Protestants: Which came first, sola scriptura or the final Protestant canon?

[milimac]

If the sola scriptura doctrine came first, then by what authority could the existing canon be changed or an inspired canon be established?

If the finalization of the Protestant canon came first, the same questions above still apply. In addition, how was it determined which books were divinely inspired before the sola scriptura doctrine was able to “ensure” the correct books were included?

If I am misunderstanding the sola scriptura doctrine, please inform me.

 

[PhilVaz]

As I’ve pointed out a number of times, the “expert” on sola scriptura James R. White admits it didn’t exist in the 1st century. The canon must be complete (66 book Protestant Bible) for the sola scriptura doctrine to be valid and in effect. I’ll have to wait to get his new book on Sola Scriptura to see what his latest argument is. Wanted to add the simple definition of sola scriptura is “the Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith.” So the Scriptures as a whole (66 books for Protestants) must exist first. And White has said so since at least 1997.

Video Clip of Matatics vs. White 1997 debate

Now according to Mathison, the Reformed author of The Shape of Sola Scriptura (see my review at Amazon), the Church is the only authentic interpreter of Scripture, the pillar and foundation of truth, and outside the visible Church there is no salvation. The question then would be the identity of that visible Church, today and through time (2nd century forward). Most Protestants (particularly fundamentalists or evangelicals) won’t concede as much as Mathison who claims to represent the original doctrine of the Protestant Reformers.

Both White and Webster/King (Holy Scripture) downplay the role of the Church in their books in defense of sola scriptura.

Phil P

 

[William_Putnam]

PhilVaz:

As I’ve pointed out a number of times, the “expert” on sola scriptura James R. White admits it didn’t exist in the 1st century. The canon must be complete (66 book Protestant Bible) for the sola scriptura doctrine to be valid and in effect. I’ll have to wait to get his new book on Sola Scriptura to see what his latest argument is. Wanted to add the simple definition of sola scriptura is “the Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith.” So the Scriptures as a whole (66 books for Protestants) must exist first. And White has said so since at least 1997.

Video Clip of Matatics vs. White 1997 debate

Now according to Mathison, the Reformed author of The Shape of Sola Scriptura (see my review at Amazon), the Church is the only authentic interpreter of Scripture, the pillar and foundation of truth, and outside the visible Church there is no salvation. The question then would be the identity of that visible Church, today and through time (2nd century forward). Most Protestants (particularly fundamentalists or evangelicals) won’t concede as much as Mathison who claims to represent the original doctrine of the Protestant Reformers.

Both White and Webster/King (Holy Scripture) downplay the role of the Church in their books in defense of sola scriptura.

Phil P

 

[William_Putnam]

William Putnam:
Hummmm…Where did my comments go? I’m having trouble with this forum, finding it difficult to navigate while I reply, coming back and my previous is wiped out.

Sorry, but anyway, I am alive and kicking, Phil Provaznik!

God bless,

PAX

Bill+†+

Not riches, but God.
Not honors, but God.
Not distinction, but God.
Not dignities, but God.
Not advancement, but God.
God always and in everything.

• St. Vincent Pallotti -

 

[tralon]

What came first were the words of Jesus, then the writings of the apostles to the different churches. But there is enough in the writings the apostles left for somebody to read and get saved. Anyone who denies that is lame. But the bible doesn’t give us all the clues on what the writers actually meant on a lot of things. But enough to trust in Jesus and get saved bro. God made sure of that.

 

[theresepio]

Its my understanding that first Luther proclaimed Sola Scriptura, and then, when Eck in his debate with Luther ketp using scritpure from Maccabees to support purgatory, Luther finally claimed it wasn’t scripture, and so . . the denouncing of the 7 deuterocanonicals (and als 4 books of the NT which he was pursuaded to add back in by firends) . .

So, I would have to say Sola Scriptura definitely came first . . .

Peace in Him!