What is the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture?

Answer

The term perspicuity refers to “clarity.” Describing something as perspicacious means it is clear. The concept of the clarity of Scripture is a fundamental principle of Protestant evangelicalism concerning the Bible, alongside the beliefs in the inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency of Scripture. Essentially, the idea of perspicuity asserts that the primary message of the Bible is clear and comprehensible, and that the Bible can be interpreted correctly in a straightforward, literal manner.

The Westminster Confession of Faith outlines the Protestant perspective on the clarity of Scripture: “Not all things in Scripture are equally clear in themselves, nor equally understood by everyone. However, those things that are essential for salvation are presented so clearly and openly in some part of Scripture or another, that not only the educated, but also the uneducated, through proper use of ordinary means, can achieve a satisfactory understanding of them” (1.7).

The belief in the clarity of Scripture was a central tenet of the Reformers. Martin Luther opposed the Roman Catholic assertion that the Bible is unclear, too obscure and complex for ordinary people to grasp. The clergy claimed that the Bible was ambiguous, and that individuals should not be allowed to interpret or even read it independently. In contrast, the Reformers encouraged lay Christians to engage in the study and interpretation of God’s Word on their own. They believed that the Bible inherently declared its own clarity and that God could communicate His message to all individuals, even the uneducated. A key principle of the Reformation is that Scripture is sufficiently clear for even the most ordinary person to follow. Due to their conviction in the clarity of Scripture, figures like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Myles Coverdale, Thomas Matthew, and Pierre Olivétan wentThe translators went to great lengths to translate the Bible into the vernacular.

The Bible itself proclaims its own clarity. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 encourages parents to teach the Scriptures to their children, indicating that children can understand them. The New Testament confirms this when the apostle Paul urges Timothy to continue in what he has learned from childhood from the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-15a). Psalm 19:7 states that the “testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (ESV). Surely, those who are simple cannot be made wise by something they cannot understand. Psalm 119:130 further explains that God’s Word “gives understanding to the simple,” meaning that one does not need to be highly educated to grasp its truths. The Bible’s message is clear to everyone.

The doctrine of clarity means that the Bible is clear in its essential matters and can reveal to humanity what is understandable about God—His nature, His character, His interactions with mankind in the past, and His plans for the future. The Bible is clear in all that is necessary for people to know regarding their sinful condition, their need for salvation, and the way to obtain that salvation, faith in Christ, even the righteousness of God which comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, for there is no distinction (Romans 3:22).

The doctrine of clarity does not imply that every passage of Scripture is equally clear in its precise meaning. Certainly, some passages may be unclear to modern readers due to historical or cultural references. Additionally, some theological concepts are challenging; Peter acknowledged that Scripture contains “some things that are hard to understand” as seen in all his letters, which contain some things that are difficult to grasp, and those who areUnlearned and unstable people distort, as they do with other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16). The clarity of the Word of God does not negate the necessity for interpretation, explanation, and exposition of the Bible by diligent scholars.

Finite man can never fully grasp the infinite. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Hindered by the sin nature, our ability to completely comprehend all of Scripture will not be perfected in this life. However, one day, the understanding of all mysteries will be complete: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” «For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. », (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Furthermore, the doctrine of perspicuity does not imply that all the meanings of Scripture are fully understandable to sinful man. First Corinthians 2:14 states that the things of the Spirit are foolish to the person without the Spirit, and he cannot comprehend them. It is not that an unsaved individual cannot grasp what the words of Scripture are conveying. Instead, he lacks spiritual understanding. The Word is intelligible to an unsaved person on an external level. He understands the words, the syntax, and the sentence structure. Scripture is clear on that level, but, regrettably, its spiritual significance is either insignificant to him, or, worse, it is unbelievable. The doctrine of perspicuity must be combined with the doctrine of illumination; the Holy SpiritIt must illuminate the mind of the reader or hearer of Scripture for them to grasp its spiritual significance.

There are dangers inherent in denying the perspicuity of the Word of God. If we believe the Bible is unclear about the doctrine of salvation, for example, then we will see ourselves as unaccountable to the gospel and live as we please. Worse, if Christ is the only means of escaping an eternity in hell, but God has obscured that message, then He would indeed be cruel and capricious. But God is neither cruel nor capricious. He is not the author of confusion “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”, (1 Corinthians 14:33). He has spoken, and He has spoken clearly. His plan of salvation is clear to all because He desires mankind to be saved (Matthew 28:19-20).

Denying the perspicuity of the Word of God would also allow us to ignore the commands to read, study, meditate upon Scripture, and apply it to our lives. If the Word is unclear, then there would be no need to teach it in our homes or churches, as we are exhorted to do.

Another danger inherent in dismissing the Bible as unclear is that it absolves man of the responsibility to live within its precepts. If “Thou shalt not kill” “Thou shalt not kill.”, (Exodus 20:13, KJV) can be called into question because it’s “unclear,” then what’s to stop us from sanctioning murder? If the Bible is not perspicuous, then everyone should be allowed to do what is right in his own eyes. God has commanded us to handle Scripture accurately “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”, (2 Timothy 2:15); those who spread misunderstandings about the word of truth or who underestimate it because of a supposed lack of clarity will be “ashamed.”

Finally, if the Word of God is not clear, then translating it from the original languages and sharing it worldwide would be pointless. If the words and meanings are ambiguous, translators could alter, distort, or disregard its principles and commands, making Scripture ineffective.

The Word of God is lucid. Its meaning is understandable even to children and the simple. It illuminates our paths «Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. », (Psalm 119:105). It is flawless, true, just, and reliable (Psalm 19:8-9). Through the clear teachings of Scripture, we receive guidance, and “keeping them brings great reward” «Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward. », (Psalm 19:11).