The Authority of Scripture

This paper contrasts John Locke's view of the authority of scripture with his rejection of the authority of experts. Testimony provides evidence, but because this evidence is fallible, it can be doubted when contrary evidence is available. By contrast, Locke holds that scripture is infallible and therefore cannot be doubted or rejected, even in the face of counterevidence. On this view, those who accept scripture as divine revelation are obligated to believe whatever it says, and to believe it confidently, even when other evidence conflicts with scripture. This paper uses Linda Zagzebski's account of epistemic authority to clarify this position. Locke adopts a similar view regarding scripture, and this paper explains how this is consistent with his evidentialist epistemology.