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Randy_Carson
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*An Examination of Paul’s Instructions to Timothy *
Many non-Catholics hold to a doctrine of sola Scriptura which proposes that the Bible Alone is the sole infallible rule of faith for the Christian. They also look to Paul’s second letter to Timothy as containing a passage that supports this doctrine. But does it? Let’s examine a broader sampling of verses from this epistle to see what the Apostles really taught.Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)
Here we see that the “norm” or “rule of faith” that Paul proposes is not Scripture Alone (since only the Old Testament existed at the time of this letter) nor what Paul has previously written in his first letter to Timothy, but rather “the sound words that you heard from me”. How can we be sure of this? Well, a few verses later, Paul specifies even more precisely:And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. (2 Timothy 2:2)This verse provides ample evidence of the concept of Apostolic Succession for in it we see reference to four generations of believers at least three of which have responsibility for teaching – which is the mission entrusted to the Church by Jesus. These “generations” are 1) Paul, 2) Timothy, 3) those to whom Timothy would charge with teaching gospel message to 4) “others”.
A little further on, Paul tells Timothy:But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Here, we find an implicit reference to the Catholic Church’s under standing of Scripture, Magisterium, and Tradition as follows:“remain faithful to what you have learned and believed **[Paul’s sound words delivered orally – Tradition],**because you know from whom you learned it **[Paul teaching with authority – Magisterium], **and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures [the Old Testament which is all that existed when Timothy was an “infant” – Scripture]
Finally, after giving Timothy clear guidance concerning the “rule of faith” contained in Paul’s oral teaching and instructing him on the importance of Apostolic Succession and the Tradition + Scripture + Magisterium formula, only then does Paul commend and clarify the value of scripture:“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)At no time in these passages does Paul suggest the concept of sola Scriptura nor would Timothy have derived this doctrine from the letters he received from the hand of the Apostle. Indeed, nowhere in all of the New Testament is the doctrine of sola Scriptura taught or implied. The Holy Spirit did not inspire any author to teach this “tradition of men”.
Many non-Catholics hold to a doctrine of sola Scriptura which proposes that the Bible Alone is the sole infallible rule of faith for the Christian. They also look to Paul’s second letter to Timothy as containing a passage that supports this doctrine. But does it? Let’s examine a broader sampling of verses from this epistle to see what the Apostles really taught.Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)
Here we see that the “norm” or “rule of faith” that Paul proposes is not Scripture Alone (since only the Old Testament existed at the time of this letter) nor what Paul has previously written in his first letter to Timothy, but rather “the sound words that you heard from me”. How can we be sure of this? Well, a few verses later, Paul specifies even more precisely:And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. (2 Timothy 2:2)This verse provides ample evidence of the concept of Apostolic Succession for in it we see reference to four generations of believers at least three of which have responsibility for teaching – which is the mission entrusted to the Church by Jesus. These “generations” are 1) Paul, 2) Timothy, 3) those to whom Timothy would charge with teaching gospel message to 4) “others”.
A little further on, Paul tells Timothy:But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Here, we find an implicit reference to the Catholic Church’s under standing of Scripture, Magisterium, and Tradition as follows:“remain faithful to what you have learned and believed **[Paul’s sound words delivered orally – Tradition],**because you know from whom you learned it **[Paul teaching with authority – Magisterium], **and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures [the Old Testament which is all that existed when Timothy was an “infant” – Scripture]
Finally, after giving Timothy clear guidance concerning the “rule of faith” contained in Paul’s oral teaching and instructing him on the importance of Apostolic Succession and the Tradition + Scripture + Magisterium formula, only then does Paul commend and clarify the value of scripture:“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)At no time in these passages does Paul suggest the concept of sola Scriptura nor would Timothy have derived this doctrine from the letters he received from the hand of the Apostle. Indeed, nowhere in all of the New Testament is the doctrine of sola Scriptura taught or implied. The Holy Spirit did not inspire any author to teach this “tradition of men”.
