Does Scripture Require Us to Go Beyond Scripture?

As the author of the following article notes, there is understandable doubt in the mind of many believers as to the value of any knowledge apart from that found in the Word of God. Man so consistently seeks to rationalize sin, to exalt himself and to argue away his responsibility to God, we are skeptical about relying on human reasoning.
In today's world we face the pressures of the last days. Knowledge is being increased so rapidly that the changes are hard to keep up with. The structure of the family is crumbling. Deviate behavior is widely talked about and is gaining a measure of respectability. In the midst of such circumstances, depression and abnormal behavior are common. When such problems affect our lives, should we seek help beyond reading the Word and the fellowship of the saints? In addition to prayer, are we right in seeking professional therapy? While there is no other source of knowledge about God's will than the Bible, the following article provides some thought-provoking suggestions about the value of other areas of knowledge.

Is it permissible for man to discover science, create theory or formulate techniques beyond what is explicitly revealed or described in the Bible? Is “wisdom” given to the young or is it an experience acquired by elders? Can it simply be gained by reading the Bible or must it be experienced?

An answer is suggested by the fol­lowing: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8).

The question of whether or not we need more than our Bibles troubles most of us who wish to follow God’s word. Some of us wonder whether we are pleasing God if we acquire a university education. Most of us question the extent we should allow those educated by the world to guide us to any extent at all, such as medical doctors or psychologists. Again, does scripture suggest we should go beyond scripture or is the Bible enough?

Genesis 1-5 helps

The answer for me is found in scripture, in the first chapters of Genesis in particular. A careful look there indicates the LORD God intended for man to develop emotionally, intellectually and scientifically. Adam had to grow in these areas in order to develop spiritually. The language skills that we possess, usually as a result of formal education, should not be taken for granted. These were skills Adam had to learn.

Consider Genesis 1 as the story of creation revealed to Adam and Eve. When viewed as a conversation with Adam, its language lessons become clear. On the first three days, names are given to things. “And God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night…And God called the firmament Heaven…and God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas” (Gen. 1:5,8,10). It is as if God is instructing man in the use of language.

Later, Adam is instructed to name the animals, apparently writing the names down (Gen. 2:19); he creates the first poem (Gen. 2:23) and subsequently writes a book (5:1).

Our first parents were also instructed in what to eat: “God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed…to you it shall be for meat” (1:30). They understood the principle of observing the sabbath and the need to rest from toil (Gen. 2:3; Mk. 2:27). They received much instruction beyond the basic command that is recorded.

More than we might think

A careful and reflective reading of the first four chapters of Genesis indicates how man was to develop beyond speaking, reading and reasoning:

  1. In physical sciences such as physics and astronomy (1:14).
  2. In arts, such as poetry and music (2:23; 4:21).
  3. In earth sciences such as metallurgy, horticulture and farming — “gold of that land is good…dress it and keep it” (2:10,12,15).

Adam was the first scientist. These brief statements indicate he was schooled in the fundamentals of observing, classifying, categorizing and drawing conclusions based on a careful examination of the data. If he were not, he never would have been able to use the information or follow the instructions he was given. Nevertheless there is more.

Adam’s development is not limited to language and sciences. It was necessary for Adam to develop spiritually. It was important to the LORD God for Adam to also conclude that it was not good for him to be alone (2:18). It was necessary for Adam to have the experiences in life that would make him disposed to love his wife.

Woman was formed in a unique fashion from Adam after Adam engaged in developmental tasks. “Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found” (2:19-20 NIV). Adam’s spiritual development is being described in the context of his intellectual and emotional development. Adam needed to learn to love a wife he had not yet been given. First, he experienced the pain of loneliness after realizing that in all of God’s creation there was no other animal that could become a suitable helper for him.

Adam was thus prepared for the next stage of his development, his submission to God’s will. An operation was performed and symbolically Adam died; a deep sleep came over him. Woman was formed from him.

Adam’s response is in poetic form and with considerable emotion he says, At last, bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh! He then named her Woman (2:23).

The next stage of his spiritual development was a statement of profound truth about the necessity of leaving then cleaving, followed by an observation about the nature of the relationship between Adam and Woman (2:24-25).

Summary observations

A brief but focused argument has been made from the early chapters in Genesis. God requires us to develop. We must learn to love. We must go beyond the Bible to acquire the experiences and skills we need in order to serve the Lord.

We are not born, for example, knowing how to play the organ. If we wish to use the organ in our worship service, some of us must acquire music skills. It is important in any community of believers that there be a diversity of roles, including pastoral care (Eph. 4:11). To acquire the skills of observing, listening and submitting (what counselors should do) some of us need to learn to use the social sciences as God intended for man to do. Just as the Bible is from God, so are language, music, gold and the principles defined by physics. It is scripture that requires us to go beyond scripture.