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Sola Scriptura... by Scripture Alone?
I am Catholic and sincerely trying to understand Protest Reformed logic in the doctrine of Sola Scriptura or the assertion that the Bible Alone is the rule of faith. As a Catholic I see the formation of the Bible to have been conducted by the Holy Spirit working through the Magisterium (Pope and Bishops) to decide what is Canon according to Apostolic Tradition - that is the tradition of Christ's teaching. Of course the Bible is the Word of God and is edifying, but I don't see where it says explicity it is soley the rule of faith. As well, implicity it does not say that, but rather it is part of Christ's Word to us along with the traditions Paul tells us to adhere to (Apostolic tradition not traditions of men) and the authority given by Christ to His apostles. It was the latter two that worked in unison with Scripture to present a Canon. Please provide an answer according to the Reformed Theology on the topic. And also comment on the assertion that 'Sola Scriptura is a tradition of men'
I just read the first few answers and I am confused because they do not relate to the question at hand. My last sentence in the post above was merely a tag on for people to defend the idea that the formation of Sola Scriptura was an invention of the Reformation Fathers and not found within the teaching of the Church 1500 years prior, thus may be called a tradition of men.
If you defend Sola Scriptura you will defend this last assertion.
Please, lets keep this civilized. I am not trying to ask a loaded question. I do really desire to understand how the Bible teaches Sola Scriptura and disproves the authority of Sacred Tradition and Magisterium which defined the canon of the Bible. Give me theological answers that apply. This is entirely born out of sincere curiosity.
And please do not refer to Paul's writings on the 'traditions of men' in pertaining to the Catholic Church's understanding of Sacred Tradition. This doctrine is that Sacred Tradition is not of men, but of God passed down through writing and word of mouth. The kind that Paul tells us to adhere to. Now that is cleared up, please keep from confusing the too in your answers.
I am unconvinced that 2 Timothy 3:15-17 says Scripture alone or faith alone. But please keep to Sola Scriptura on this thread. It does say the Bible is good for bringing salvation (paraphrase). But it does not say it is the only thing. It like if I said, "Milk does a body good" then we all start claiming milk is the only thing that does a body good. It did not say that.
Again, I am unconvinced that these passages that speak of the Bible as the Word of God, edifying, true, useful, ect. say that it is the ONLY thing by which we can define doctrine and morals. It is one of three in Catholic Theology along with Sacred Tradition (not men's tradition) and the authority given to the apostles by Christ ie. to define the canon of the Bible.
8 Answers
- 2 decades agoFavorite Answer
It's kind of like the Trinity. There is not one verse that says "God has 3 forms, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." We know from reading the scriptures that this is true though. The same applies to God wanting us to follow His word and not rely on the traditions of men (Mark 7:8-9, Mark 7:13, Colos. 2:8, Matt. 15:3-9). Now, in 2 Tim 3:15 we see that the scriptures alone were sufficient in providing Timothy with salvation (which was through faith alone in Christ). We see in the next verses that the scriptures alone are all we need for instruction in righteousness. In 1 Corinth. 4:6 Paul tells us not to look beyond what is written. There are several verses which I'll list that support this. Galations 1:12, John 10:35, Matthew 22:29. Jesus consistenly said to the Devil "It is written" in Matthew 4:4-10, Deut. 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelations 22:18-19, and 1 Corinth 14:37 just to name a few. Hope this helps! God bless
you also said:
"I am unconvinced that 2 Timothy 3:15-17 says Scripture alone or faith alone."
2 Timothy 3:15- and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- imacatholic2Lv 72 decades ago
The Catholic Church does not only use Holy Scripture for the basis of doctrine. It couldn't. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).
Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
- The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
- Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the ten commandments)
- Which books to include in the New Testament?
This second source of doctrine is called Holy Tradition.
With love in Christ.
Source(s): For more inforamtion, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.... - SEOplanNOW.comLv 72 decades ago
Sola scriptura (Latin By Scripture alone) is one of five important slogans of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Although there is no agreed-upon technical definition among Protestants, it generally meant that Scripture, as interpreted by the individual believer, is the only inerrant rule for deciding issues of faith and morals. The intention of the Reformation was to "correct" the Roman Catholic Church by appeal to the uniqueness of the Bible's authority, and to reject Christian tradition as a source of original authority alongside the Bible or in addition to the Bible. This is in contrast to Prima scriptura, which holds that the Bible is the primary source of doctrine, but that understanding can be improved by reference to other sources.
Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_scriptura - 2 decades ago
The Roman Catholic Church has brought about many changes to the Christian world throughout it's history. For instance, in 325 AD they decided to baptize in Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and they decided to sprinkle instead of full immersion. Why follow traditions of men rather than God's Word? The Bible is God breathed. Why listen to anyone else?
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- 2 decades ago
by protestant views, the Scripture does not match with the Roman Church on salvation. Through the scriptures we see a clear work-less salvation that brings good works and not vice-versa (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Titus 3:5) (Romans 10:9-13) (John 1)
- Anonymous2 decades ago
Sola-Scriptura is unbiblical
So god never said it
So it's a tradition of men
So much for Sola-Scriptura
Source(s): Bible is also unbiblical and therefore a tradition - grilleyLv 45 years ago
not if quoted from the actual scripture. The version you're utilizing is massively not so good via fact the actual, and misses the crucial, inflicting this gross fake effect which you have eisogeted: John 5:38-40 And ye have not his observe abiding in you:for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. seek the scriptures; for in them ye think of ye have eternal existence:and that they are they which testify of me. And ye won't come to me, that ye might have existence.
