Do Protestants really follow the Bible alone?

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Anglicans are very close to what Wesley said above. We follow Scripture, tradition and reason. Though Scripture is seen as the primary source of Christian truth, we also see tradition as informing our understanding of Scripture and reason as helping us as well.
 
Zenkai said:
Lutherans follow the Bible along with the writings of Luther (Large Catechism, Small Catechism, etc). Reformed and Presbyterians follow the Bible along with the writings of John Calvin. Etc.
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That’s a very interesting insight. What role do historic Protestant confessionals play for sola scriptura Christians? Do the non-denominational Protestant churches have a purer form of sola scriptura that those traditional Protestant denominations with confessionals?

Personally, I have been through non-denominational and traditional Protestants churches with confessionals such as the Westminster Confession of Faith as their standard. I prefer Protestant churches with confessionals because non-denominational churches tend to wing it, and they also tend to have a very low view of church history. Independent Baptist too tends to have a very low view of church history which is a problem.

IMO, Protestant Confessionals, and commentaries are very similar to Catholic sacred and non-sacred tradition in the sense that they define how a particular church defines doctrine and interpret Scripture.
 
Swiss_Guy said:
Most do, or at least it is their final authority.
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I’ve often wondered how, if Scripture was the final authority, the Apostles were able to determine that circumcision was not expected nor required of Gentiles (recall that Acts had not yet been written at the time the events were taking place). All of the relevant Old Testament Scriptures point to the necessity of circumcision (just as all of the relevant New Testament Scriptures point to the necessity of baptism), so if the Apostles were sola scriptura adherents, would they not have determined that circumcision was expected/required of Gentiles?

Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament teaches sola scriptura. Consider the following passage:
“And he [King Hezekiah] set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.” (2 Chron 29:25 KJV)

“He [King Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps and lyres in the way prescribed by David and Gad the king’s seer and Nathan the prophet; this was commanded by the Lord through his prophets.” (2 Chron 29:25 NIV)
What we can conclude from this text is this:

(1) First, David, Gad, and Nathan were dead about 250 years at this point;

(2) Yet, they passed on a “commandment of the Lord” which was prescribed by God’s prophets on how worship was to be conducted in the temple;

(3) That prescription and commandment of the Lord is nowhere found in the Old Testament Scriptures.

So what we have here is a clear OT refutation of the Sola Scriptura principle.
 
It is sad that this kind of thread degenerates into a them and us and Catholics are right and everyone else is wrong kind of thread. It is so sad that people cannot work together and have unity. It is so sad that one bickers about the Bible and about God. It is so sad what has gone on in this thread.It is so sad that this thread makes me sad that all christians want to do is FIGHT against each other. It is so sad that this thread is the kind of thread that makes me glad I am not Catholic. I do not want to be ‘we are the ones who are right and you are wrong brigade’ That doesn’t interest me. What interests me is people are happy with God and know how to reach God. Why are you spending your time bickering about Catholics are all so right and everyone else is wrong… Yet that hasn’t been any Catholic that has been convincing on why they are right as opposed to anyone else is wrong.
Grow Up! The God that Jesus Christ shows us is not a Catholic God but a Chrislike God! Whether your Methodist, whether you are Baptist whether you are Lutheran Anglican Catholic etc, the God that Jesus Christ shows us is the Christlike God and if you wanna spend your days telling the rest of the world that Catholic is the only way when in Fact Jesus Christ is the only way to God then fine… but don’t be surprised when people prefer to hear that Jesus Christ is the only way to Christlike God and not Catholicism is the only way to Christlike God. Fine if this gets me banned as I have had enough of all the bickering that Catholics are the only way when in fact it is Jesus Christ is the only way
WAKE UP you guys, please. Be Catholic, fine but you aint the only way. Jesus Christ IS!
 
