REFLECTIONS FROM THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

Question – Why is the written record contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, called the Word of God?

Answer – Because it was not from the invention of the men who wrote the Scriptures but from the immediate inspiration of the Spirit of God who inspired and led the human authors to write them.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

2 Peter 1:21
No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Why are the Holy Scriptures called the highest authority from God to direct us on how we may glorify and enjoy Him?
All doctrines which we are to believe must be measured or judged by this authority. All duties which we are to practice as means in order to glorify God and enjoy Him must be conformed to its principles and precepts.

Why are the Scriptures called the only rule?
Because the Holy Scriptures, and nothing else, are sufficient to direct us to this primary purpose of glorifying God.

Is not natural reason, without the light of the Holy Scriptures, sufficient to direct us?
Indeed natural reason may, from the natural impressions of a Deity upon the mind, and the evidence of a Deity in the works of creation and providence, show that there is a God and that this God is infinite in His being, and power, and wisdom, and goodness: and that He is to be glorified and worshiped by His creatures.

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

But natural reason (apart from God’s revelations through the Holy Scriptures) cannot fully and savingly show what God is.
(1)  It cannot reveal His love and mercy to sinners in His Son.
(2) It cannot reveal how He should be glorified and worshiped.
(3) It cannot direct us how we should enjoy Him either here or hereafter.