CIU Today Fall 2017

he Reformation cry of

Sola scriptura

holds a special place in my heart, and is central to what we believe and do at CIU.

But it is misunderstood by some well-meaning Christians.

Sola scriptura

means that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is our highest authority in

spiritual matters, issues related to our faith and practice. This is why I appreciate that

one of CIU’s core values is the “authority of Scripture.” This value that we place in

Scripture is reflected in several ways at CIU. We have embedded into our curriculum,

both at the undergraduate level and in the seminary, a required class on interpreting

Scripture. It’s one thing to say that Scripture is the authority, but the ability to

interpret and apply it accurately is essential if we want to functionally live under the

authority of Scripture.

There is a passage in Scripture that coincides with this idea of the authority of Scripture, but it has been obscured by some

Bible translations and common interpretations that misunderstand it: 1 Thessalonians 5:22. Both the KJV and the 1984 NIV had

ambiguous, if not misleading, translations of this verse. However, the new NIV translates it with clarity and precision, and, as

always, looking at the verse in context is extremely important: “20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all;

hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, NIV).

Paul begins by prohibiting the Thessalonians from viewing spiritual instruction as unworthy of consideration. Then he contrasts

(“but”) that idea with the phrase “test them all.” All what? All spiritual instruction. So rather than being contemptuous toward

spiritual instruction, we should “test” it. This is very similar to how Luke described the Bereans in Acts 17, concluding that the

Bereans “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”

(Acts 17:11b, NIV). It is important not to believe everything we are taught. Some people twist Scripture when they teach it.

Paul wants us to examine everything we are taught to make sure it is true. Now, what are we supposed to do if we discover the

teaching is true?

The NIV includes a semicolon in the middle of verse 21 to communicate that the two thoughts are closely connected. Once the

spiritual instruction has been examined, if it is true, then “hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21b, NIV). The phrase

“hold on to” refers to clinging to the truth in such a way that it impacts our behavior so that we live according to that truth.

When we “hold on to what is good,” there will be a change, there will be fruit. However, what are we supposed to do if the

instruction is bad?

This leads us to verse 22. The comma the NIV places after verse 21 functions to express a contrast between verses 21 and 22. If the

spiritual instruction is good, cling to it, but if it’s bad, reject it. Verse 22 isn’t discussing evil in a generic way, it’s referring to bad

spiritual instruction. We are to avoid and reject spiritual instruction that does not line up with Scripture.

And that brings us back to the authority of Scripture. The reason we are to reject spiritual instruction that contradicts Scripture

(or goes beyond Scripture) is that Scripture, and Scripture alone, is our authority. At CIU, we resolutely hold to the Reformation

belief in

sola scriptura

Editor’s note: For a more detailed analysis of 1 Thessalonians 5:22, see Dr. David Croteau’s book, “Urban Legends of the New

Testament: 40 Common Misconceptions,” published by Broadman and Holman.

Our Highest Authority

By Dr. David Croteau, CIU Professor of New Testament and Greek

At CIU, we resolutely

hold to the Reformation

belief in sola scriptura.

CIU Today