englishredrose said:
It is sad that this kind of thread degenerates into a them and us and Catholics are right and everyone else is wrong kind of thread. It is so sad that people cannot work together and have unity. It is so sad that one bickers about the Bible and about God. It is so sad what has gone on in this thread.It is so sad that this thread makes me sad that all christians want to do is FIGHT against each other. It is so sad that this thread is the kind of thread that makes me glad I am not Catholic. I do not want to be ‘we are the ones who are right and you are wrong brigade’ That doesn’t interest me. What interests me is people are happy with God and know how to reach God. Why are you spending your time bickering about Catholics are all so right and everyone else is wrong… Yet that hasn’t been any Catholic that has been convincing on why they are right as opposed to anyone else is wrong.
Grow Up! The God that Jesus Christ shows us is not a Catholic God but a Chrislike God! Whether your Methodist, whether you are Baptist whether you are Lutheran Anglican Catholic etc, the God that Jesus Christ shows us is the Christlike God and if you wanna spend your days telling the rest of the world that Catholic is the only way when in Fact Jesus Christ is the only way to God then fine… but don’t be surprised when people prefer to hear that Jesus Christ is the only way to Christlike God and not Catholicism is the only way to Christlike God. Fine if this gets me banned as I have had enough of all the bickering that Catholics are the only way when in fact it is Jesus Christ is the only way
WAKE UP you guys, please. Be Catholic, fine but you aint the only way. Jesus Christ IS!
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Jesus Christ and his Church are one. It is through the Church we receive Christ. It is only through the Church. The Church can be present in mysterious ways in other communities, but the Church of Christ subsists only in the Catholic Church throughout the ages. From a Catholic perspective, it doesn’t make sense to separate the Church and Christ. If Christ is the only Way, then the Church is the only way to get to the Way.

Surely you have interacted with others and have tried evangelizing them, or explaining your belief in Christ to them. I’ve been away from this thread for a while so I can’t say a lot, but what if the person you were sharing your faith with said, “Why do you have to be so childish and say Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way. I have a spiritual life too, and don’t be surprised if people don’t like to hear that Christianity is the only right faith. Sure, be Christian, but don’t go around thinking you are correct, you self-righteous person.”

That said, we are all sinners and all make mistakes. Especially online where it is easy to forget you are actually corresponding with another person.
 
englishredrose said:
It is so sad that people cannot work together and have unity. It is so sad that one bickers about the Bible and about God. It is so sad what has gone on in this thread.It is so sad that this thread makes me sad that all christians want to do is FIGHT against each other.

Fine if this gets me banned as I have had enough of all the bickering that Catholics are the only way when in fact it is Jesus Christ is the only way
WAKE UP you guys, please. Be Catholic, fine but you aint the only way. Jesus Christ IS!
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Nothing like contradicing yourself in your own post.
You really need to calm down.
 
As a Protestant Christian my entire life, the idea of Bible Alone theology have been abused by Protestants as individual and churches with disregard for those who went before us. I believe Protestants as a whole have too low of a view of church history. On the other hand, I believe Catholics have too high of a view of church history. The original Protestant Reformers never intended to make the doctrine of sola Scriptura in a way that most Protestants abuse and twist the Scriptures in the way that they tend to do. Proof texting is a sinful practice which misses God’s intended meaning of His Scripture revelation. I do not believe in Apostolic Succession; therefore, I believe Catholics have the exact same challenges and limitations as Protestant churches as we try to understand the will of God.
 
I’m trying to follow the bible alone, but it just sits there on the table. When is it going to move? :confused:
 
benjohnson said:
I’m trying to follow the bible alone, but it just sits there on the table. When is it going to move? :confused:
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Reminds me of my fundy days. When someone asked me the question “Where do you stand on the King James Bible?” I would often say “only my wife does that to get something off the top shelf.” She’s barely five feet tall. 😃
 
Swiss_Guy said:
Jesus Christ and his Church are one. It is through the Church we receive Christ. It is only through the Church. The Church can be present in mysterious ways in other communities, but the Church of Christ subsists only in the Catholic Church throughout the ages. From a Catholic perspective, it doesn’t make sense to separate the Church and Christ. If Christ is the only Way, then the Church is the only way to get to the Way.

