Dr. Al Mohler at Liberty University Convocation: ‘Scripture is enough’

Dr. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, addressed students Wednesday during Liberty University’s Convocation, delivering a message from a famous parable and charging students to realize that Jesus affirmed through the parable that “Scripture is enough.”

Mohler has served for 30 years as president at SBTS and is recognized across the world for his work as an evangelical theologian. In addition to serving as president, Mohler also hosts a podcast, “The Briefing,” where he breaks down recent news and current events from a biblical worldview.

During Convocation, Mohler preached from Luke 16:19-31, reading the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, pointing out how the themes are still important for Christians today and answering the question: “What did Jesus believe about the Bible?”

“He would have us believe about the Bible what He believed about the Bible,” Mohler said, “and that is that the Bible is the Word of God unto salvation.”

Mohler talked about the great reversal that’s exhibited throughout Scripture, including in this parable. Whereas the rich man with every worldly belonging he desires dies and is sent to hell, Lazarus, a believer who died destitute at the foot of the rich man’s table, went to heaven to be “in Abraham’s bosom.”

Because of the chasm between heaven and hell in this parable, Mohler explained how Abraham was not able to relieve the rich man of his torment.

“In speaking this passage, Jesus finally closes that door and says, ‘Once that door swings and once it closes, it can never be reopened,’” Mohler said in reference to death and salvation.

The finality of that statement is “bracing,” he continued, pointing out that people don’t know how long they have on this earth.

But the parable doesn’t end there. The rich man instead asked if Abraham could send Lazarus to tell his brothers of his situation in torment.

“This is where we see a swerve in this passage,” Mohler said. “Abraham said to the rich man, ‘Interesting, you want me to send Lazarus to your brother’s house in order that they may repent.’”

Mohler said that Abraham told the rich man, “‘They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. … The Scripture has all things necessary for them to know how to avoid hell and find forgiveness in the grace and mercy of God.’”

The rich man responded that if Abraham had sent someone who was raised from the dead, they would believe. But Abraham replied, “If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, then they will not believe, even if one should rise from the dead.”

“The One who spoke this passage is the One who rose from the dead,” Mohler said.

In this passage, Mohler noted that Jesus shows the full authority that He ascribes to Scripture.

“This is what Jesus believes, that (the Bible) is the sole final authority. He believes the Bible is sufficient … all of it given to us, all of it unbroken and unbreakable, all of it spoken by God. We have nothing else to bring, we need nothing else.”

Mohler said while it was too late for the rich man to realize that, it’s not too late for those living today to come to the realization that the Scriptures are all humanity needs.

“We’re dependent on the Word of God not because this is just where Revelation ended; we’re dependent on the Word of God because it is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword,” Mohler said. “It is not a dead word of letters. It is the Living Word of the Living God.”

Prior to his sermon, Mohler thanked Liberty President Dondi Costin and Chancellor Jonathan Falwell for the opportunity to speak at Convocation. He also recalled his fond relationship with Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell and noted how proud Falwell Sr. would be of the university today.

“Part of me knows how much Dr. Jerry Falwell would rejoice in just seeing this, and from seeing you,” said Mohler. “Because the one thing I knew about Dr. Falwell is the love he had for the students of Liberty University as an extension of his love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and his love for the church and his love for the Scripture.”

Mohler added that he is thankful for the spiritual work taking place on Liberty Mountain.

“A campus like this is about the students … and I just want to tell you that you have no idea how much you mean, not only to the cause of Christ, but what you mean to the faculty in this school, the leaders of this school, and to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.”