Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2016

It was exactly 500 ye a r s ago, in 1516, in the Swiss city-state of Basle, that a new book would roll off the still- new device called a printing press. This book would become a “best- seller” throughout Europe and in 30 years would revolutionize the whole continent. This work by the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus was titled Novum Instrumentum , but would be better known by the title of its later editions, Novum Testamentum, the New Testament. Commonly known as Erasmus’ Greek New Testament, this edition of the Bible included not only the anticipated Latin text, but also the New Testament in Greek. CHANGEDWORLD Studying the New Testament in its original Greek would eventually have profound impact on professors and pastors, including those named Luther, Zwingli, Tyndale, Calvin, and Knox. These Reformers would rally around the theme of “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture as the only authority) as a chief piece in the Reformation that would change politics, literature, art, culture, education, and, of course, the church. Sola Scriptura challenged the great thinkers in universities, courtrooms, palaces, city councils, and cathedrals to wrestle with the implications of the authority of the Bible in every area of life, culture, and society. Several decades later, biblical authority would be a guiding principle for the American colonies. Founded in 1887, Cedarville University has inherited this rich tradition of biblical authority. The Cedarville motto declares that our work is “For theWord of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” so we stake our claim to the tradition of the great Reformers before us. Just like the Reformers, the founders and previous leaders of Cedarville University have led the charge of recognizing the effects of biblical authority, not just on church life but in every arena of thought and culture. Biblical authority not only presses us onward to cultural engagement, but it also guides the particular type of engagement and its ultimate end. Our commitment to the Word of God leads us to extend the Testimony of Jesus Christ. TRANSFORMED LIVES How does a commitment to biblical authority actually shape the decisions and daily activities Biblical Authority WeBelieve in Biblical Authority by Jason K. Lee The Cedarville motto declares that our work is “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” so we stake our claim to the tradition of the great Reformers before us. Cedarville Magazine | 5