A Biblicist is predominantly someone who relies solely on the Bible as their SUPREME AUTHORITY and source of knowledge. They use Scripture to guide them in every aspect of life.
However, critics often question or undermine the doctrines of scriptural INNERANCY and INSPIRATION. They frequently accuse Biblicists of bibliolatry, or “Bible worship.”
They argue that Biblicism leads to a SUPERFICIAL understanding of life and MISAPPLICATION of the Scriptures—
—but those who hold to BIBLICAL AUTHORITY and interpret the Bible literally have always been disparaged by those who do not.
While there can be extremes in Biblicism, its critics don’t go far enough in giving Scripture its due. Since the Bible is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), it is AUTHORITATIVE, INFALLIBLE, UNCHANGING—
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
— Matt. 24:35, KJV
—and it deserves the final say in ALL MATTERS.
Nevertheless, the notion that Biblicists use the Bible as a “universal textbook” is often OVERSTATED. In truth, few Christians advocate this extreme view.
A balanced perspective of Scripture recognizes its PURPOSE, CONTEXT, and INTENT.
Yet, searching the Scriptures makes it abundantly clear that fundamental biblical principles can apply to a WIDE RANGE of subjects.
For example, reading the Bible will not directly improve one’s roundhouse kick—
—but for a discerning mind, the Bible’s instructions on self-control, integrity, hard work, humility, and perseverance are relevant to disciplines like martial arts, enhancing one’s ABILITY and CHARACTER both in and out of the ring.
As Miyamoto Musashi said, “If you know the way broadly, you will see it in everything.”
“Some critics of Biblicism complain about interpretive pluralism—the tendency of different groups of believers to interpret Scripture differently. This, according to some, disproves Biblicism. It’s true that various groups have latched on to various interpretations of the same passage, but that can be attributed to human fallibility, cultural influences, lack of training, poor hermeneutics, ignorance of the whole Word of God, selfishness and pride, failure to mature, and undue emphasis on tradition. It is not necessary to shift blame onto the interpretive framework. A violin teacher, using the Suzuki method, will get different results from her students. Does that mean the Suzuki method is flawed?”
— Source: GotQuestions
While interpreting some biblical passages can prove CHALLENGING, difficulty in understanding a particular detail doesn’t mean the Bible cannot be taken literally or at face value.
Biblicism is NOT about idolizing the Bible; it’s about recognizing that God has communicated with humanity through His Word “who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” (Heb. 1:1)—
—and this message can be universally understood by all PEOPLE at all TIMES by those with eyes to see and ears to hear (1 Cor. 2:12–13; Matt. 13:16).
Praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose “word is a lamp unto [our] feet and a light to [our] path” (Ps. 119:105)—
—and “whoever follows [Him] will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
What Is a Biblicist?
The term “biblicist” can be used in a few different contexts:
- Theological Perspective: In theological terms, a biblicist is someone who bases their beliefs and practices strictly on the Bible. They often maintain that the Bible is the sole and infallible source of Christian doctrine and may reject extra-biblical sources such as tradition or ecclesiastical interpretations if they are perceived to contradict the Biblical texts.
- Interpretation Approach: Biblicists typically advocate for a literal or straightforward interpretation of the Bible. They tend to emphasize the importance of scripture over other sources of authority, such as church hierarchy or tradition.
- Academic Field: In an academic context, a biblicist could refer to a scholar who specializes in the study of the Bible. This use of the term is less about the individual’s personal beliefs and more about their area of academic expertise.
- Criticism or Label: Sometimes, the term is used pejoratively to criticize individuals or groups who are perceived to interpret the Bible in a rigid or overly literal way, possibly ignoring historical context, cultural background, or scholarly interpretations. However, Biblicism does not ignore context. On the contrary, a literal hermeneutic involves considerations of a passage’s historical, cultural, and literary framework. Any interpretation must agree with the context of the Bible as a whole, since the Bible—the authoritative Word of God—is its own best commentary.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Tim. 3:16-17, ESV
Related: “What Christian Denomination Am I?“
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