A Biblicist is a Christian who believes that the Bible is the sole and final authority in matters of faith and practice, often rejecting traditional creeds and theological systems like Calvinism and Arminianism. This approach emphasizes a literal interpretation of Scripture.
Biblicism refers to a viewpoint in which the Bible is acknowledged as the primary and ultimate authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. It places the words of Scripture above all ecclesiastical tradition, personal experience, or cultural context, insisting that an accurate understanding of life and salvation is derived from this inspired text. In this framework, the Bible is trusted as entirely truthful and internally coherent, laying out both theological foundations and guidelines for daily worship and living.Biblicism is applied in a wide spectrum of Christian traditions, but at its core is the firm belief that Scripture needs no supplementary revelation to be understood. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” This verse underpins the conviction that the Bible embodies the very words of God and is sufficient for directing believers in matters of faith and conduct.
Those who hold to biblical authority and interpret the Bible literally have always been ridiculed by those who do not.
Furthermore, critics of Biblicism fail to offer a viable alternative to the literal interpretation of Scripture. If we let go of literalism, how should we approach the Bible? Some critics of Biblicism argue that we should shift our focus onto Jesus, the Word, and see Scripture as a secondary, supportive text to what Jesus Christ taught and said and did. There is nothing wrong with focusing on Christ as our example for life, but there isn’t any real reason to relegate Scripture to “secondary” status.
We all agree that some passages of Scripture are difficult to interpret. Sometimes we can’t wrap our heads around the Bible. But it does not then follow that it is impossible to take the Bible literally or at face value. Biblicism is not bibliolatry; it is an acknowledgement that God has spoken, that He has spoken to us through His Word, and that we can understand what He has said (1 Corinthians 2:12–13).
