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PatienceAndLove
Guest
In another thread, a poster accused Catholics of not fully understanding Sola Scriptura.
So… explain it to me then, and why it is superior.
So… explain it to me then, and why it is superior.
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Nella
Guest
This means Bible alone. Those churches who are Sola Scriptura only hold the Scriptures to be their authority. I am Anglican so therefore our church is not sola scriptura but it however does hold Scripture to be of the highest authority of the three in our church which is Scripture, Tradition and Reason in that order.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Nella-
Thank you. I understand that explanation.
However, another poster- myfavoritemartin- said that Catholics do not totally understand sola scriptura, so I am hoping that he- or someone else- can better explain it. I guess beyond what I already know.
Thank you. I understand that explanation.
However, another poster- myfavoritemartin- said that Catholics do not totally understand sola scriptura, so I am hoping that he- or someone else- can better explain it. I guess beyond what I already know.
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SyCarl
Guest
Sola Scriptura means that the Scriptures are the final and only infallible rule of faith and contain all that we need to know for salvation.
Here are some common misconceptions about Sola Scriptura.
Scripture alone does not require that anyone read the Bible. It recognizes oral teaching but the teaching must be in accord with what the Scriptures contain.
Sola Scriptura does not say that all possible knowledge is contained in the Bible. What it says is that the Bible contains all that is needed for salavation. It is the only infallible source.
Sola Scriptura does not deny traditions. However tradition is not infallible and is subject to authority of Scripture.
Sola Scriptura does not deny that the Church is necessary or that it has no teaching authority. The Church’s teaching must conform to the Bible as the only infallible source of doctrine.
Here are some common misconceptions about Sola Scriptura.
Scripture alone does not require that anyone read the Bible. It recognizes oral teaching but the teaching must be in accord with what the Scriptures contain.
Sola Scriptura does not say that all possible knowledge is contained in the Bible. What it says is that the Bible contains all that is needed for salavation. It is the only infallible source.
Sola Scriptura does not deny traditions. However tradition is not infallible and is subject to authority of Scripture.
Sola Scriptura does not deny that the Church is necessary or that it has no teaching authority. The Church’s teaching must conform to the Bible as the only infallible source of doctrine.
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
But where in the Bible does it say that Scripture is the only infallible source, and where does it say that Scripture contains all that is needed for salvation? I have read through the Bible completely several times, and I cannot find this. I find 2 Timothy, but the passage most quoted, I think verse 16, says only that all Scripture is useful for knowledge and equipping a person for every good work --not that it is the only source of knowledge (and that ‘scripture’ at the time St. Paul wrote was only the Old Testament), and certainly not that it contains all that is needed for salvation.
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SteveLy
Guest
I’m taking a risk here because my classes dealing with this were so long ago and I’m going by memory alone. I believe it was introduced by Martin Luther as he was having troubles with the RCC selling indulgences (to fund building of cathedrals). His argument was that indulgences were not necessary for redemption (or salvation) only faith, we know this because scripture tells us we are justified by faith alone (his viewpoint). Therefore only scripture should be used for a basis of knowing what is needed for salvation, not traditions of man (because they could be so seriously corrupted as proven by the actions of the church). As the church believes salvation is dependent on ones condition at the time of death, they need reconcilliation (from a priest) and therefore something more than scripture alone. Hope I didn’t botch this too badly.
Steve
Steve
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Nella
Guest
Ah, but where in Scripture does it say that there are other authorities equal to itself??
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
Hi Nella. I believe you have to answer my question first. Then of course we can go on to discuss St. Paul’s giving the Church as “the pillar and authority of Truth”.
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mozart-250
Guest
It doesn’t.
But neither does it identify any other sources as being incapable of error.
Therefore, if no other sources exists that you believe are incapable of being incorrect, you are left with just the Bible. The Bible does not need to explicitely say this in order for one to believe this is a true statement
The same logic applies to “all is needed for salvation”. If one believes that conditions “X” are “all that is needed for salvation”, and conditions “X” are all found in the Bible, then one believes that the Bible contains all that is needed for salvation. The Bible does not need to explicitely say this in order for one to believe this is a true statement.
(Nitpick time…the Bible being a document is not “incapable of being incorrect”…it is just “not incorrect”. The term “incapable of being incorrect” can really only apply to a process, not a written text.)
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Harpazo
Guest
I might be going out on a limb here, but I don’t think every Protestant sect has the same definition for Sola Scriptura. There are those who take the liberal view of it, and those who take the strict fundamentalist view. The definition depends on the individual’s personal theology as well as the Protestant sect itself.
This is just from my personal experience living in the South…
In Pax Christi
Andrew
This is just from my personal experience living in the South…
In Pax Christi
Andrew
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
2 Thess 11-15
11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. 12 But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth: 13 Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 14 *Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. *15 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace
2 Thess 6-9
6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nothing, but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.
