Scripture Alone – Why the Bible Is Our Final Authority | She's a Theologian: Learning to Know God as Christian Women

Artwork Credit: Still Life with Bible (1885) by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890). Public domain image accessed via Artvee.com.

    What does it mean for us, as Christian women, to believe in Sola Scriptura? It means that in all things that concern life, godliness, and worship, we do not look first to voices around us or feelings within us. We look to the Word of God. When we say Scripture alone, we are not rejecting the value of wise counsel, historic creeds, or trusted teaching. We are saying that only the Bible is without error, fully sufficient, and finally authoritative for what we believe and how we live.

    This is not something we confess because it sounds reverent. It is something we confess because Scripture itself claims it. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” and is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” so that the person of God may be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16–17). That includes us. Whether we are discipling a child, making decisions about work, or sorting through difficult relationships, God’s Word equips us for every good work.

    The Bible is not partial. It does not speak only to men, leaders, or scholars. Its truth is for all God’s people. It is sufficient to teach us how to walk as women who fear the Lord (2 Pet 1:3), clear enough that even the simple may understand it (Ps 119:130), and strong enough to anchor us when opinions and emotions rise louder than truth. And though it was written long ago, it is not outdated. It is living, active, and enduring forever (Heb 4:12; Isa 40:8).

    Yet the temptation to look elsewhere is also a reality. As women, we may be drawn to voices that are persuasive, compassionate, or relatable. We may feel more helped by a personal story than a passage of Scripture. But Scripture does not exist to compete with personality. It exists to correct our natural inclinations and guide us into what is true. Paul warned of a time when people would grow tired of sound teaching and gather teachers who say what they already want to hear (2 Tim 4:3–4). That temptation is not only out there. It may even be living quietly in us.

    When we base our beliefs on what feels right, rather than what is written, we risk confusing sincerity with truth. It is possible to be very sincere and very wrong. That is why Sola Scriptura matters. It draws us back to the source. The Word does not flatter us. It sanctifies us (Jn 17:17). It does not merely affirm. It transforms. And as women who are constantly being shaped by stories, media, and expectations, we need this kind of firm foundation.

    This is also why we cannot hand over the work of studying the Word to others. As women, we may feel content to follow what our pastors, husbands, or teachers say—and yes, we are to learn with humility and gratitude—but we are also called to know the Word for ourselves. The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily, testing what they heard (Acts 17:11). And Paul told Timothy that the Scriptures were able to make him wise for salvation, even from childhood (2 Tim 3:15). That invitation is open to us. We are not outside the circle of serious study. We are called into it.

    When we read the Bible with dependence, asking the Lord for wisdom (Jas 1:5), we are not proving our capability. We are walking in obedience. And when we refuse to believe something unless it can be shown in the Word, we are not being stubborn. We are being faithful. Sola Scriptura is not a harsh doctrine. It is a protective one. It guards us from deception and draws us to Christ, who is the living Word at the center of it all.

    The world will continue to present us with new voices, modern ideas, and spiritualized content. But none of these can feed the soul like Scripture. That is why we return to it. Because we seek clarity, because we love the God who speaks.

Common Questions Women May Ask

“I already attend church regularly and listen to sound teaching. Do I still need to study Scripture personally?”

    Yes. While faithful teaching is a gift, it cannot replace our own responsibility to know God’s Word. The Bereans were commended not for how well they listened, but for how carefully they examined Scripture (Acts 17:11). Whether we are single, married, working, or raising children, we are not excused from study. We are invited to it. Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures made him wise from childhood (2 Tim 3:15). That same Word is able to make us wise as women today.

“Can I trust myself to interpret the Bible without formal training?”

    Yes, but with humility. The Bible is not hidden from ordinary believers. It is meant to be read, studied, and understood by all who belong to Christ. Some parts require deeper study, but many parts are clear to those who approach with reverence (Ps 119:105, 130). God has given the Holy Spirit to all believers, not just scholars (Jn 16:13). That includes women.

“Does the Bible really speak into modern issues that women face?”

    Yes. The Bible may not mention every issue by name, but it addresses the heart behind them all. Scripture teaches us how to honor God in our thoughts, desires, relationships, and responsibilities. It helps us discern what is wise, holy, and eternal in a world that praises what is popular, easy, or temporary (2 Pet 1:3; Rom 12:2). It does not tell us everything we want to know. It tells us everything we need.

“What if I feel more helped by a testimony or devotional than by reading a passage of Scripture?”

    Testimonies and devotionals may offer warmth, but they are not our source of truth. They can be meaningful, but only if they reflect what God has already said. When the Word feels dry and other things feel rich, we must ask whether our taste is being trained by truth or by comfort. Scripture is living and active (Heb 4:12), even when our hearts are dull. We need to keep coming, not because we feel something every time, but because God speaks through His Word whether we feel it or not.

Common Objections to Sola Scriptura and Gentle Refutations

“The early church did not have the New Testament. They relied on tradition. Why should we say Scripture alone today?”

    It is true that the early church received truth through the apostles, both spoken and written (2 Thess 2:15). But that apostolic teaching was preserved by God in Scripture. Once the canon was complete, we were no longer dependent on oral tradition. Jude tells us the faith was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We are not meant to keep adding to it. Today, what we need has already been written.

“But isn’t it dangerous to interpret Scripture on our own? Shouldn’t we rely on the church to tell us what it means?”

    We are not alone when we read Scripture. God gave pastors and teachers to the church for our good (Eph 4:11), and the fellowship of believers helps guard us from error. But no church tradition or leader has authority above God’s Word. Even Paul urged believers to test what they heard (Acts 17:11; Gal 1:8). We do not reject guidance. We reject replacing Scripture with other voices.

“Sola Scriptura has led to division. If everyone interprets for themselves, will there ever be unity?”

    The problem is not Scripture. The problem is sin. Even in the early church, divisions arose because of pride, false teachers, and misuse of the Word (2 Pet 3:16; 1 Cor 1:10–13). Sola Scriptura does not guarantee agreement, but it does give us one clear, God-given standard. True unity cannot be built on human opinion. It must be built on truth.

“Tradition, experience, and culture are also important. Why insist on Scripture alone?”

    Tradition has its place. Experience matters. Culture gives context. But none of these are flawless. Scripture alone is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16). All other authorities must submit to it. When tradition contradicts the Word, we obey the Word. When experience leads us away from truth, we return to truth. Scripture alone has final say because God alone has final authority.