WCF 1.7 - All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
One only needs to look at the huge variety of doctrine in the Christian church to realise that all things in Scripture are not plain and obvious. If there are 12 different positions on a certain doctrine or verse, then 11 of those positions are wrong. The schisms, the arguments, and the debates among the churches and even fellow Christian brothers are a result of an incorrect understanding of Scripture.
The proof text for the phrase, "All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:" is 2 Peter 3:16 which says, "As also in all his (Paul's) epistles, speaking in them of these things; 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."
Peter holds the epistles of Paul on the same level as "the other scriptures". And yet at the same time, he also admits that some things within Paul's epistles are hard to be understood just like in the rest of Scripture. So we can conclude that it is not only the New Testament that has controversial parts, but also the Old Testament. The Sadducee and the Pharisees had different beliefs before the New Testament was written.
However, it is good to remember that the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Even though there may be controversy and debate and disagreement, the whole counsel of God is still able to be found. Yet one part of the Scripture cannot be taken in isolation to the rest of Scripture. Each and every verse of Scripture needs to be taken in light of the whole counsel of God concerning all things.
The WCF ends this section with encouragement. While not all things are plain and simple, yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. This is encouragement for every man in that in spite of his imperfect knowledge of all doctrine and his imperfect knowledge of God, he can still clearly find the doctrine of salvation.
It is good to remember that the inward illumination of the Spirit of God is necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
One only needs to look at the huge variety of doctrine in the Christian church to realise that all things in Scripture are not plain and obvious. If there are 12 different positions on a certain doctrine or verse, then 11 of those positions are wrong. The schisms, the arguments, and the debates among the churches and even fellow Christian brothers are a result of an incorrect understanding of Scripture.
The proof text for the phrase, "All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:" is 2 Peter 3:16 which says, "As also in all his (Paul's) epistles, speaking in them of these things; 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."
Peter holds the epistles of Paul on the same level as "the other scriptures". And yet at the same time, he also admits that some things within Paul's epistles are hard to be understood just like in the rest of Scripture. So we can conclude that it is not only the New Testament that has controversial parts, but also the Old Testament. The Sadducee and the Pharisees had different beliefs before the New Testament was written.
However, it is good to remember that the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Even though there may be controversy and debate and disagreement, the whole counsel of God is still able to be found. Yet one part of the Scripture cannot be taken in isolation to the rest of Scripture. Each and every verse of Scripture needs to be taken in light of the whole counsel of God concerning all things.
The WCF ends this section with encouragement. While not all things are plain and simple, yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. This is encouragement for every man in that in spite of his imperfect knowledge of all doctrine and his imperfect knowledge of God, he can still clearly find the doctrine of salvation.
It is good to remember that the inward illumination of the Spirit of God is necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
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