Sola Scriptura is not a doctrine

[De_Maria]

On an anti-Catholic board, I’m having a discussion about what one of our member said,

Paraphrasing, he said that “Sola Scriptura is a hermeneutical principle. A practice to determine whether something is a doctrine. But it is not a doctrine, itself. That is why SS is not in Scripture.”

That sounds totally illogical to me. I say, “Don’t you practice what you preach (i.e. doctrine)?” We do. We preach that a doctrine is valid if it is found in Sacred Tradition and Scripture in accordance with the Magisterium. This is what we preach and this is what we practice and this practice is taught in Tradition and Scripture in accordance with the Magisterium.

It sounds to me as though some Sola Scripturists are making an excuse for the fact that Sola Scriptura is not found in Scripture.

What do you think?

 

[Maximilian75]

If so, where is the Trinity in the Bible? There are probably many other concepts that fall into thic category…

 

[De_Maria]

If so, where is the Trinity in the Bible? There are probably many other concepts that fall into thic category…

Matt 28:19-20

…Teaching them all things I have commanded and baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…

No, in fact, the practice of Sola Scriptura is the only one that I know of, that anyone claims is supposed to be learned by osmosis. Since, apparently, it does not have to be taught.

 

[JonNC]

It sounds to me as though some Sola Scripturists are making an excuse for the fact that Sola Scriptura is not found in Scripture.

Nothing of the sort. That’s always been the understanding.

 

[Kei]

Ask them to define doctrine.

Does the Bible include the Canon?

 

[adamhovey1988]

They’re absolutely right, it’s not a doctrine, if you are Catholic. If you are Protestant, however, it is the doctrine.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Show me in the Bible where it says that sola scriptura is not a doctrine. I don’t believe it!

(The views represented in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of this poster. )

 

[De_Maria]

Show me. Maybe you can produce a teaching about SS from the AG or the BC? Oh, wait, then that would make it a doctrine. Well, too bad.

I guess this non-doctrinal practice was passed on by dna or telepathy for 500 years.

 

[JonNC]

Show me. Maybe you can produce a teaching about SS from the AG or the BC? Oh, wait, then that would make it a doctrine. Well, too bad.

I guess this non-doctrinal practice was passed on by dna or telepathy for 500 years.

So, for the Latin Church, since it teaches/ practices priestly celibacy, that makes it a doctrine. Just making excuses by calling it a discipline.

 

[De_Maria]

De_Maria:

Show me. Maybe you can produce a teaching about SS from the AG or the BC? Oh, wait, then that would make it a doctrine. Well, too bad.

Since you didn’t produce anything, I’m assuming you can’t.

I guess this non-doctrinal practice was passed on by dna or telepathy for 500 years.

So, for the Latin Church, since it teaches/ practices priestly celibacy, that makes it a doctrine. Just making excuses by calling it a discipline.

[/QUOTE]
Well, let’s compare.

A Catholic Doctrine is the Word of God. It is absolute. God is the author.

A discipline is the command of the Church. It is under the authority of the Church and can change whenever the Church wants it to change.

Are you saying that Sola Scriptura, likewise, is subject to the authority of the Church? Can the Church take it away at any time and decide there is something better out there?

 

[JonNC]

I noticed you skipped over the doctrine of priestly celibacy.

 

[JonNC]

Since you didn’t produce anything, I’m assuming you can’t.

See, I don’t have to produce anything. It is up to the person who claims to know what others believe to prove their greater knowledge.

There are lots of practices in the Church. It is a false representation that sola scriptura teaches that all practices must be found in scripture. Or that all practices are doctrines

 

[JonNC]

Are you saying that Sola Scriptura, likewise, is subject to the authority of the Church?

All practices are subject to the authority of the Church

 

[JamalChristophr]

I think that’s rather a church tradition.

Byzantine Catholic priests can be married, but they must marry before ordination. (I think that’s right.)

 

[De_Maria]

I noticed you skipped over the doctrine of priestly celibacy.

Nope. As you said, it’s a discipline which can be changed at any time. It is under the authority of the Church.

Now, will you answer the question? Oh, you did, below.

 

[De_Maria]

De_Maria:

Are you saying that Sola Scriptura, likewise, is subject to the authority of the Church?

All practices are subject to the authority of the Church

Then sola Scriptura is not the sole, final rule. Since it is under the authority of the Church to change whenever the Church deems necessary.

Thanks!

 

[JonNC]

I think that’s rather a church tradition.

Byzantine Catholic priests can be married, but they must marry before ordination. (I think that’s right.)

Yes. I know it is. I accept what Catholics say about their teachings. I’m making the point that it is uncharitable to do otherwise.
Sorry I wasn’t clear about my intent

 

[JonNC]

Then sola Scriptura is not the sole, final rule. Since it is under the authority of the Church to change whenever the Church deems necessary.

The practice of SS applies to doctrine.

 

[De_Maria]

De_Maria:

Then sola Scriptura is not the sole, final rule. Since it is under the authority of the Church to change whenever the Church deems necessary.

The practice of SS applies to doctrine.

Who taught you that?

 

[De_Maria]

Yes. I know it is. I accept what Catholics say about their teachings. I’m making the point that it is uncharitable to do otherwise.
Sorry I wasn’t clear about my intent

Traditions, doctrines and teachings are basically the same thing. Even disciplines, if you want to be technical, can be classed as teachings.

However, Catholics do not hold to a teaching that everything which must be believed has to be in Scripture, except the very teaching which says that everything to be believed must be in Scripture.

You say, it doesn’t have to be in Scripture because it’s a practice. Well, who taught you that it was a practice? Who taught you how to practice it? Who taught you the name of the practice?

Because who ever did it, indoctrinated you.

You may find it uncharitable to be told the truth. But the truth will set you free. Anything that has to be taught or passed down, generation to generation, is a doctrine.

doc·trine
ˈdäktrən/Submit
noun
a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
“the doctrine of predestination”
synonyms: creed, credo, dogma, belief, teaching, ideology; More
US
a stated principle of government policy, mainly in foreign or military affairs.
“the Monroe Doctrine”

Definition of doctrine

1 archaic : teaching, instruction
2 a : something that is taught
b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : dogma Catholic doctrine
c law : a principle of law established through past decisions
d : a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations the Truman Doctrine
e : a military principle or set of strategies

Didn’t you say that Sola Scriptura is a hermeneutic PRINCIPLE?