Redeemer’s Final Say: Scripture Rules All
Theology Tuesday #11
What happens when traditions, councils, or even personal opinions run headlong into the Word of God? For many throughout history, it’s been a point of tension—who holds the final say? According to our doctrinal statement (Chapter I, Section 10), Scripture alone stands as “the supreme judge... Holy Scripture.”* That means, in any debate over faith or practice, the Bible outranks every other source of authority.
We see a prime example of this in Acts 17:11, where the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to confirm the truth of Paul’s teachings. They didn’t automatically accept the apostle’s words—remarkable as he was—without comparing them to the Word. Likewise, we at Redeemer hold ourselves accountable to that same standard: no matter how revered a church father, council, or modern commentator might be, God’s Word trumps all. We appreciate historical creeds and glean insight from scholarly works, but if there’s a clash, the Bible wins every time.
Why does this matter? Because Scripture isn’t just another voice in the crowd. It’s God-breathed revelation, the anchor that keeps us from drifting into mere human speculation. Over the centuries, believers have faced controversies ranging from doctrinal heresies to cultural pressures—and time and again, it’s the unchanging voice of the Bible that pulls them back to center. At Redeemer, we want that same unflinching fidelity to guide our teaching, our worship, and our lives together in community.
Practically, this means when we encounter diverging viewpoints—be it over moral questions, church governance, or theological nuance—we test everything by the light of Scripture. We humbly acknowledge that faithful Christians can differ in interpreting certain passages, but we never subject the Bible itself to popular opinion or man-made traditions. Instead, we aim to hold our convictions up against the whole counsel of God’s Word, allowing it to correct and shape us.
“When voices clash, Scripture stands—Redeemer listens.” That’s the heartbeat of our stance. By keeping God’s Word supreme, we safeguard the church from swaying with cultural fads and remain anchored in Christ’s unchanging truth. Next Tuesday, we’ll bring our series on the Holy Scriptures to a close with a reflection on how these doctrines fuel our everyday disciple-making mission. Until then, let’s remain thankful that God has given us an authoritative guide, one that speaks powerfully into every season of life.
