Today, I feel the need to talk about a foundational doctrine of the Protestant Reformation—Sola Scriptura, the belief that Scripture alone is our highest authority. But I also want to explore something that often gets lost in this discussion: Is God still speaking today?
Sola Scriptura is a Christian doctrine that means “by Scripture alone,” asserting that the Bible is the sole infallible authority for Christian faith and practice. It emphasizes that all necessary truths for salvation and spiritual life are found in Scripture, without the need for additional authoritative sources. By thus definition it also would mean that God’s conversation with humanity ended when the last book of the Bible was written. It’s as if, after John penned the final words of Revelation, God closed His mouth and left us only with the written text. But I don’t see it that way. I believe that while Scripture is our infallible guide, God is not done speaking to His people. He speaks through nature, through others, and yes, even through personal revelation. However, these experiences must always be tested against the unchanging truth of Scripture.
So today, we’re going to explore:
1. The history of Sola Scriptura—where it came from and why it matters.
2. The dangers of both extremes—elevating Scripture to the exclusion of God’s continued voice or chasing every new revelation without a biblical foundation.
3. How God still speaks today—and how we can discern His voice without compromising the authority of His Word.
Let’s begin by taking a look at history.
The Birth of Sola Scriptura
To understand Sola Scriptura, we have to go back to the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. The phrase itself—Latin for “Scripture alone”—became a battle cry against the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church.
For centuries, the Catholic Church held that divine authority rested on three pillars:
1. Scripture (the Bible)
2. Sacred Tradition (the teachings of the Church passed down through history)
3. The Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Pope and bishops)
The problem was that over time, the Church elevated Tradition and Church authority to the same level—or even higher—than Scripture itself. Teachings that had no biblical foundation, such as indulgences (buying forgiveness), purgatory, and papal infallibility, were accepted as divine truth.
Then came Martin Luther, the German monk who challenged these ideas. In 1517, he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door, protesting against corrupt practices. But his real break with the Church came when he declared that Scripture alonewas the highest authority, not the Pope or Church councils.
Luther stood trial at the Diet of Worms in 1521, where he famously said:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason… I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other.”
That moment set the stage for the Protestant Reformation. From that point on, Reformers like John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and later the Puritans built their theology around the idea that Scripture alone was the ultimate standard of truth.
The intent of Sola Scriptura was not to silence God but to ensure that everything we believe about Him is grounded in His revealed Word. But over time, some took this principle to an extreme—claiming that God no longer speaks at all.
The Danger of Two Extremes
When discussing how God speaks, there are two dangerous extremes we must avoid:
Extreme #1: God Has Stopped Speaking
This extreme, found in some Protestant traditions, insists that once the Bible was completed, God went silent. They argue that:
• Prophecy has ceased (based on 1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
• God does not reveal Himself personally anymore.
• All communication from God must come strictly from Scripture.
Now, let me be clear: I believe Scripture is complete. There is no “new Bible” being written. Nor will there ever be. But to say that God is silent contradicts Scripture itself.
Psalm 19:1-2 says:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
John 10:27—“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us:
“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.”
This tells us that while Scripture is our foundation, God still speaks through His creation, through His Spirit, and through His people.
Extreme #2: Chasing Every “New” Revelation
On the other hand, we have a growing movement that prioritizes personal revelation over Scripture.
This can lead to:
• People claiming new, unbiblical doctrines (“God told me something not in the Bible”).
• Prophets who contradict Scripture (“God gave me a new revelation that changes everything”).
• A lack of accountability—if every voice is from God, then who is to say what is true?
1 John 4:1 warns us:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
This is why we must test everything—visions, dreams, prophecies—against the unchanging standard of Scripture.
How God Still Speaks Today
So if we avoid these extremes, how does God still communicate with us?
1. Through Scripture (The Primary Authority)
This is first and foremost. If we believe God is speaking, but it contradicts the Bible, it is not from God. Every vision, dream, or impression must be tested against Scripture.
2. Through Creation
Romans 1:20 says:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”
The beauty of the stars, the complexity of DNA, the vastness of the ocean—God’s fingerprints are everywhere.
3. Through the Holy Spirit
John 14:26—“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Spirit convicts, leads, and speaks to us in ways aligned with God’s Word.
4. Through People
God often speaks through wise counsel, pastors, and fellow believers. Proverbs 11:14 says:
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
5. Through Personal Revelation (Tested by Scripture)
Sometimes, God may impress something on your heart—a conviction, a calling, a warning. But here’s the key: It must always align with Scripture.
For example, if someone claims, “God told me you don’t need Jesus to be saved,” that’s clearly false. But if someone says, “I feel like God is calling me to minister to the homeless,” that aligns with Scripture’s call to love others.
Conclusion: A Balanced View
So, where do I stand?
• Sola Scriptura means the Bible is our infallible guide.
• But it does not mean God has stopped talking to His people.
• God still speaks—through His creation, His Spirit, and His people—but never in contradiction to His written Word.
Let us not fall into the error of thinking God has gone silent, nor into the error of chasing every new voice without biblical discernment. Instead, let us walk in faith, listening for God’s voice while standing firmly on His Word. Trust me when I say that when you hear God’s voice there is no mistaking it.
God is still speaking—are we listening?
Thank you.