Friendly Theology – Barclay’s Catechism Chapter 2 (part 2)

CHAP. II. (cont.)

Of the Rule and Guide of Christians, and of the Scriptures.

Q. For what End were the Scriptures written?

A. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our Learning, that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope [Rom. 15:4].

Q. For what are they profitable?

A. Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all Good Works [2 Tim. 3:15-17].

Q. Wherein consisteth the Excellency of the Scriptures?

A. Knowing this first, that no Prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private Interpretation; For the Prophecy came not in Old Time by the Will of Man, but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [2 Pet. 1:20-21].

Q. The Scriptures are then to be regarded, because they came from the Spirit, and they also testifie, that not they, but the Spirit is to lead into all Truth; In what respect doth Christ command to search them?

A. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life; and they are they which testifie of me. [John 5:39]

Q. I perceive there was a Generation of old that greatly exalted the Scriptures, and yet would not believe, nor come to be guided by that the Scriptures directed to; How doth Christ bespeak such?

A. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is One that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust: For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me: But if ye believe not his Writings, how shall ye believe my Words? [John 5:45-47]

Q. What ought then such to be accounted of, notwithstanding of their Pretences of being ruled by the Scriptures?

A. In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own Destruction [2 Pet. 3:16].

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Barclay affirms that the scriptures were written specifically for us; the future generations who would seek knowledge of and relationship with God. The scriptures are for our learning. By reading the scriptures we may understand how God has interacted with our predecessors and so have a more complete idea of how God will interact with us. Further, the scriptures, “make [us] wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Barclay does, however, place a strong emphasis on the authority of the scriptures resting on their origination with the Holy Spirit. It might be said that the scriptures were God speaking to one people at one time as a testimony to all people at all times; however, the Holy Spirit is still alive and active, capable of expressing God’s will to the people of the current age, either directly, through scripture, or by other means.

Jesus condemned the religious leaders of his age for claiming Moses as their spiritual foundation but not following through on living out the law of Moses. Barclay seems to imply that if we claim the Scriptures as our spiritual foundation but do not live up to its tenets then we are just as guilty as the religious leaders of the days of Jesus.