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Yerusalyim
Guest
This brought to mind some of our Baptist brethern…I may be mistaken, but among many Baptist Churches the individual is also the interpreter of scripture…so, if we have SCRIPTURE ALONE, and each individual interprets scripture for themselves…what happens when these various interpretations conflict? What authority can be used to appeal to to correct this conflict…
what sometimes happens is local churches will split over these differences…thus fractured churches founded on different interpretations of scripture…thus…to me…the appeal of another authority…the CHURCH is the pillar and foundation of truth…the church defines scripture.
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Gabriel_of_12
Guest
You raise a historical topic to scripture, that protestants or non-Catholic Christians, do not step up to the plate to answer these scriptural teachings about authority and interpretation of scripture.
I dont understand why protestants or non-Catholics have a (sola fe) sola scriptura faith and yet Protest the source that gave them the canonized scriptures not to mention rejecting 7 of the canonized books of the bible. The sola scriptura theology doesnt enter the Christian history until 1500 years after the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church and Her bible were already in Existance. This new sola scriptura theology was unheard of by the apostsles and the writers of the new testament of whom Protestants and the like try and Quote from and interpret their writings.
How does a protestant using the sola scriptura formula’s translate this?
Ephesians 4:5 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM
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jmcrae
Guest
So, to summarize:
• Scripture Alone was invented by Martin Luther at some point after October 31, 1517
• Because he misunderstood the idea behind Indulgences, and wanted to negate Tradition because he didn’t like his own misunderstanding about Indulgences.
• (Instead of saying to himself, “HMMM, this makes absolutely no sense; I wonder if this is what the Church actually teaches about Indulgences?” and then investigating the matter for himself, instead of - and here’s the absolutely bizarre part - unquestioningly taking Father Johanne Tetzel’s word for it that that was the teaching of the Church - after all, nobody on the whole planet Earth, including himself, was ever claiming that Tetzel was infallible, or even particularly bright.)
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myfavoritmartin
Guest
fccphx.homestead.com/SolaScriptura.html
WHAT SOLA SCRIPTURA IS NOT
- First and foremost, sola scriptura is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, a manual on governmental procedures, or a catalog of automobile engine parts. The Bible does not claim to give us every bit of knowledge that we could ever obtain.
- Sola scriptura is not a claim that the Bible is an exhaustive catalog of all religious knowledge. The Bible itself asserts that it is not exhaustive in detail (John 21:25). It is obvious that the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to be sufficient as our source of divine truth.
- Sola scriptura is not a denial of the authority of the Church to teach God’s truth.
- Sola scriptura is not a denial that the Word of God has, at times, been spoken. Rather, it refers to the Scriptures as serving the Church as God’s final and full revelation.
- Sola scriptura does not entail the rejection of every kind or form of Church “tradition.” There are some traditions that are God-honoring and useful in the Church. Sola scriptura simply means that any tradition, no matter how ancient or venerable it might seem to us, must be tested by a higher authority, and that authority is the Bible.
- Sola scriptura is not a denial of the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and enlightening the Church.
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Linnyo
Guest
I’ve never understood why sola scripture is wrong since it was what I was brought up with. Any way, since being a Catholic, it has been irelevant any way. Sundays Gospel explained very clearly that sola scripture is wrong.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Sunday’s Gospel: Luke 13:22- 30
And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem. And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them: Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able. But when the master of the house shall be gone in, and shall shut the door, you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying: Lord, open to us. And he answering, shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are. Then you shall begin to say: We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. And he shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are: depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And there shall come from the east and the west, and the north and the south; and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, they are last that shall be first; and they are first that shall be last.
Linnyo-
I can see what you mean. Perhaps you can explain for others?
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Linnyo
Guest
Jesus was basically saying that if we turn up and try to claim that we are entitled to a space in Heaven, He won’t recognise those of us who have only been with Him for a time and then fallen away. He will give places in Heaven to those who have stayed with Him throughout our lives.
It was just so clear from the Gospel that a relationship with Jesus requires a long term commitment and a quick prayer (sinners prayer) isn’t going to be enough unless you maintain that relationship. Which one of us would want a fairweather friend. I wouldn’t so why would Our Father?
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jmcrae
Guest
I think perhaps you are confusing Sola Scriptura (Bible Alone) with Once Saved, Always Saved?
Since someone who believes in Bible Alone might not necessarily also believe in Once Saved Always Saved, which is what that passage seems to be addressing.
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Genesis315
Guest
The problem is, everyone knows what Scripture says, but there are all sorts of different interpretations as to what it means. Which interpretation is the infallible source of truth?
The problem with Scripture being the final authority is that human being has to read it and apply it. Human beings tend to do this differently.
This is why in America we have Supreme Court. Everyone knows what the Constitution says, but there has to be a group of individuals who rule on the correct meaning and application.
The problem with Scripture being the final authority is that human being has to read it and apply it. Human beings tend to do this differently.
This is why in America we have Supreme Court. Everyone knows what the Constitution says, but there has to be a group of individuals who rule on the correct meaning and application.
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