Consent of All the Parts, Scope of the Whole

April 22, 2015

by David Garner

The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) paints Scripture’s beauty with its own eloquent verbal strokes: “the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole” (WCF 1.5).

In this 33-chapter summation of the teaching of Scripture, the authors of the confession celebrate how the Bible fits together seamlessly, savingly, gloriously. Like an orchestra where each instrument contributes to the whole masterpiece, the books of the Bible harmoniously resound with gospel truth from Genesis to Revelation. God’s message of redemption has always been by grace through faith. In fact, it has always been by grace through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.

Scripture’s beauty shines in part by its majestic internal gospel coherence—that each of its parts sweetly agrees, and comes devoid of dissonance, of contradiction. Paul’s gospel is Abraham’s gospel. Both share the gospel of God in Christ.

God never changes his mind, his message, or his purpose. To do so would make him less than God. Nor does he offer one means of salvation in the Old Testament and yet another means in the New Testament. To do so would undermine the purpose, necessity, and value of the work of his Son Jesus for sinners.

…Continue reading on Place for Truth.

David Garner

Dr. Garner (PhD, Westminster) is associate professor of systematic theology and vice president for advancement at WTS.

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