The Bible is the most influential and widely read book in human history. Its teachings have shaped the course of civilization, inspired countless works of art and literature, and provided guidance and solace to millions of believers around the world. But most importantly, it is God’s revelation of Himself that He provided to His Creation so that we may know Him and worship Him.

One of the most debated beliefs in Protestantism and the Evangelical Church is the idea that the Bible’s teachings are self-evident, easy to understand, and can be grasped by anyone, regardless of his education or social status. This is called the Doctrine of the Perspicuity of Scripture, and it has been ardently supported by many influential Protestant theologians and Church leaders throughout Church history. However, some church traditions, notably the Roman Catholic Church, still reject this teaching and insist that the Scriptures cannot be understood by common people.

In Catholic theology, the interpretation of the Bible is impossible for individual believers and instead is interpreted by the church’s teaching authority, which is seen as being entrusted with the responsibility of interpreting the Bible’s teachings correctly. The Catholic Church also teaches that the Bible’s teachings are part of a broader tradition that includes the church’s teachings, liturgical practices, and sacraments, and that this tradition is essential for understanding and applying the Bible’s message to our lives.

In contrast, the Reformers came to a completely different view arguing that God gave the Scriptures to us all and upon illumination by the Holy Spirit, anyone can hear the Word of God and understand it.

The Doctrine of the Perspicuity of Scripture refers to the clarity of the Bible’s teachings which can be understood by all believers regardless of their socioeconomic status. This doctrine is an essential part of the Protestant faith and is based on the belief that God communicates with humanity through the Bible. The doctrine holds that the Bible’s teachings are clear, self-evident, and do not require any specialized esoteric knowledge or interpretation to understand.

Many Protestant theologians have defended the doctrine of Perspicuity of Scripture throughout the centuries. One of the most significant proponents of this doctrine was Martin Luther, who believed that the Bible was the only source of divine revelation and that it was accessible to all Christians. Luther taught that the Bible’s teachings were so clear and self-evident that they did not need any interpretation or explanation from the church hierarchy. He believed that the Bible could be understood by anyone who read it with an open heart and mind.

In his book, Bondage of the Will, Luther argues,

“But the notion that in Scripture some things are recondite and all is not plain was spread by the godless Sophists… —who have never yet cited a single item to prove their crazy view; nor can they. And Satan has used these unsubstantial spectres to scare men off reading the sacred text, and to destroy all sense of its value, so as to ensure that his own brand of poisonous philosophy reigns supreme in the church.”

John Calvin was another prominent defender of the doctrine of Perspicuity of Scripture. Calvin taught that the Holy Spirit illuminates the meaning of the Bible’s teachings, making them clear and understandable to all believers stating that it is “with great insult to the Holy Spirit it is asked who can assure us that the Scriptures proceeded from God.” Calvin believed and taught that the Bible was the ultimate authority on matters of faith and that its teachings could not be superseded by any human authority.

Other important defenders of this doctrine include John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and John Wesley. All of these figures believed that the Bible’s teachings were clear and self-evident and that they could be understood by all believers, regardless of their education or social or religious status.

One of the most common objections to the doctrine of Perspicuity of Scripture is that it leads to subjective interpretations of the Bible’s teachings. Critics of the doctrine argue that if everyone can interpret the Bible’s teachings for themselves, then there is no objective standard for determining what the Bible actually teaches.

While it is true that the doctrine of Perspicuity of Scripture can lead to subjective interpretations of the Bible’s teachings, this does not necessarily mean that there is no objective standard for determining what the Bible teaches. The Protestant faith has always maintained that the Bible is the ultimate authority on matters of faith and that its teachings must be interpreted in light of the broader context of the Bible’s teachings.

Moreover, while the Bible’s teachings may be clear and self-evident, this does not mean that they are always easy to understand. The Bible contains many complex and challenging teachings, and it can be challenging to understand some of these teachings without the help of scholars and theologians. However, this does not mean that the Bible’s teachings are not clear or that they cannot be understood by all believers.

The doctrine of Perspicuity of Scripture does not mean that we do not need or should not rely on the work of godly teachers and theologians either now or in Church history. Nor does it mean we should ignore the works of other experts or scholars to guide our understanding of the Bible’s teachings. Rather, it affirms that the Bible’s teachings are clear and self-evident and that they can be understood by all believers with the guidance of historic theology. The doctrine stresses the importance of studying the Bible ourselves and using our own God-given faculties of reason and understanding to interpret its message.

This approach is exemplified by the Bereans in the book of Acts, who were praised for studying the Scriptures themselves and using their own judgment to determine their meaning. By encouraging individual interpretation and study of God’s Word, this doctrine empowers believers to engage with the Bible’s teachings directly and deeply understanding them, knowing God personally, rather than blindly relying on the authority of the magisterium or Church tradition. While theological guidance and expertise is certainly helpful in interpreting the Bible’s teachings, ultimately, it is up to each individual believer to study, understand, and defend the Scriptures for themselves.

The works of scholars, theologians, and church leaders are given to the Church to teach us how to study and understand Scripture as opposed to interpreting it for us, and this is perfectly consistent with the doctrine of Perspicuity.