Must Protestants Believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura?

[christcnection1]

I think if protestants believed what catholics believe than they would no longer be protestants, am i wrong?

***“I should not believe the Gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.”
Saint Augustine (354-430), Against the Letter of Mani, 5,6, 397 A.D… ***

Even if some Protestants do not believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura (and I do believe there are some), that doesn’t mean they are not against the teachings of the Church in other ways.

If Protestants believed everything that the Church teaches, yes, they would not be “Protestant.” They would be Catholic. Obvious point .

One of my points is that there is no authority by which Protestants must believe in Sola Scriptura or Sola Fide. They can, in good conscience, believe that the Bible opposes these two pillars, yet still consider themselves “Protestant.”

 

[mozart-250]

Must Protestants Believe in both Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura?

No. There is no one ecclesiastical organization call “Protestant” that enforces a statement of faith that includes “Sola Fide” and “Sola Scriptura”.

Aren’t they “free” to believe anything they want, based on their private interpretation of the Bible?

No. Because there are separate Protestant ecclesiastical organizations that have statements of faith that pertain to their respective organization.

Hope that helps.

 

[christcnection1]

No. Because there are separate Protestant ecclesiastical organizations that have statements of faith that pertain to their respective organization.

For most that is completely true, but I have met many “Non-Denominationalists” who do not subscribe to any one ecclesiastical organization or community. This is not the norm; this is the exception.

Would you say that these ecclesiastical organizations are a “Magisterium” unto themselves? If so, by what authority do they have to dictate the Bible’s meaning? And if they don’t see themselves in this light, how do they view themselves concerning this authority?

I am certainly painting with broad strokes here. I suspect some denominations would view themselves with this authority, while others would take a much milder view.

 

[Contarini]

Must Protestants Believe in both Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura? Aren’t they “free” to believe anything they want, based on their private interpretation of the Bible?

There is no “Protestant Church.” There are many different Protestant churches, which have different doctrinal standards. Some of these churches are very lax doctrinally, others are very strict–most are somewhere in between.

All Protestants hold to a lower view of tradition relative to Scripture than either Catholics or Orthodox do. In this sense all Protestants can be said to hold to some form of “sola scriptura.”

Edwin

 

[mozart-250]

For most that is completely true, but I have met many “Non-Denominationalists” who do not subscribe to any one ecclesiastical organization or community. This is not the norm; this is the exception.

Usually non-denominational churches have a statement of faith that pertains to the church. There may be exceptions, but generally I think this is the case.

Would you say that these ecclesiastical organizations are a “Magisterium” unto themselves? If so, by what authority do they have to dictate the Bible’s meaning? And if they don’t see themselves in this light, how do they view themselves concerning this authority?

I am certainly painting with broad strokes here. I suspect some denominations would view themselves with this authority, while others would take a much milder view.

No…because none that I know of claim that they are incapable of being incorrect on matters of faith and morals.

 

[Contarini]

I think if protestants believed what catholics believe than they would no longer be protestants, am i wrong?

Obviously if Protestants believed what Catholics believe about the Church they would not be Protestants. But one could conceivably be a Protestant and believe any other Catholic doctrine. Obviously there are many Protestant churches that would not put up with people who believed in transubstantiation or the Immaculate Conception–probably only in Anglicanism could such people be entirely comfortable (most Anglicans don’t believe in the IC and most are at least somewhat uncomfortable with the term “transubstantiation,” however close their views may be to the classical theory that goes by that name–but most Anglican churches would not be disturbed by the presence within them of people who held to these theories as theological opinions).

Edwin

 

[manualman]

The question is a strange one. There is no-one in protestantism vested with the authority to determine what you MUST believe to be a protestant. You read your bible and decide for yourself what it means. If you can find passages to defend alternatives to Sola Scriptura (obviously this approach requires that scripture be A rule of faith…) and Sola Fide, then you are covered.

Then yours can be the 26,498th protestant denomination!

 

[Syele]

Must Protestants Believe in both Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura? Aren’t they “free” to believe anything they want, based on their private interpretation of the Bible?

Probably 60% or more of Protestants do not believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura. And the vast majority of protestants do NOT believe they are “free” to believe anything they want. Variations in belief are based on the particular Church they are affiliated with. Being Protestant is not the same as being antinomian.

 

[christcnection1]

There is no “Protestant Church.” There are many different Protestant churches, which have different doctrinal standards. Some of these churches are very lax doctrinally, others are very strict–most are somewhere in between.

No argument here. This is similar to what I just said.

All Protestants hold to a lower view of tradition relative to Scripture than either Catholics or Orthodox do. In this sense all Protestants can be said to hold to some form of “sola scriptura.”

So your definition of “Sola Scriptura” would be to have a higher view of the Bible (however its “interpreted”) over Sacred Tradition or tradition in general?

If I’m understanding you correctly, this seems like a reasonable definition.

 

[christcnection1]

No…because none that I know of claim that they are incapable of being incorrect on matters of faith and morals.

So they may or may not be correct. They just don’t know for sure.

That seems like murky place to be.

 

[christcnection1]

Probably 60% or more of Protestants do not believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura. And the vast majority of protestants do NOT believe they are “free” to believe anything they want. Variations in belief are based on the particular Church they are affiliated with. Being Protestant is not the same as being antinomian.

How does one know which Protestant denominations believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura?

I’m sure a lot of Protestants would be surprised they don’t believe in these things after all.

 

[Syele]

How does one know which Protestant denominations believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura?

I’m sure a lot of Protestants would be surprised they don’t believe in these things after all.

LOL a lot of protestants never even heard the terms before. I didnt hear “Sola Fide” till I was on this forum, and I have been in Church since I was born.

