Scripture as an Agent in Salvation

What Distinguishes the Bible among Christian Traditions?
The Bible's character and work is historically bound to its relationship with ...

Catholics: ... the Church (so Holy Tradition).
Lutherans: ... the Word of God (so law, gospel, biblical criticism).
Calvinists: ... the Holy Spirit (so authority, covenant, internal witness).
Wesleyans ... God's holiness (so conversion, mission, progress, devotion).
Liberals and fundamentalists: the truth (so theological, historical, scientific [un]reliability).
Barthians (and others): ... Jesus Christ (so fulfillment, 'instituting').

These can open up into a fuller 'economic Trinitarian' account of scripture.

Israel's Scripture: The Word of the Father
Israel generated and kept 'the scriptures' of Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

As Jesus' heritage, Israel's holy scriptures make him intelligible.
As Jesus' formation, they make him Jewish.
As Jesus' horizon, they define his mission as Israel's Messiah.
As Jesus' canon (rule), obedience to them is obedience to the Father (Matt 5:18).

Jesus' Scripture: The Word of the Son
Jesus never criticized nor set Israel's scriptures aside, but taught, confirmed, and fulfilled them:

His life, death, and resurrection were their content and goal
(Ps 2, Deut 8, Ps 22, Deut 32, Ps 110, Isa 53, etc.).
His coming transforms Israel's scriptures into what the Church calls "Old Testament."

As Jesus' instrument, obedience to them is obedience to him.
Jesus' new words and deeds, not just his repeated ones, are also the Word of God (1 Cor 7:25).

His historically decisive ministry authorizes 'new testament'.

In sum, Jesus 'institutes' scripture as an outward sign of his grace:

Scripture points to Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

The Church's Scripture: The Word of the Spirit
Jesus' power: Scripture is the Spirit at work in Jesus (Isa 61:1 in Luke 4:18).
Jesus' rule: Obedience to God's Word, written on our hearts, is obedience to the Spirit inspiring and writing them (2 Tim 3:16).
Jesus' community: In the Spirit, disciples speak Jesus' words for the Church (John 16:12-15, Matt 18:18-20; also John 20:22-23, Matt 10:19-20).
Jesus' tradition: Jesus Spirit-authorizes witnesses to spread the good news of his Kingdom, life, and traditions (Acts 1:8).

His followers generate Gospels, Acts, letters, and a sermon and apocalyptic prophecy.

Jesus' confession: Christians use Scripture to worship and serve Jesus as Lord (Acts 2:14-39, Phil 2:5-11).

The "Living and Active" Word of God
So scripture reflects the Father's character and will,

shares in the Son's missional ministry and truth, and
works in the Holy Spirit's power,
through Israel's and the Church's voices.

The Bible is true as God is true, in ways that accomplish God's purposes.

This validates and enriches our camps' various (otherwise possibly too narrow) claims about scripture.

From Patterns to Purposes
We can also discern scripture's purposes from scripture's own patterns, for which

God inspired them,
their authors wrote them,
Jesus received, fulfilled, and commended them, and
their audiences circulated, respected, and canonized them:

Remembrance of the Lord and the Lord’s work:

Continuity over time and distance.
Discipline.

Extension of that work

in discipleship and love,
in personal salvation/sanctification, and
in service/mission.