds today?

Day 5: Approaching Scripture with Expectation

Understanding the Bible as self-authenticating encourages believers to seek the beauty and glory of God in every passage. It emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our understanding and deepens our reliance on prayer and textual engagement. By approaching scripture with an expectation of encountering the divine, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a greater understanding of His will for their lives. This approach fosters a sense of wonder and awe, inviting believers to explore the depths of God's word with an open heart and mind. [55:03]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach your Bible reading today with an expectation of encountering the beauty and glory of God?

Sermon Summary

In this discussion, I explore the profound concept of the self-authenticating nature of the Christian scriptures, as detailed in my book "A Peculiar Glory." The central thesis is that the Bible reveals its truthfulness not merely through historical or rational arguments but through the glory of God that shines through its pages. This glory is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that believers can perceive, much like the glory of God is evident in nature, the incarnation, and the miracles of Jesus. The scriptures serve as a window through which we see the divine glory, and this sight is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who removes the obstacles that cloud our spiritual vision.

I draw on historical theology, referencing figures like Calvin, Edwards, and Owen, to show that this idea is deeply rooted in Christian tradition. The glory of God, as revealed in the Bible, is peculiar in that it combines majesty with meekness, a theme that runs throughout scripture and is epitomized in the person of Jesus Christ. This peculiar glory is what makes the Bible self-authenticating, providing a foundation for faith that does not rely solely on human reasoning or external validation.

The implications of this view are significant for global missions and personal faith. It suggests that the Bible can be trusted to reveal its truth to people of all cultures and educational backgrounds, as the glory of God is universally accessible. This understanding also impacts how we approach scripture in our daily lives, encouraging us to seek the beauty and glory of God in every passage and to rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticating Nature of Scripture:** The Bible reveals its truthfulness through the glory of God that shines through its pages. This glory is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that believers can perceive, facilitated by the Holy Spirit who removes spiritual obstacles. [12:51]
2. Historical and Theological Roots: The concept of scripture's self-authentication is deeply rooted in Christian tradition, drawing on the works of Calvin, Edwards, and Owen. This historical grounding provides a rich context for understanding how the glory of God is revealed in scripture.

3. Peculiar Glory: The glory of God in scripture is peculiar in that it combines majesty with meekness, a theme epitomized in Jesus Christ. This unique combination is what makes the Bible self-authenticating and provides a foundation for faith that transcends human reasoning.

4. Implications for Global Missions: The self-authenticating nature of scripture means that the Bible can reveal its truth to people of all cultures and educational backgrounds. This universality gives confidence in the Bible's ability to communicate God's glory across diverse contexts.

5. Approaching Scripture in Daily Life: Understanding the Bible as self-authenticating encourages believers to seek the beauty and glory of God in every passage. It emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our understanding and deepens our reliance on prayer and textual engagement.

** [12:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Introduction to "A Peculiar Glory"
[01:08] - The Concept of Peculiar Glory
[02:17] - Historical Theological Roots
[03:31] - Old and New Insights
[04:46] - Personal Journey to Understanding
[06:14] - Global Mission and Local Evangelism
[08:00] - The Single Step of Faith
[09:11] - The Focus on Glory
[10:44] - Nature and Incarnation as Analogies
[12:51] - Scripture as a Window to Glory
[14:25] - Addressing Doubt and Confidence
[19:28] - Glory and Joy in the Human Soul
[21:42] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[26:58] - Distinguishing Christian Scripture
[30:32] - The Peculiar Glory of God
[37:30] - Addressing Objections
[46:22] - Understanding God's Glory in Judgment
[52:01] - Importance for Global Mission
[55:03] - Practical Implications for Bible Reading

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Corinthians 4:4-6
Psalm 19:1
John 1:14

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Observation Questions:

How does 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 describe the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the glory of God? How does this relate to the concept of the Bible being self-authenticating? [07:40]
In Psalm 19:1, how is the glory of God revealed through nature, and how does this serve as an analogy for understanding the glory revealed in scripture? [10:16]
According to John 1:14, what is significant about the glory of God being revealed in the incarnation of Jesus? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of peculiar glory? [11:12]
What historical figures does the sermon mention as having contributed to the understanding of the self-authenticating nature of scripture? [02:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of peculiar glory, which combines majesty with meekness, challenge or deepen one's understanding of the nature of God as presented in the Bible? [29:36]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the self-authenticating nature of scripture impacts global missions and evangelism? How might this understanding influence the approach to sharing the gospel? [52:01]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in removing obstacles to seeing the glory of God in scripture? What implications does this have for personal Bible study and spiritual growth? [13:52]
How does the sermon address the potential objections to the self-authenticating nature of scripture, particularly in comparison to other religious texts? [31:56]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you experienced the glory of God through scripture. How did this experience impact your faith, and how can you seek similar experiences in your daily Bible reading? [55:03]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in illuminating scripture. How can you cultivate a greater reliance on the Holy Spirit in your personal Bible study? [13:52]
Consider the idea that the glory of God is universally accessible. How can this understanding shape your interactions with people from different cultural or educational backgrounds when discussing faith? [52:01]
The sermon suggests that the peculiar glory of God combines majesty with meekness. How can you reflect this combination in your own life and interactions with others? [29:36]
How can you incorporate the concept of seeing the glory of God in nature, as described in Psalm 19:1, into your spiritual practice? What steps can you take to be more aware of God's presence in the world around you? [10:16]
The sermon discusses the importance of historical theology in understanding scripture. How can you incorporate historical perspectives into your Bible study to enrich your understanding of the text? [02:17]
How can you address doubts or questions about the truthfulness of scripture in a way that strengthens your faith and encourages others? What resources or practices might be helpful in this process? [14:25]

