Protestant Source of Beliefs - for Faith and Morals ?

[WatchingMedia]

In the spirit of understanding and friendship, I have a question for our Christian friends.
I ask that only “Protestants” answer the question that applies to them only, and as briefly as possible.

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Catholics believe in Sacred Scripture (the Bible), Sacred Tradition which is handed down from the Apostles, and the Church’s Magesterium (Pope in conjuction with Bishops).
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19910116en.html

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Question for Sola Scriptura believers -
Most Fundamentalist Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura only (the Bible) for their moral compass and teachings on Faith and Morals. Is this correct?
Does any other source or human help you in interpreting the Bible or is this 100% up to you- the individual?
If helped, who are these other humans? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Question for Protestants who are not Sola Scriptura -
Is it correct that you believe in Sacred Scripture (the Bible)?
What other sources or persons (if any) do you draw upon for your religous beliefs regarding Faith and Morals? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

(I recognize that this many vary amongst the various Protestant Faiths, so if you could identify your particular Faith it would be appreciated, for better understanding.)

 

[JonNC]

In the spirit of understanding and friendship, I have a question for our Christian friends.
I ask that only “Protestants” answer the question that applies to them only, and as briefly as possible.

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Catholics believe in Sacred Scripture (the Bible), Sacred Tradition which is handed down from the Apostles, and the Church’s Magesterium (Pope in conjuction with Bishops).
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19910116en.html

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Question for Sola Scriptura believers -
Most Fundamentalist Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura only (the Bible) for their moral compass and teachings on Faith and Morals. Is this correct?
Does any other source or human help you in interpreting the Bible or is this 100% up to you- the individual?
If helped, who are these other humans? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Question for Protestants who are not Sola Scriptura -
Is it correct that you believe in Sacred Scripture (the Bible)?
What other sources or persons (if any) do you draw upon for your religous beliefs regarding Faith and Morals? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

(I recognize that this many vary amongst the various Protestant Faiths, so if you could identify your particular Faith it would be appreciated, for better understanding.)

Lutherans are classic sola scripturist, meaning that the practice of SS is to use scripture as the final norm. It does not exclude Tradition, necessarily. For example, the very first section of the Book of Concord (our confessions) is dedicated to the three ecumenical creeds. On faith and morals, we turn to the Lutherans Confessions, also our particular synod. When I have a question, I consult the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Jon

 

[Izdaari]

Lutherans are classic sola scripturist, meaning that the practice of SS is to use scripture as the final norm. It does not exclude Tradition, necessarily. For example, the very first section of the Book of Concord (our confessions) is dedicated to the three ecumenical creeds. On faith and morals, we turn to the Lutherans Confessions, also our particular synod. When I have a question, I consult the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Jon

I’m Assemblies of God, not Lutheran (actually, by doctrine I’m probably at least 1/3 Lutheran ), but I use a similar approach. Sola Scriptura, yes, but in the light of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.

• Scripture
• Tradition
• Reason
• Experience

In addition to the Scripture alone, upon which I exercise my reason and scholarship as best I can, I consult tradition (including the historic creeds and the early church fathers), Christian theologians and other luminaries, both living and dead, from various faith traditions, Christians I know personally (including my pastor of course, who is an outstanding scholar and teacher), and my denomination’s various statements of faith and position papers (however, I consider myself a non-denominational Christian who happens to belong to a church affiliated with AG, and I have a few disagreements with AG positions). And as a Pentecostal, sometimes we get a little personal divine revelation, though not necessarily on demand. (That last is in the Experience category.) Scripture, however, remains my final authority.

 

[AmateurPianist]

    Most Fundamentalist Protestants believe in **Sola Scriptura only** (the Bible) for their moral compass and teachings on Faith and Morals.  Is this correct?

Perhaps. The key issue in my mind though is how one defines Sola Scriptura.
WatchingMedia;6767735:

Does any other source or human help you in interpreting the Bible or is this 100% up to you- the individual?
If helped, who are these other humans? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

Sure. Sola Scriptura (I do not use this title and prefer the title Prima Scriptura) does not negate other influences. Church and tradition are still important. If church is important, it means that Christians are taught through the agency of their particular local church (Ephesians…God gave the church teachers).

And I also like the Wesley Quadrangle that was mentioned earlier. Tradition in mind is simply history. Most of the new heresies (name-it-claim-it…gay marriage) would be rejected if Christians used tradition/history and rejected nice, creative ideas that are only 50 years old or so.

In my mind the whole Sola Scriptura issue boils down to what relationship these other influences have with the Bible, not whether other influences are legitimate.

(I recognize that this many vary amongst the various Protestant Faiths, so if you could identify your particular Faith it would be appreciated, for better understanding.)

The local church I attend is Assembly of God. However I am Christian first. I would say that by learning about other Christian traditions, I have allowed myself to be influenced by many of them (including Catholic/Orthodox).

 

[Rightlydivide]

*Regarding Faith and Morals - *
Question for Sola Scriptura believers -
Most Fundamentalist Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura only (the Bible) for their moral compass and teachings on Faith and Morals. Is this correct?
Does any other source or human help you in interpreting the Bible or is this 100% up to you- the individual?
If helped, who are these other humans? (ie: a Pastor, etc ?)

It is the final authority. It would not be accurate to say that their teachings do not rely on individuals to convey…that is after all biblical. The Bible discusses the different roles of teachers and others.
Yes commentaries, teachers, elders, study guides etc.

 

[WatchingMedia]

To the best of my limited knowledge, you are all correct. And thank you for your kind response.

Then the question to those who took the time to answer is:
Why do many Christian non-Catholic friends argue so much about the helps that Catholics have - which includes our Tradition of the Head of our Church (Pope), and Bishops ?
They have to base their teachings on historical documents as well.

If those Christians are not interested in the possiblity of becoming Catholic, why do they insist on insulting our Pope; and insulting us for honoring the Blessed Mother of God (4th Commandment) and the Hail Mary Prayer is in all of our Bibles?

You all have been so kind. Please do not feel this is directed at you personnally. It will just help me understand, if you have ever heard any of these insults.

Thank you.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Is it any different than what a lot of groups do? World is full of people who cannot get along and criticize each other.

 

[Izdaari]

To the best of my limited knowledge, you are all correct. And thank you for your kind response.

Then the question to those who took the time to answer is:
Why do many Christian non-Catholic friends argue so much about the helps that Catholics have - which includes our Tradition of the Head of our Church (Pope), and Bishops ?
They have to base their teachings on historical documents as well.

If those Christians are not interested in the possiblity of becoming Catholic, why do they insist on insulting our Pope; and insulting us for honoring the Blessed Mother of God (4th Commandment) and the Hail Mary Prayer is in all of our Bibles?

You all have been so kind. Please do not feel this is directed at you personnally. It will just help me understand, if you have ever heard any of these insults.

Thank you.

I can’t answer for what others do. But personally I have the greatest respect for Popes JPII and Benedict, and have been blessed by their writings. I respect Catholic traditions, though I’m not personally involved in them. And I don’t diss Catholics, but consider them my adelphoi in Christ, though some of our doctrines differ. Nor do I rule out the possibility of becoming Catholic, though at this point I think the Old Catholic Church (Utrecht) is a far better fit for me than the RCC.