Fr. Z: a slap in the face?

[pnewton]

I was taught when something said is unclear, go back to the last thing the Church has taught on a matter and stick with that until clarity is made on what you have recently heard.

This is pretty good advice. It is also a charitable way to avoid rash judgement. Simply do not judge at all. Go back to the clear teaching.

As to sola scriptura, it is over-used here, though the problem with most Catholics is more of an excess to judge tradition on their own. So here is a good rule of thumb. Any time, Scripture is used, instead of condemning the particular use, take the time to point out the mistake in how a Scripture is used. Do not just write if off as wrong.