HoHum:
Before we get too reactionary or begin to ask about this or that, this extreme episode is what Dr. Cottrell is teaching against. “I was teaching an adult Bible class at a local church some years ago when the subject of the need and use of the Bible was raised. A man in the class- a deacon- literally declared that Christians no longer need the Bible because we have the Holy Spirit.”
Here is another example from a portion of a letter written to Dr. John MacArthur: “You resort to Greek translations and fancy words to explain away what the Holy Spirit is doing in the church today. Let me give you a piece of advice that might just save you from the wrath of Almighty God: put away your Bible and your books and stop studying.”
WBTU:
True Christianity has always believed that the Holy Spirit had a unique role in the origin of Scripture. Not as widely accepted is the belief that the Spirit also has a specific role in the understanding of the Bible.
We are talking about the belief in the doctrine of illumination. This says that the Spirit works directly upon believers’ minds as we study Scripture, giving us definite, subjective help in understanding the Bible’s meaning.
Thesis: Let’s talk about the teaching of illumination tonight
For instances:
Illumination explained and defended
Those who accept this doctrine of illumination say that this is taught in Scripture.
John 14:26- But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things...
John 16:13- But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
1 John 2:20, 27- Anointing is said to be the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us to teach us all things.
Crucial to this teaching is the assumption that the key texts we just look at refer not just to the apostles but to all Christians.
The doctrine of illumination is emphasized in Calvinism. Now the first two points of Calvinism are this: Total depravity and irresistible grace. A key point in all of this is that before one can come to faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit must zap a person, regenerate their hearts, make them alive and then they are able to respond to the gospel. Without the Holy Spirit coming into a person’s life, one cannot understand the gospel. Only to those who have been illumined by the Holy Spirit can understand and respond. No free will.
Illumination refuted
Must realize that the only knowledge provided for the church today is the knowledge that comes to us from the Bible, not through any kind of direct working upon an individual’s mind or intellect. 3 reasons for denying illumination:
1. People who claim to be illuminated by the Holy Spirit often have different and even opposite understandings of the same passage or teaching of Scripture.
If the Spirit is leading all Christians into a true understanding of the Bible, why do we not have unity in our understanding?
A good example is the interpretations of the end times. 4 basic views: amillennial, postmillennial, historic premillennial, premillennial dispensationalism. Don’t have time to discuss all of these views but we must acknowledge that on all these passages of Scripture there is one correct interpretation. One thing we can be assured of is that all 4 cannot be correct. The Lord knows what is the correct one. One commentator on the end times told some of his interpretations but also said, “I believe this way but I think that the Lord has some surprises for us all not matter how convinced we are of our own views.” The Lord knows.
Under this we also need to talk about the differences between interpretation and application. There is one correct interpretation of a particular passage of Scripture. It takes study and research but there is one correct interpretation. However, there are many applications.
Take for instance again the end times. Many people try to get the proper interpretation of the end times. As Christians we all acknowledge that the Lord is coming again. Because of this we should apply this to our lives in the following ways according to Scripture: We should be alert and watchful for his coming. We should be motivated to godly living because of his coming. We should eagerly await for his coming and long for it. Because of his coming, we should encourage one another. Since he is coming again, we should persevere until that time. There are many applications but one correct interpretation.
2. Those who believe in illumination recognize that individual Christians grow in their understanding and sometimes change their interpretations of Scripture.
When I change my mind about a biblical teaching, does this mean that my former belief was erroneous and that the Spirit has now shown me the truth?
When do I have assurance to know this the Holy Spirit’s view vs. my own view?
3. The starting point for illumination is total depravity which is a false doctrine and the Scriptures that are used to support it are misinterpreted.
These verses, John 14, 16, 1 Corinthians 2 apply only to the Spirit’s work of revelation and inspiration with reference to apostles and prophets. Both John 14 and John 16 promise that the Spirit will guide us into all truth. They only way we are guided into all truth that we can be certain of is through the Bible. We believe in inspiration of the Bible, not inspiration of our memories or thoughts. Must be applied to the apostles and prophets.
An aside here is that a general rule of correct Bible interpretation is to take these passages in John 14-17 as referring to all of us until other Scriptures tell us that they do not apply to us. Therefore, we can see that the passage in John 15 about the vine and the branches that was given to the apostles applies to us because other Scriptures back this up as applying to us.
What about 1 Corinthians 2:10-16? This refers to the Spirit's work of revelation and inspiration with reference to the apostles. In 1 Cor. 1-4 Paul uses the first person plural to refer to apostles and prophets, and the second person plural to refer to his audience (other Christians). Here he is using first person plural. He is referring to the ORIGIN of the Bible, not our understanding. This is used as a defense of Paul’s apostolic authority. He is not a natural man, but a spiritual man. The “natural” man Paul is speaking of is one who is limited to human abilities and resources, as contrasted with one who is endowed with the Holy Spirit’s gifts of revelation and inspiration. The secret things can be discerned only by the Holy Spirit, and by those to whom the Spirit has revealed them, the “spiritual” man in vs. 15. Paul is such a “spiritual” man, endowed by the Spirit with revealed, inspired knowledge. Thus you cannot sit in judgment on me, says Paul. Only if you, too, have such access to the mind of Christ can you sit in judgment on me. Vs. 16.
But what about 1 John 2:20, 27? What about the “anointing” that all have received, and that teaches us all things? If this refers specifically to the Holy Spirit, then the Spirit would still be revealing all truth to each Christian. This would make the Bible itself unnecessary; it would make Christian teachers unnecessary; it would also produce unity of understanding of the things of God among believers. None of these things is true.
What is the anointing in 1 John 2? The Word of God itself, or originally taught by inspired apostles and prophets and as possessed by all Christians in the form of the Bible. The “Holy One” who gives us this anointing is himself the HOly Spirit. This anointing abides in us; in the context that the Word of God abides in us. This anointing “is true and is not a lie”; this description applies more to the teaching than to the teacher himself.
Conclusion and invitation:
Does this mean that God gives us no help in understanding the Bible. 5 things God, not just the Holy Spirit, does for us in understanding the Bible
1. God answers prayers for understanding as special providence. What do we expect God to do in answer to prayers like Colossians 1:9: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Not directly but does help
2. James 1:5 encourages us to pray for wisdom. This will not be new knowledge, but discernment in how to use and apply what is already known in Scripture.
3. Through human teachers. Why go to seminary if the Holy Spirit gives direct understanding? Hebrews 5:12: In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! If illumination were a fact, no human teachers would be needed.
4. God can aid us in understanding the Bible in various other ways, such as sharpening our mental processes, clearing our preoccupied minds, preventing distractions, helping us to concentrate, and helping us to recall ideas and to put them together.
5. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and sanctifies us. This work of sanctification may indirectly help us to understand Scripture, since one of the greatest hindrances to true understanding is the sinful, rebellious will. That is, we often willfully misinterpret Scripture because we do not want to conform our lives to its true meaning. The whole point of sanctification is to soften our rebellious wills, which often clears the way for acknowledging the true meaning of the Bible.
