On Sunday morning, Rev. James MacIver preached on 2 Timothy 3:16, 'Scripture Alone', the first in a series of five sermons on the Reformation 'solas'.

Mr MacIver began by talking about the upcoming 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 Theses being nailed to the door of Wittenberg Castle church. There have been few more important pieces of paper, he said, and few which have contributed to changing the course of history in so many ways. We are aware of how important the Reformation was spiritually, but few of its detractors know the extent to which it positively influenced the political, social, educational and economic spheres also.

The Reformers knew that Scripture alone was the rule of conduct for everyone - not just people who belonged to the church. Paul, in his letter to Timothy draws his friend's attention to the kind of age in which they are living, and how very far people have removed themselves from the type of behaviour prescribed by the Bible.

Although the Apostle wrote this letter a very long time ago, Mr MacIver pointed out that all the behaviour described in it also typifies contemporary society. Therefore, just as Paul countered the ungodliness of his own day by conveying proper, Biblical conduct to Timothy, so must we look to the same source for instruction today.

Paul begins by speaking of the nature of Scripture, where he says that it is ALL breathed out by God. Indeed, Mr MacIver added, that where we speak of the 'inspiration' of Scripture, we might as easily say 'expiration' for, although it has come to us through human writers, its origin is with God. As 2 Peter 1:20 - 21 makes clear, no prophet spoke for or of himself. Isaiah's prophecy, for example, comes to us in his voice, but he was directed by God and not his own inclinations or wisdom.

There are those who question how the Bible can be held up as the only Word of God to the exclusion of all other writings. The answer can be found in the Larger Catechism, at question 4, and in particular: 'the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God'. Scripture is, therefore, God's word; we are persuaded by the Spirit who works by and with the word of God in our hearts.

Consequently, it is:

i) inerrant - and will not lead you astray. Christians accept ALL of the Bible: that the Lord parted the Red Sea, that David picked five smooth pebbles, that Christ rose from the dead. These are all contained in the breathed-out word of God and are, therefore, absolutely true accounts.

ii) authoritative - this is why it is a regulator of conscience and conduct for everyone, regardless of whether they question its authority or not: it is the absolute authority as it stands, whole and complete.

iii) sufficient - nothing should be removed, nothing needs to be added. Every corruption of the Gospel involves adding to or taking away from it. In the time of the Reformation this was typified by the insistence upon Papal authority in all matters; in our own time it can be seen in TV evangelists preaching a false Gospel to thousands - e.g. 'God wants you wealthy'. This is not scriptural.

Churches and missions which emphasise technique and atmosphere and attributes like entrepreneurship have left the sufficiency of the Bible far behind and replaced it with something which belongs to the world of commerce.

In emphasising the complete inerrancy, authority and sufficiency of the Bible, however, Mr MacIver reminded the congregation that it is not to be used like a text book which will provide us with direct answers to all that we will meet in providence. It makes no such promise or claim. However, it will guide us towards a proper response to that providence, and help us towards an understanding of how God wants us to conduct ourselves in all circumstances.

The apostle lists what the purpose of Scripture is, naming four areas in which it is usefully applied:

i) Teaching - Question three in the Shorter Catechism tells us that the Bible teaches us what we are to believe concerning God, and what God requires concerning man. Our minds need instruction and the Bible is sufficient to provide all we need.

ii) Reproof - It is difficult for us to accept our need for rebuke, but God's rebuke is to a purpose beyond simply telling us off; it is also a warning of the spiritual danger in which we have placed ourselves.

iii) Correction - God's warning in the form of reproof allows us the opportunity for correction. Scripture will set you back onto the right path after you have been rebuked away from the wrong one you were on.

iv) Training - This word in the original language is a family word, which implies the type of encouragement to growth that the family unit invokes in children. In sanctifying us, God is nurturing us towards greater likeness to Himself.

Paul says that the end result of all this is to equip the Christian for a life lived in the Lord, just as apprenticeship equips a tradesman to use all his tools correctly and to the benefit of himself and others. He writes of 'every good work' and while a misinterpretation of this might lead one to think it opposes another great Reformation sola - by faith alone - Ephesians 2: 10 clarifies the statement somewhat. Christians are moved to do good works as a fruit of the Spirit, not as a means to salvation.

Taking all this into account, Mr MacIver pointed out that it is small wonder there are forces at work to remove the Bible from public life and even, in some cases, from public worship. Secularists want it removed, not because they are ignorant of its power and purpose, but, rather, because they know exactly what it is capable of.

It is a guide to the young Christian and becomes their staff in later life; it wounds in order to heal; it condemns us for our sins in order to offer acquittal through the salvation of Jesus Christ.

The Bible comforts and nurtures the Christian; and it is incumbent upon Christians to ensure that it is not removed from the public arena, where it has done, and will do, so much good.