The Bible remains the most extensively printed, most widely translated, and most frequently read book in the world. Its words have been treasured in the hearts of multitudes like none other. All who have received its gifts of wisdom and promise of new life and power were at first strangers to its redemptive message and many were hostile to its teaching and spiritual demands. In all generations its power to challenge persons of all races and lands has been demonstrated. Those who cherish the Book because it sustains future hope, brings meaning and power to the present, and correlates a misused past with the forgiving grace of God would not long experience such inner rewards if Scripture were not known to them as the authoritative, divinely revealed truth. To the evangelical Christian, Scripture is the Word of God given in the objective form of propositional truths through divinely inspired prophets and apostles, and the Holy Spirit is the giver of faith through that Word.
– Carl F. H. Henry
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I hope that I will one day be able to see my own blind spots as well as I can see the blind spots of others.
“Scripture is the Word of God given in the objective form of propositional truths…”
How much of Scripture actually fits this description? Should we throw away the rest?
“The Holy Spirit is the giver of faith through that Word.”
How many people throughout Christian history have come to faith in a time when the Word was “protected” from the hands and eyes of the common believer?
The first 90% of it might be a little better quality than the last 10% but all in all I think there is some decent meat in that quote. The Bible does contain many propositional truths, many absolutes, and does reveal God’s will to his people in many different ways. I think that last statement may not be definitive. In other words, the Word is not the only way to receive faith or the only way the Holy Spirit operates to bring people to faith. As you point out very effectively.
But is the Holy Spirit the Giver of Faith seperate and apart from the Word?
Doh – read the comments after I posted my own.
I’m sorry — I was cranky that day. On the whole, it is a good quote!
In our age of Sunday School, I don’t think quite as many people first encounter it as strangers as in past times.
Whether or not that is a good or bad thing remains to be seen, though. Sometimes presumed familiarity disguises real ignorance — I had been baptized for about 7 years before I realized that most of what I presumed to be familiar with about Scripture was solely presumption.