While going over Calvin’s rebuttal of Sadoleto’s letter from 1539, I read a paragraph where Calvin held Sadoleto’s argument to a biblical standard. Calvin was a scholar of the early church. He cites from patristic sources regularly. He read widely in what was available to him in his day. And yet he gave us an example of what it means to know history, to know what those before us have said, and yet to hold their views up to Scripture as the final test of truth. I referred to his stand as “Reformed Biblicism,” and proclaimed myself a Reformed Biblicist, seeking to be faithful to that important concept.
I do not believe Calvin was the first, nor do I pretend that everyone in the past in whom I would see a commitment to a proper, Scripturally defined and historically knowledgable biblicism, has practiced their craft with complete consistency. But I believe a very strong and balanced case can be made for Calvin’s stand in 1539, and the one we must take today as well.
Please allow me to very briefly outline the position.
It starts with the highest view of Scripture. The Bible is theopneustos. Nothing else is. Therefore, it is utterly unique.
It is unique in its origin, in its nature, in its effects, in its purpose, and in its consistency.
It is intended to be a sufficient guide to Christ’s body, the Church.
It is intended to be seen as God’s very speech, and it has authority for all men, no matter their spiritual state.
The Bible then teaches us that Christ has established His Church, His body, and that the Word is intended to be central to the teaching and proclamation that defines that body.
Since we have Christ’s promise to build His church, we can expect the continued ministry of the Holy Spirit amongst His people, preserving and protecting them down through history.
We do not have to re-invent the wheel with each generation. We can learn much from those who came before us.
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