The Master’s University and Seminary is pleased to announce the release of the Statement on the Sufficiency of Scripture ahead of the Sufficiency of Scripture Summit on Nov. 6-7, where it will be publicly ratified in partnership with TMUS’s affiliated ministries.
Dr. Abner Chou, president of TMUS, says that this statement is intended to be a document similar in scope and aim to the historic Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, arming the next generation of the church with clear language for carrying forward this essential doctrine with clarity and conviction. It was written in partnership with representatives from TMUS, The Master’s Academy International, Grace to You, Grace Community Church, and The Master’s Fellowship.
The statement’s preamble highlights this goal, saying, “In light of the current battle for the Bible, we are putting forth this statement to both define and defend the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. Scripture is authoritative revelation, and its scope, while not exhaustive, is comprehensive, framing all life and godliness. Neither common grace nor general revelation can ever place man’s observations on equal footing with what God has said.”
The statement is organized into five sections: the substance of Scripture, the scope of Scripture, the sufficiency of Scripture for godliness, the sufficiency of Scripture for life, and the sufficiency of Scripture for all things.
In its final affirmation, the statement says, “We affirm that what Scripture directly addresses, it authoritatively defines, and to what it indirectly pertains, it definitively frames. We affirm that Scripture alone can guide every aspect of life to that which is eternally meaningful and the ultimate end of all existence, namely, the glory of God in Christ.”
In a final ceremony at the Sufficiency of Scripture Summit, guests of honor will publicly affirm, sign, and release the official statement, while attendees will have the opportunity to add their names physically and digitally.
Chou says that this statement, and the doctrine it defines, is particularly important to TMU’s mission and identity.
“The reason we believe that Christians should teach in a distinctive way that captures everything to the lordship of Christ is because we believe that Scripture frames everything in our existence,” Chou says. “If that conviction goes away, there is no reason for TMU to exist, theologically speaking. So you have to get this doctrine right.”
The Sufficiency of Scripture Summit is being hosted in partnership with several other ministries, including Grace Community Church, Grace to You, The Master’s Academy International, The Master’s Fellowship, the John MacArthur Publishing Group, Accountable2You, Children’s Hunger Fund, Three Sixteen Publishing, Shepherd Press, and the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
TMU invites all who are interested to read the full statement and register for the Summit here.
