Critical Analysis: Is the New Testament Part of Scripture?
- Nkengacha Marcellous Agendia
- Oct 5, 2024
- 5 min read
Dr. Abel Damina’s teaching presents an intriguing view on the nature of scripture, particularly by emphasizing that the New Testament writings, such as the Gospels and Epistles, were not considered "scripture" at the time Jesus and Paul referred to "scripture." He argues that the true scripture is Genesis to Malachi, which he calls "Jesus concealed," while the New Testament is the revelation of what was concealed. Although his argument has theological merit, it overlooks key biblical evidence that the New Testament is indeed part of scripture. This analysis will critically examine his position, offering biblical references to argue that the New Testament should also be regarded as part of scripture.
Understanding Scripture in Context
Dr. Damina’s central argument is that when Paul said "all scripture" in 2 Timothy 3:16 and Jesus referred to "the scriptures" in passages like John 5:39 and Matthew 22:29, they were speaking of the Old Testament because the New Testament was not yet written. While it’s true that at the time those statements were made, the New Testament books had not been compiled, this does not automatically exclude them from being scripture.
In fact, when Paul said "all scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), he was inspired by the Holy Spirit with a consideration and inclusiveness of what was yet to be written. The all-knowing God had a well-developed plan of salvation from the beginning and inspired His authors to possess divine knowledge in the specific areas He intended them to reveal. Paul, therefore, under the inspiration of God, could speak of "all scripture" with an understanding of the future New Testament writings that would emerge.
Similarly, when Jesus referred to "the scriptures" in John 5:39 and Matthew 22:29, He knew about the scripture that had not yet been written at the time. Jesus, being fully God, possessed complete knowledge of the salvation plan, including the eventual formation of the New Testament canon. His reference to "the scriptures" encompassed not only the Old Testament but also the revelation that would follow in the New Testament.
The term "scripture" (Greek: γραφή, graphē) is used broadly in the New Testament to refer to inspired writings. In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter refers to Paul’s letters and equates them with "the other scriptures," a strong indication that the early church recognized some New Testament writings as part of scripture even while the New Testament canon was still forming. Peter writes:
"Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:15-16)
Here, Peter identifies Paul’s letters as carrying the same authority as the Old Testament scriptures, implying that New Testament writings could also be considered scripture.
The New Testament as Divine Revelation
Dr. Damina argues that the Old Testament is "Jesus concealed" while the New Testament is "Jesus revealed," which is theologically accurate. However, this statement in itself suggests that the New Testament, being the revelation of Christ, holds an essential and inspired place in the biblical canon. In John 16:12-13, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit who will guide the apostles into all truth:
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
This passage indicates that the full revelation of Christ would come after His ascension through the Holy Spirit’s work in the apostles. The New Testament, written by the apostles and those closely associated with them, records this revelation. Therefore, if we accept that the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the New Testament, these writings should be considered scripture.
Paul’s Authority in Scripture
Dr. Damina highlights that books like Romans and Timothy did not exist when Paul spoke of "scripture" in his letters. While this is chronologically correct, Paul’s writings themselves carry authority as scripture. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul quotes both Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7 together as "scripture," saying:
"For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'"
By referring to Luke’s Gospel alongside the Old Testament, Paul elevates this New Testament writing to the status of scripture. This demonstrates that even during the apostolic era, some New Testament writings were already being recognized as part of the inspired word of God.
The Canon of Scripture
Dr. Damina’s teaching seems to imply a rigid separation between the Old and New Testaments when considering what constitutes scripture. However, the Christian understanding of scripture includes both testaments as part of one unified canon. Hebrews 1:1-2 states:
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
This passage shows that while God spoke through the Old Testament prophets, His ultimate revelation came through His Son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament records this revelation and the teachings of the apostles who were divinely appointed to share it. Jesus Himself laid the groundwork for the New Testament when He said in Matthew 24:35:
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
His words, as recorded in the Gospels, carry the eternal authority of scripture. The New Testament writings are not a separate entity from scripture but rather the completion of the revelation begun in the Old Testament.
Conclusion
While Dr. Abel Damina offers a thought-provoking perspective on the distinction between the Old and New Testaments, his teaching does not fully acknowledge the biblical evidence that the New Testament is indeed part of scripture. The writings of Paul, the Gospels, and other New Testament texts were recognized as inspired scripture by the early church, and they carry the same divine authority as the Old Testament. Both the Old and New Testaments form a unified, God-breathed scripture that reveals God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the New Testament is not merely a commentary on the Old Testament but an integral part of scripture itself.
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