Facts Refute the Error of “Scripture Alone”

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Put simply and bluntly, the facts of history and the teaching of Scripture clearly refute the error of “Scripture Alone” that several apostate Catholics introduced as their justification for rebelling against the Catholic Church fifteen centuries after it was founded by Jesus Christ. For most Protestants, it is ignorance, but for some, it is stiff necked opposition to the truth that keeps them enslaved to the error of “Scripture Alone”.

The Evidence From History​

The rebels who led the mis-named “Protestant Reformation”, all claimed for themselves the right to personally interpret the Scriptures and that the sole source of the truths of the Christian faith was “Scripture Alone” aided by immediate and sufficient gifts of grace by the Holy Spirit. Because of the chaos caused by the individual and private interpretation of Scripture, it didn’t take all that many years before they denied that right to others and condemned all who disagreed with their opinion of how Scripture should be interpreted. In practice, they far outstripped the Pope in their implied claim of personal infallibility.

Evidence in Nature​

The evidence from nature is identified in Scripture’s explicit affirmation that much about God is revealed through nature itself and Scripture’s expressed condemnation of those who failed to learn and act upon the truth embedded in that source of knowledge. This occurs in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures. (See and recognize the truth identified in the “Wisdom of Solomon 13: 1 – 9”. See also Romans 1: 18 – 2: 16 for what Scripture teaches; rather than continuing to follow the erroneous opinion of fallible and rebellious men.

Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For while they live among his works, they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things? (Wisdom 13:6–9 ).

Despite the obvious folly, evidenced by the chaos that followed its introduction by those original Apostate Catholics, many others continue to insist upon “Scripture Alone” despite its not being a truth that is stated in Scripture. Notice those who profess it are not following their own unsupported doctrine of Scripture alone! Scripture’s explicit contradiction of “Scripture Alone” by example and statement is presented by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2: 14-15:

For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

See part II of my earlier article, “Five Truths all Christian Share and How and Why We Separated” for Scripture’s answer to those who ignore and dismiss this Scripture’s testimony.

Evidence in Scripture​

For those still unconvinced that the Protestant doctrine of “Scripture alone” is a diabolic error, consider the fact that not only is it not explicitly found in Scripture; it is explicitly denied in Scripture’s statement of how God reveals His eternal plan and purpose to us:

Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him (Ephesians 3: 8-12).

Do recognize that the phrase, “through the Church”, is a doctrine that the Catholic Church is most strongly rejected for insisting upon and teaching. Unfortunately, Scripture’s affirmation that the Church is the body of Christ [visibly] present in the world isn’t that widely known and understood.

I believe that “The Bible alone” error conceals another vital truth that needs to be better understood, by Catholics as well as Protestants. While we need the guidance of the Church to correctly understand Scripture, we also need to personally devote time and effort to reading and striving to understand Scripture, if we are to grow in the knowledge and love of God that God intends for us.

By the “Word” of God, Jesus, becoming incarnate, Jesus was able to satisfy perfect justice by acting as both man and God to repair the damage and restore humanity to God’s friendship.

Facts Refute the Error of “Scripture Alone” - Catholic Stand