Holy Scripture: The Norm of Faith
As taught in the Lutheran tradition
Establishing the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the only rule and norm for all doctrine.
The question that stands at the very gateway of Lutheran theology is one of ultimate authority: "By what standard shall we know the truth of God?" In the Lutheran tradition, this subtopic—Holy Scripture as the Norm of Faith—addresses the fundamental crisis of certainty that characterizes the human condition after the Fall. We do not look to the fluctuating "inner light" of subjective experience, nor to the cumulative weight of ecclesiastical tradition as a primary source, but to the written Word of God. This is the Formal Principle of the Reformation. While the Material Principle is Justification by Grace through Faith, the Formal Principle provides the external, objective foundation upon which that Gospel is preached and defended. Without a sure and certain "norm" (a rule or standard), the Gospel itself becomes a victim of human whim, cultural shifts, or the tyranny of the magisterium.
By the end of this lesson
- **Identify** the distinction between *norma normans* (the norming norm) and *norma normata* (the normed norm) within the Lutheran theological framework.
- **Distinguish** between the magisterial and ministerial uses of human reason in relation to the biblical text.
- **Explain** the Lutheran doctrine of the "Clarity of Scripture" (Perspicuity) and how it empowers the laity.
- **Articulate** the relationship between the "Breathed-out" nature of Scripture (Inspiration) and its authority as a judge of doctrine.
- **Trace** the historical development of the Formula of Concord’s introductory statement on the rule and norm of faith.
- **Defend** the sufficiency of Scripture against the claims of modern "enthusiasm" (direct revelation) and Roman Catholic "traditionalism."
- **Apply** the Scripture anchors to contemporary challenges regarding the reliability and truthfulness of the Bible.
- **Compare** the Lutheran view of Sola Scriptura with the "Solo Scriptura" of radical individualists, highlighting the role of the Creeds as faithful witnesses.
Scripture
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