Surely you have interacted with others and have tried evangelizing them, or explaining your belief in Christ to them. I’ve been away from this thread for a while so I can’t say a lot, but what if the person you were sharing your faith with said, “Why do you have to be so childish and say Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way. I have a spiritual life too, and don’t be surprised if people don’t like to hear that Christianity is the only right faith. Sure, be Christian, but don’t go around thinking you are correct, you self-righteous person.”

That said, we are all sinners and all make mistakes. Especially online where it is easy to forget you are actually corresponding with another person.
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Swiss -

What I observe on CAF is Catholics faithfully explaining the teachings of the Catholic Church. Some view this as my way or the highway. The bible says the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth. That immediately raises some questions…a few of which are:
  • is the bible the infallible Word of God?
  • What is the Church that Christ established?
  • what did Christ mean when he said he would be with his church always?
  • how does this church relate to the bible?
  • what is the Truth…and where does Truth come from?
  • should we care?
  • should we seek God’s truth, sometimes, when it agrees with us or always?
Then there are a lot of subjects where the truth is challenged:
  • belief in Christ’s divinity
  • belief in sacramental baptism (the bible says baptism is required to be saved)
  • baptism of infants, wait until 8 years old or some other age?
  • confession needed or not needed…?
  • belief in receiving the Jesus in the Eucharist…symbolic or real? (Jesus says we MUST receive him).
  • Abortion,…OK?
  • Contraception…including the pill which is an abortificient…OK?
  • Euthanasia…OK?
  • Homosexual unions…OK?
  • Suicide…OK?
  • what is the nature of salvation…once saved always saved?
  • faith alone? faith and works?
The list can go on… and on.

The dialogue is not about bickering. :slapfight: It should be charitable but honest… It should be of love of neighbor, and the hope that all will come to the fullness of fatih in the Catholic Church, for the assurance of their own salvation.
 
JustaServant said:
Reminds me of my fundy days. When someone asked me the question “Where do you stand on the King James Bible?” I would often say “only my wife does that to get something off the top shelf.” She’s barely five feet tall. 😃
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LOL JAS :).

I really think that Protestant fundamentalists really follow the pop-theology fad de jour. And they just keep on coming without a majesterium to base their ideas on.

First the rapture, then pentecostalism, then "non denominational churches which to me are really independendent denominations with one congregation each. Prosperity theology, and of course “messianic Judaism” which is not recognised by either Jews or Christians.

With no base, no church, they just keep coming.
 
Yes, we follow sola scriptura. If a person has a question about salvation, money issues, marriage, forgiveness or sex, the answers are in the Bible.

Jenn

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
1Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
 
In following a canon which is not in the bible alone, no protestant can possibly rely solely on the bible. Protestatns have to appeal to God working int htem to recognise the scripture where they see it, not that scripture speaks for itself but God in them for the sake of determining the scripture in the first place. Scripture is no alone fully sufficient for the protestant.
 
lifeisnotachoic said:
Yes, we follow sola scriptura. If a person has a question about salvation, money issues, marriage, forgiveness or sex, the answers are in the Bible.

Jenn
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Welcome Jenn.

Question…where in the bible does it say to follow solo scriptura? :confused:
 
Porknpie said:
Welcome Jenn.

Question…where in the bible does it say to follow solo scriptura? :confused:
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Thanks for the welcome!

