The Sufficiency of Scripture is for the Global Church
Rooted in a shared commitment to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, the Summit calls believers to uphold God's Word as the foundation for every aspect of life and ministry, including the church's mission to the nations.
When human wisdom takes the place of Scripture, compromise follows on the mission field. Drawing on three decades of global ministry, Dr. Mark Tatlock explains how this shift has affected missions and why the authority and sufficiency of God's Word must remain the foundation of faithful ministry across every culture.
God is the divine author of Scripture. Thus, it cannot be in error. Scripture’s authority and inerrancy mean that God’s true and binding commands apply across every culture and affect every aspect of life.
But when we remove Scripture from its rightful position as our ultimate authority, it will inevitably be replaced by human wisdom.
Consider the philosophies and trends that govern missiology today. About 30 years ago, I witnessed the beginnings of doctrinal drift within prominent theological institutions here on the West Coast. These schools represented the leading voices in missions. Yet they gradually began blending their approach to ministry with secular sociology and cultural studies. Slowly, man's ideas and strategies took precedence over the primacy of Scripture and the priority of preaching.
The influence of these seminaries on the mission field was sadly detrimental, as international graduates returned to their countries with compromised and unbiblical worldviews.
“When we remove Scripture from its rightful position as our ultimate authority, it will inevitably be replaced by human wisdom.”
Scripture: The Foundation for Faithful Missions
In cross-cultural ministry, temptations to dilute and syncretize Scripture's commands are everywhere. The Christian is charged to confront false gospels and worldly wisdom, but without a clear conviction in Scripture’s authority, the believer will fall to man-made trends and unbiblical evangelistic practices.
TMAI was established on the firm conviction that training men to rightly divide and handle the Word of truth could only take place if we were committed to the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture. We are thankful that our partner institutions The Master’s University (TMU) and Seminary (TMS) have also maintained a steadfast commitment to these core tenets.
For three decades, we at TMAI have repeatedly seen that a right understanding of God’s Word is essential to every aspect of ministry, but not only in the pulpit. Issues of justice, worship, and outreach, to name a few, can be properly understood and effectively applied only within a biblical framework. Submitting to the sufficiency of Scripture gives a local church confidence that their service to Christ honors His will.
“Because He is faithful, we can be confident that ministry done according to that Word will bear eternal fruit.”
A Shared Commitment to the Sufficiency of Scripture
The attacks on the Word of God have not ceased, and the need for conviction today is as important as ever. That's why we’re eager to partner with TMU and TMS in taking a bold stance on this crucial doctrine at the upcoming Sufficiency of Scripture Summit on November 6-7.
The Sufficiency Summit, hosted by TMU, will reaffirm our joint commitment to ministry that is founded on and directed by the all-sufficient Word of God. We invite you to join us in person at Grace Community Church or via livestream to be built up in your own conviction.
Alongside the participation of our headquarters, TMAI training centers around the world will be joining in by signing the Statement on Sufficiency, writing articles to examine key issues in their contexts, and even hosting their own conferences to uphold this doctrine. (As I write this, I am enroute to preach at one of these conferences at our pre-candidate school in Armenia).
God promises us that His Word is sufficient for all of life and godliness. Because He is faithful, we can be confident that ministry done according to that Word will bear eternal fruit. As TMAI labors to equip pastors, church leaders, and disciple-makers, our prayer is that each future generation will hold fast to the precious truth that God’s inerrant, authoritative Word is sufficient.
Until they all hear,
Mark Tatlock | President · The Master’s Academy International
Faithful missions begins with a commitment to God's Word, not the changing wisdom of the world. That same conviction brings Grace Community Church, Grace to You, The Master’s University and Seminary, and The Master’s Academy International together for the upcoming Sufficiency of Scripture Summit, November 6–7. Join us in person or online as we consider why Scripture is sufficient for every aspect of life and ministry.
