Exactly. Why should it?
Yes, the reformers were right. Sola Scriptura, and all of the solas, came about because of the reformers belief that the visible Church, at that time, was corrupt, and those who followed them believed that it remained corrupt. I agree with them.
The reformers disagreed on many key doctrinal issues, so who was right - Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox - take your pick? If the Reformation was truly the work of the Holy Spirit then without any further complications the reformers should have come to the exact interpretation of Scriptures, why is it that they didn’t?
Historically and theologically, sola scriptura failed from its very inception, witness the disagreements between the reformers and the growth of protestant denominations since and after that “glorious” event.
The reformers were aware that the words
sola scriptura weren’t in the Scripture, but also, they were keenly aware that the scriptures were the only true repository of God’s revelation to man, and that they were the means God had ordained to lead sinners into the truth and to guide Christians in their daily lives. Many scripture passages attest to that. Christ Himself, held all of the Jews to the teachings of Moses and the prophets—another name for the OT.
Pronouncing the CC has corrupted was the only way that the reformers could justify their break from the one true Church of Christ, sola scriptura by default was their sole (literally as they had rejected Tradition and the authority of the Church) source of authority.
Another argument you’ll hear is,
the NT wasn’t canonized until long after the death of Christ, and the apostles. That is true, and the reformers knew that,
they were CATHOLICS! They also knew that the writings of the NT were in circulation well before they were assembled as the NT.
Were most people in the 1st century literate, that is, could they read and interpret the scriptures for themselves, or did someone read and intepret it for them? How does sola scriptura work for the individual who is illiterate and as such must depend on someone else’s ability to read and interpret? I would imagine that there was a good many people who were illiterate in the 1st century.
Next you’ll hear,
the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. But what is a pillar and foundation if not that which holds up the truth found in God’s written revelation.
And if the Church is that which upholds the Truth found in God’s written (and oral) revelation, what would happen to the Truth if the Church were not there to hold it up? It would invariably collapse.
Furthermore, you’ll hear that the apostles taught
oral tradition, and 2 Thess 2:15is cited as proof of that.
Yes, it was cited that we must also follow oral tradition.
Anyone caring more about truth, than about some overused and faulty apologetic, would take the time to read the entire chapter and beyond.
In so doing, one finds that Paul states,
in writing, the oral teachings he
already delivered to the Thessalonians.
Which means at one point in time he had delivered to them the teachings of Christ by word of mouth before he even wrote the letter you mention.
In v1, the oral teaching concerns the
Coming of our Lord, and our gathering to Him, and Paul reminds them that he had told that to them before in person v5. Regarding the holding to traditions in v15, one finds the other oral teaching
already delivered in v 6,
keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life. That’s a clearly
written teaching throughout scripture.
Don’t get what you’re trying to prove with this?
. . . unwritten oral tradition, taught by any apostle. It can’t be done.
Ahh, now I understand, you think that Tradition has nothing to offer as everything we need to know is pretty much in the Bible.
Well, if you would like to find out what the Apostles taught (orally) read the Didache for starters: it mentions abortion, the evil of contraceptives, the eucharist, the necessity of baptism and how it is to be performed, fasting, the role of bishops and deacons, how to recognize false prophets, penance, how Christians assembled on the lord’s day. . . . etc.
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