[Glossary] The Neo-orthodox's Containment Theory of the Word of God

1. (Clark 1965, 15-16): "And today neo-orthodoxy loudly insists that the word of God is found in the Bible, perhaps only in the Bible, but that not everything in the Bible is true. These modernists could appeal to the Shorter Catechism, Question 2: 'What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? The word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.' Does it not say that the word of God is contained in the Scriptures? Somewhere, but not everywhere, between Genesis and Revelation, the word of God is to be found. This is their contention."

According to the Containment Theory, the Word of God is contained in some, but not all, parts of the Bible.


Reference:

Clark, Gordon H. 1965. What Do Presbyterians Believe? The Westminster Confession: Yesterday and Today. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company.

End.