You can generally find out which denominations believe what by asking them for a "Statement of Faith"The statement of Faith will generally give you an idea of what all they believe.

“Sola Scriptura” can be anything from “everything except scripture is false” to “The Bible is the only book that is God Breathed” And everything in between. usually Statements of Faith will state what they believe about scripture rather than saying they are “Sola Scriptura.” You have to state what you are talking about.

Generally, Calvinists will hold the 5 solas. And Arminians may hold to some of them but not all of them and/or have altered the definitions of them so still hold them.

 

[mozart-250]

So they may or may not be correct. They just don’t know for sure.

That seems like murky place to be.

I dunno about that.

Every other area of life functions with authority that is not “incapable of being incorrect” (sorry for the double negative here). Example…My doctor knew that I had prostate cancer and successfully performed surgery on me…even though my doctor makes no claims of being “incapable of being incorrect”. Funny how that works/

 

[Zooey]

typical textbook RCC answer. The problem here is that folks can pray with us and even for us, but they can’t do anything for us that we can’t do for ourselves with Christ, can they?

Yes, they can.** They can speak with God face to face**.
That’s kind of the idea…
Gotta learn to think before you speak… I mean, type.

Probably 60% or more of Protestants do not believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura.

I’d put that up to 3/4 or so, but I basically agree…You will find people who say they believe them, but then when you get to know them, they clearly believe something else.
The solas are a lot less followed than most Catholics assume…

And the vast majority of protestants do NOT believe they are “free” to believe anything they want. Variations in belief are based on the particular Church they are affiliated with. Being Protestant is not the same as being antinomian.

Very true.

 

[mozart-250]

I’d put that up to 3/4 or so, but I basically agree…

Actually I would bet that 3/4 of Protestants don’t know what Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura are.

And they don’t particularly care.

Actually I’m not sure what they are myself…being Latin phrases without verbs and all that…

 

[Contarini]

How does one know which Protestant denominations believe in Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura?

It’s very simple. Find their websites, which will generally have a statement of faith.

Of course, the people in the pews may not believe just what the statement of faith says. But that’s a problem Catholics have as well.

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

So your definition of “Sola Scriptura” would be to have a higher view of the Bible (however its “interpreted”) over Sacred Tradition or tradition in general?

If I’m understanding you correctly, this seems like a reasonable definition.

Well, I think “sola scriptura” is an unfortunate term. If I were to define it, I would say that it means ascribing uniqueness of some sort to Scripture. But obviously everyone does that. So I would define sola scriptura as any position that holds that some essential role within the Christian faith is played by Scripture alone in a way that makes it qualitatively superior to any other source of authority within Christianity. I’m not sure that even that is a meaningful definition. Frankly, I was speaking loosely above–my point was that “sola scriptura” can mean a lot of things, but one can at least say that all Protestants think relatively less of tradition and (compared to tradition) more of Scripture than Catholics or Orthodox.

Edwin

 

[christcnection1]

LOL a lot of protestants never even heard the terms before. I didnt hear “Sola Fide” till I was on this forum, and I have been in Church since I was born.

You can generally find out which denominations believe what by asking them for a "Statement of Faith"The statement of Faith will generally give you an idea of what all they believe.

“Sola Scriptura” can be anything from “everything except scripture is false” to “The Bible is the only book that is God Breathed” And everything in between. usually Statements of Faith will state what they believe about scripture rather than saying they are “Sola Scriptura.” You have to state what you are talking about.

Generally, Calvinists will hold the 5 solas. And Arminians may hold to some of them but not all of them and/or have altered the definitions of them so still hold them.

Most Protestants know that they are supposed to believe in the Bible alone and Faith alone. I would say more than 60%; however, I’m not sure if they do, or their respective denominations do.

 

[christcnection1]

I dunno about that.

Every other area of life functions with authority that is not “incapable of being incorrect” (sorry for the double negative here). Example…My doctor knew that I had prostate cancer and successfully performed surgery on me…even though my doctor makes no claims of being “incapable of being incorrect”. Funny how that works/

Your point is well-taken. Let’s hope it does work. The salvation of our souls is more important than a life threatening disease, as serious as that is.

I guess the question boils down to, to what extent do we believe God has ensured that His people would be guided into truth?

Although you could be correct, it’s my hope and belief that God desires more than for us to merely have a strong hunch at the truth. And why wouldn’t He?

 

[christcnection1]

Well, I think “sola scriptura” is an unfortunate term. If I were to define it, I would say that it means ascribing uniqueness of some sort to Scripture. But obviously everyone does that. So I would define sola scriptura as any position that holds that some essential role within the Christian faith is played by Scripture alone in a way that makes it qualitatively superior to any other source of authority within Christianity. I’m not sure that even that is a meaningful definition. Frankly, I was speaking loosely above–my point was that “sola scriptura” can mean a lot of things, but one can at least say that all Protestants think relatively less of tradition and (compared to tradition) more of Scripture than Catholics or Orthodox.

Edwin

I essentially agree with your loose definition.

However, the way it’s put might suggest that Catholics and Orthodox don’t think highly of scripture, which is certainly not the case. The Catholic Church uses far more of the Bible at Mass in any given year than the vast majority of Protestant churches. The majority of our liturgical prayer incorporate the Bible; I believe Anglicans do as well.

My point is that Catholics don’t look at the Bible as any less valuable as other churches; we merely place Sacred Tradition on a much higher pedestal than our separated brethren. The point being to accurately interpret scripture as a collective package.

I am happy to say that CAF and a wave of converts has certainly helped the U.S. Catholics Church rekindle a love of God’s holy word. Protestants have rightfully called us out when we have strayed from this emphasis.