Posts by Mike Harding
Sola Scriptura – Conclusion
The Bible is fully sufficient for the salvation of man and the development of the believer into full maturity (2 Tim 3:16–17). Through the assimilated Word of God, each man and woman who belongs to God is to be “fully equipped” by the Holy Spirit so that they may know either in precept or in…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty that the Scriptures Are the Final Authority for Belief and Behavior (Part 4)
The Scriptures Counsel by Establishing Correct Behavior Finally, God’s Word “trains” or “disciplines in righteousness” (πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, 2 Tim 3:16d). The training is designed to produce conduct whereby “righteousness” (δικαιοσύνῃ) becomes a reality in the life of the believer. Holiness literally means, “to cut,” “to separate,” or to be “set apart”.1 Theologically…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty that the Scriptures Are the Final Authority for Belief and Behavior (Part 3)
The Scriptures Correct by Exposing Aberrant Behavior “Correction” (ἐπανόρθωσιν, 2 Tim 3:16c) is used in the sense of “setting something right,” most likely with reference to conduct as it was sometimes used in extra biblical literature.1 God’s Word has the authority to regulate personal and public conduct. Attitudes and behavior among “Christian” young people toward…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty that the Scriptures Are the Final Authority for Belief and Behavior (Part 2)
The Scriptures Convict by Exposing Incorrect Belief Paul’s unique choice of words (ἐλεγμός) which occurs only here in the NT has the sense of “rebuke” (2 Tim 3:16b). In other words, a correct apprehension of Scripture refutes error. Paul expresses the identical concept in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty that the Scriptures Are the Final Authority for Belief and Behavior (Part 1)
Paul declares that all Scripture is “profitable” or “useful” (ὠφέλιμος; 2 Tim 3:16) in the sense of yielding a practical benefit (1 Tim 4:8; Titus 3:8). This benefit is delineated in four phrases.1 These phrases are arranged in two pairs, each with a negative and positive aspect. The first pair of words deals with belief…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty of the Doctrine of Inspiration (Part 2)
The Necessary Implications of 2 Timothy 3:16 The Scriptures Are Free From All Error in the Autographs Whatever God immediately creates must of necessity be without error factually, theologically, morally, historically, and scientifically. The infinite perfections of God’s very being demand inerrancy and infallibility. God will not lie (1 Sam 15:20), cannot lie (Titus 1:2;…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty of the Doctrine of Inspiration (Part 1)
The Content of 2 Timothy 3:16 In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul establishes the Scriptures’ own claim to divine authority and relevance to sound belief and behavior. Paul warns Timothy not to be deceived by false teachers and impostors, but instead to continue in what he has learned, having been fully “convinced” of Scripture’s truthfulness and…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty of Scripture
In part one, “What is a Bible Worth?” Pastor Harding described a “Martyr’s Bible” and how it came to get that name. The history of Bible translation is soaked initially in martyr’s blood. The commitment of martyr’s unto death for the Word of God is testimony to the importance of the doctrine. In today’s brief…
Read MoreWhat is a Bible Worth?
“Never judge a book by its cover” is a warning against premature judgments. The truth of this proverb has never been reinforced more aptly than when one gazes at the cover of an English Bible printed in 1537 in Antwerp. The leather cover is discolored and torn. There is nothing attractive about it. One is…
Read MoreBest of P&D: Mike Harding writes on Alcohol
In our day, professing Christians, even so-called conservative Christians, are eager to justify the use of beverage alcohol. This, in spite of untold misery and suffering brought into homes and lives, in spite of rising violence and abuse fueled by alcohol, in spite of countless young people snared by their elders bad examples, this remains…
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