Exposition and Theology of WCF 1.6: The Sufficiency of Scripture

Exposition

1. The Whole Counsel of God:

   • WCF 1.6 declares that everything necessary for God's glory, human salvation, faith, and life is either explicitly stated in Scripture or can be deduced from it "by good and necessary consequence" (2 Tim. 3:16–17). This reflects the doctrine of sufficiency, meaning the Bible contains all the truth we need for living a life pleasing to God and attaining salvation.
   • This sufficiency does not preclude the use of logic or theological reasoning, as long as conclusions are consistent with Scripture’s principles.

2. Prohibition Against Additions to Scripture:

   • The Confession explicitly rejects "new revelations of the Spirit" or "traditions of men" as authoritative additions to the Word of God. This stands against:
     • Roman Catholicism, which elevates Church traditions and papal decrees alongside Scripture.
     • Radical sects, which claimed ongoing revelation through visions or prophecies.

3. Role of the Holy Spirit:

   • While Scripture is sufficient, the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit is "necessary for the saving understanding" of what is revealed. This emphasizes that human understanding is dependent on divine aid (1 Cor. 2:12–14).
   • The Spirit does not add new content to Scripture but helps believers rightly understand and apply its truths.

4. Circumstantial Decisions:

   • The Confession recognizes that some aspects of Church life and worship are not explicitly addressed in Scripture. These are to be determined using the "light of nature" (general revelation) and "Christian prudence" (wisdom informed by biblical principles), guided by the "general rules of the Word" (1 Cor. 14:40).
   • For example, Scripture does not dictate specific times for worship or precise forms of Church governance but provides overarching principles to guide these decisions.

Theology of WCF 1.6

1. The Sufficiency of Scripture:

   • The Bible is sufficient for all matters of doctrine and practice, leaving no room for external additions, whether they come from tradition or new revelations. This principle ensures the stability and consistency of Christian faith and practice.
   • The principle of sufficiency also promotes reliance on Scripture as the ultimate rule of life, guarding against human innovations and errors.

2. The Role of Reason:

   • The phrase "good and necessary consequence" acknowledges that Scripture often communicates principles requiring logical deduction to apply to specific situations. This allows the Church to address contemporary issues without compromising Scripture's sufficiency.

3. The Necessity of the Holy Spirit:

   • While the Bible is clear and sufficient, fallen human understanding requires the illumination of the Spirit to grasp its spiritual truths. This ensures that knowledge of Scripture is not merely intellectual but transformative and saving.

4. Regulative Principle of Worship:

   • The Confession hints at the regulative principle of worship, which teaches that only what is commanded or implied in Scripture should shape worship practices. Decisions about circumstances (e.g., location, time) fall under the realm of prudence guided by Scripture’s general rules.

5. Guardrails for Tradition and Innovation:

   • While the Confession permits using the light of nature and prudence, it ensures that all decisions align with biblical principles, avoiding arbitrary or unscriptural practices.

Historical Debates

The sufficiency of Scripture was a key issue during the Reformation. The Reformers challenged the Roman Catholic Church's reliance on tradition and new revelations, arguing that such additions undermined Scripture’s sufficiency. They also opposed radical groups like the Anabaptists, who often appealed to private revelations or mystical experiences. The Westminster divines emphasized that the Bible is complete and authoritative, safeguarding against both errors.

Questions for Study Group

1. What does it mean that Scripture contains "the whole counsel of God" for His glory, salvation, faith, and life? How does this shape the way we approach the Bible?
2. Why does the Confession forbid adding to Scripture through "new revelations of the Spirit" or "traditions of men"? How do these additions conflict with the doctrine of sufficiency?
3. How does the Holy Spirit’s role in illuminating Scripture help believers understand its sufficiency? Why is this illumination necessary?
4. What are some examples of "circumstances" concerning worship or Church governance that fall under the guidance of the "light of nature" and "Christian prudence"? How should these decisions reflect biblical principles?
5. How does the sufficiency of Scripture challenge modern movements that claim new revelations or prioritize human traditions alongside biblical teaching?