There isn’t a place that specifically says to follow only the Bible or else. Jesus told us in the book of Matthew to follow Him. The only guide I have to Jesus’ teachings and expectations for me and my life are found in the Bible. This is just my belief. I study my Bible daily because it helps me feel closer to my Lord. I don’t follow a denomination. I follow God’s Word. I belong to a Southern Baptist church but I don’t agree with all their teachings. Once again, this is just my opinion and I think a person’s salvation is between them and God and I think people from all denominations will be in Heaven.
Have you heard the joke about the person who died and went to Heaven and Peter was showing him around all the rooms and in one room there were Lutherans and in another room there were Catholics and as they came up to another room Peter said," Ssshhh, be very quiet. This is the Baptist room and they think they’re the only ones here!!"

Sorry, I tend to go on and on when I start talking about God. I found this forum tonight because I googled a question and I have truly enjoyed reading all the posts. Thanks!
 
lifeisnotachoic said:
Thanks for the welcome!

There isn’t a place that specifically says to follow only the Bible or else. Jesus told us in the book of Matthew to follow Him. The only guide I have to Jesus’ teachings and expectations for me and my life are found in the Bible. This is just my belief. I study my Bible daily because it helps me feel closer to my Lord. I don’t follow a denomination. I follow God’s Word. I belong to a Southern Baptist church but I don’t agree with all their teachings. Once again, this is just my opinion and I think a person’s salvation is between them and God and I think people from all denominations will be in Heaven.
Have you heard the joke about the person who died and went to Heaven and Peter was showing him around all the rooms and in one room there were Lutherans and in another room there were Catholics and as they came up to another room Peter said," Ssshhh, be very quiet. This is the Baptist room and they think they’re the only ones here!!"

Sorry, I tend to go on and on when I start talking about God. I found this forum tonight because I googled a question and I have truly enjoyed reading all the posts. Thanks!
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Cute story…what do you disagree with in the SB church? helps us to get to know you a bit.

Hopefully you’ll like the conversation. Encourage you to at your leisure to go to the home page and select the READ section and read some of the “tracts”. Pick a few that sound interesting to you. I’ve had some good SB friends in my life.
 
lifeisnotachoic said:
Thanks for the welcome!

There isn’t a place that specifically says to follow only the Bible or else. Jesus told us in the book of Matthew to follow Him. The only guide I have to Jesus’ teachings and expectations for me and my life are found in the Bible. This is just my belief. I study my Bible daily because it helps me feel closer to my Lord. I don’t follow a denomination. I follow God’s Word. I belong to a Southern Baptist church but I don’t agree with all their teachings. Once again, this is just my opinion and I think a person’s salvation is between them and God and I think people from all denominations will be in Heaven.
Have you heard the joke about the person who died and went to Heaven and Peter was showing him around all the rooms and in one room there were Lutherans and in another room there were Catholics and as they came up to another room Peter said," Ssshhh, be very quiet. This is the Baptist room and they think they’re the only ones here!!"

Sorry, I tend to go on and on when I start talking about God. I found this forum tonight because I googled a question and I have truly enjoyed reading all the posts. Thanks!
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HAHHAHAH LMAO that joke is hilarious. Welcome to CAF
 
Porknpie said:
Cute story…what do you disagree with in the SB church? helps us to get to know you a bit.

Hopefully you’ll like the conversation. Encourage you to at your leisure to go to the home page and select the READ section and read some of the “tracts”. Pick a few that sound interesting to you. I’ve had some good SB friends in my life.
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First I don’t agree that its “our way or the highway”. Like I said, I think people from all denominations will make it to Heaven. That’s enough to get me “shunned”. Lol. Also, and it’s the biggie in the SB world, I don’t believe"once saved, always saved". They believe that you can bow at an altar, asked Jesus to forgive your sins, and then no matter what you do for the rest of your life, you will go to Heaven. I just have a hard time believing that. Frankly, it seems silly. God says no sin will be in Heaven so if I do something wrong, don’t I need forgiveness? If it’s that easy then why doesn’t everyone just bow down, get saved and go on exactly the way they were? I could be wrong but I just feel that if I do something wrong then I need to ask Him to forgive me.
 
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