Sermon Clips

The scriptures evidence themselves prove themselves to be God's true and trustworthy word right now John this isn't a new argument peculiar to you is it no no not the basic argument of the scriptures being self attesting that is not so much that they claim to be the word of God but rather that they show themselves by their Glory by the revelation of the glory of God mediated through them they show themselves to be the the word of God God and thus thus reliable. [00:01:23]

I was taught from the time I was this big that this book is God's word M and and so to be honest I never doubted that only later did I begin to formulate questions, okay my mama and my daddy said so is that good enough and so the questions of how do I know and I remember in seminary rigorous historical arguments especially from Galatians 1 I remember Dan Fuller unpacked a very sophisticated historical argument for the reliability of Paul's apostleship and then out from there his writings and out from there the the rest of scripture. [00:04:49]

If God indeed spoke in a book and what's in this book has eternity hanging on it surely he would provide for means by which his children of the simplest sort in the most remote Village of Papa New Guinea or the most uneducated person in America or Britain would be able to know he's telling the truth and they would be able to stake their lives on it so that that's driving me here. [00:06:16]

The God Who said let light shine out of Darkness has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ glory of God so when the eyes are opened as the gospel is being taught from the word when the spiritual eyes are opened you see a Beauty a glory a Radiance a distinguishing streaming forth or Radiance of God himself that ends the issue you know this is God here now. [00:09:40]

It's not that the glory of God comes alongside scripture in a different way it's mediated through R scripture No No that that's that's absolutely crucial distinction that um the alongside idea of self-attestation is misleading in other words when I say that the Holy Spirit testifies using Calvin's language or that the Bible testifies I don't mean that there's added information so I'm reading my Bible and I'm praying oh God is this your word is this your word. [00:12:54]

I don't want to say that a person who has an uncertainty about the glory of some part of the Bible has suddenly lost his salvation or lost his his faith or the holy spirit's not at work anymore because I think that we Emer we grow into a confidence in the totality of the book by exposure to the book progressively a brand new believer who's never read the Bible I won't ask him to believe the moment he puts his faith in the gospel. [00:42:52]

The glory of God is seen what what that observation that that the the multifaceted dimensions of literature or the multi- U layered meanings and the the multier through which scripture passes this this incredible uh diversity and intricacy shows that number one the Bible is inexhaustible in searching out the glories of God and the ways the glory of God is seen I mean I I think I've seen a a tiny little speck of how the Bible shows itself to be glorious. [00:49:47]

If I thought that I had to figure out the reasoning pattern of every culture on the planet so as to be persuasive right that this is true I think I would despair of getting the Great Commission done but if if I can just content myself with get the language get the language and get it into the language and God will see to it that his glory shines through it. [00:52:22]

I have asked is the glory of God also the mind's certainty so you have soul Glory joy and satisfaction mind Glory certainty the light image is very key isn't it is an enlightening thing the sight of the glory of God right that that that's there because the mind that's the most common image for the mind coming to A conviction and an understanding if we're in a dark room and we want to know that there's Sun best just to go out and look at the sun rather than read arguments from physics that there is a a sun. [00:20:29]

The simplest Native American who hears the the gospel Faithfully spoken from this book can Ascend to certainty not by a complex of inferences but by a single step the glory of Christ seen in it now when I read that I thought first of all what does it mean and second is it true is that true and third would that be applicable to the whole of scripture when it applies to the gospel in in 2 Corinthians 4:4. [00:07:47]

The glory of God in scripture is peculiar in that it combines majesty with meekness, a theme epitomized in Jesus Christ. This unique combination is what makes the Bible self-authenticating and provides a foundation for faith that transcends human reasoning. [00:30:32]

The glory of God is the Soul's satisfaction now what I've done here is I have asked is the glory of God also the mind's certainty so you have soul Glory joy and satisfaction mind Glory certainty the light image is very key isn't it is an enlightening thing the sight of the glory of God right that that that's there because the mind that's the most common image for the mind coming to A conviction and an understanding. [00:20:29]

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The Self-Authenticating Glory of Scripture

Devotional

Day 1: The Glory of God as a Tangible Reality

Day 2: Historical Roots of Self-Authenticating Scripture

Day 3: The Peculiar Glory of God

Day 4: Universality of Scripture's Truth

Day 5: Approaching Scripture with Expectation

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

The Self-Authenticating Glory of Scripture

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