What is the rule of faith?

Answer

The term “rule of faith” is not found in the Bible. It was initially used by the early church writer Tertullian in his work “On Prescription Against Heretics.” The rule of faith consists of the principles that define a religion. Within Biblical Christianity, the Bible is regarded as the sole rule of faith. Different groups may have varying rules of faith, with some standards appearing similar while others reveal significant distinctions.

In most religions, rules of faith are based on sources other than or in addition to the Word of God, thereby rejecting the sufficiency of Scripture. This heresy has persisted and thrived since the early days of Christianity. For instance, the Gnostics in the first century based their rule of faith on the Scriptures along with a mystical knowledge accessible only to those who had attained a higher level of enlightenment. Contrary to the teachings of the Bible, the Gnostics asserted that salvation is not solely by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), but by divine knowledge or an inner light possessed exclusively by those of superior spirituality.

Evangelical Protestants adhere to the Bible as their exclusive rule of faith, reflecting their belief in the sufficiency of Scripture doctrine, which proclaims that the Bible alone is adequate to direct Christians in all matters of faith and conduct. According to 2 Timothy 3:16–17, the Scriptures are beneficial for equipping believers thoroughly for every good work. If believers are thoroughly equipped by the Word of God, nothing more is necessary. There are no varying levels of “thoroughness.” Claiming the need for something beyond the Bible as a rule of faith implies that the Bible only partially equips us, necessitating additional elements for complete and thorough preparation.

RomaIn Catholicism, additional teachings are incorporated alongside the Bible to expand the rule of faith. Catholics consider both the “written books and unwritten traditions,” which include the declarations of popes and bishops, papal bulls, and various councils. While Catholics uphold the Bible as God’s Word, they believe it is incomplete without these writings of men. In Mormonism, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price are added to the Bible as equally inspired texts, contributing the opinions, views, and interpretations of men alongside the Word of God.

Within Wesleyans, the “Quadrilateral” serves as the rule of faith, encompassing the Bible, tradition, reason, and experience. This approach also questions the sufficiency of Scripture. Although Wesley himself may not have intended for the four rules of the Quadrilateral to be considered equal, by introducing three additional sources of authority alongside the Scriptures, he created room for misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Relying solely on tradition, reason, and/or experience can lead to justifying beliefs in almost anything. Jesus explicitly warned against equating tradition with Scripture as part of the rule of faith, rebuking the Pharisees for nullifying the Word of God in favor of their traditions (Mark 7:6-13). Once the Word of God is no longer regarded as the sole rule of faith and practice, heresy can easily emerge, and rectifying the situation becomes challenging.

While it could be argued that the writers of the gospels and epistles were presenting their views and interpretations as they wrote, this differs from the pronouncements of the popes and bishops in Catholicism or figures like Joseph Smith. The New Testament writers were supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit, who is the ultimate Author of Scripture. These biblical writers “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

They were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21).

The Bible itself asserts that believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19), who teaches, interprets, brings truths to mind, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26), and guides us into all truth, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13). For evangelical Christians, the Word of God and its Author are the true rule of faith. This is not to say that preachers and teachers are unnecessary. But the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is a cornerstone of the evangelical rule of faith.