Sola Scriptura

[2BinChrist]

Help, my friend is a stark fundamentalist Christian and used the following to try and prove Sola Scriptura…sometimes I feel that I do all this work and she doesn’t hear a word I say…here is what she says…
**A doctrine does not have to be taught explicitly in Scripture in order for that doctrine to be recognized as true. The doctrine of the Trinity is an example. Scripture does not come right out and say “God is a Trinity.” But the Bible does implicitly teach this doctrine by telling us that there is one God (Deut. 6:4), and that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each persons who are called God (Matt. 3:16,17; 28:19) Likewise, while the doctrine of sola scriptura may not be explicitly taught in Scripture, it most certainly is implicitly taught. **

Scripture has final authority because it is a direct revelation from God and carries the very authority of God Himself (Gal. 1:12). What the Bible says, God says. The Scriptures are the final court of appeal on all doctrinal and moral matters because they show the mind of God (2 Peter 1:21)

The Jesus Himself used the Scriptures as His final court of appeal. Jesus affirmed the Bible’s:
-divine inspiration (Matt. 22:43 David spoke through the Spirit and was quoted by Jesus);
-its indestructibility (Matt. 5:17,18 Jesus proclaimed that the Scriptures would be fulfilled in their entirety);
-its infallibility (John 10:35 Scripture cannot be broken);
-its final authority (Matt. 4:4,7,10 Jesus used Scripture, not argument, against Satan);
-its historical accuracy (Matt. 12:40 these events did occur as verified by Scripture), (Matt. 19:2-5 Jesus quoted and reaffirmed the Book of Genesis);
-and its factual inerrancy (John 17:17 God’s word is truth;Matt. 22:29 Jesus corrected the Sadducees based on knowledge of the Scripture.)

Until you are interested in seeking truth outside of the Church, we will continue to disagree. Ultimately, God is truth. And, since the Bible is His God-breathed Word to me, I accept it as my final authority. There is nothing else (whether Protestant or Catholic) that can claim to be God-breathed, wherein to place my trust.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

While those passages quoted establish that the Bible is the Word of God and that it is infallible, none of them establish that it is the sole, final authority. This part:

Matt. 4:4,7,10 Jesus used Scripture, not argument, against Satan

proves our point, not hers. That is, both Satan and Jesus quote Scripture. Jesus’ Scripture is the authoritative one because JESUS is the authority. That authority was granted to Peter and the apostles.

Yes, the Trinity is implied in Scripture, but if it was so crystal clear using Bible alone, there would not have been a massive Arian heresy. This is why Bible-alone folk get in real trouble when arguing with non-Trinitarians because they can spam just as much Scripture as they can reducing the whole excercise to ideological bluster and indecisive appeals to the Holy Spirit.

Scott

 

[coralewisjr]

and as someone told me when I was trying to help a Protestant see the light about sola scriptura: ask her to consider the negative result of sola scriptura - all these Protestant churches interpreting things in different ways, while the Catholic Church stands firm

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Fidelis]

2BinChrist:

A doctrine does not have to be taught explicitly in Scripture in order for that doctrine to be recognized as true. The doctrine of the Trinity is an example. Scripture does not come right out and say “God is a Trinity.” But the Bible does implicitly teach this doctrine by telling us that there is one God (Deut. 6:4), and that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each persons who are called God (Matt. 3:16,17; 28:19) Likewise, while the doctrine of sola scriptura may not be explicitly taught in Scripture, it most certainly is implicitly taught.

As an interesting side note, how can Protestants so fiercely apply this principle to their doctrine of Sola Scriptura, but not to Catholic beliefs that they oppose, like Purgatory or Mary’s Assumption into heaven? Seems like the principle should be applied consitently.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Fidelis:

As an interesting side note, how can Protestants so fiercely apply this principle to their doctrine of Sola Scriptura, but not to Catholic beliefs that they oppose, like Purgatory or Mary’s Assumption into heaven? Seems like the principle should be applied consitently.

Yes. Why are ALL the major Protestant Reformers right about Sola Scriptura but wrong in their condemnation of contraception? Isn’t it at least possible it is reversed?

Scott

 

[edward_george]

**A doctrine does not have to be taught explicitly in Scripture in order for that doctrine to be recognized as true. **

Hmmm…is it just me, or is that a self-defeating argument? Nowhere does Scripture say it is sufficient for doctrine, and although your friend would probably argue that Paul’s admonition to Timothy that Scripture is “profitable” implies that, it doesn’t. The verse (2 Timothy 3:16-17, by the way), even out of context doesn’t imply that. Profitable simply doesn’t mean sufficient. Put it in context, and the surrounding verses make it even clearer that there are other things to be relied upon besides Scripture (i.e. sacred tradition…Paul was writing to advise Timothy in his ministry as a bishop.)

For more, look at What’s Your Authority
on Catholic Answers.

May the Holy Spirit be upon us, arming us with the sword of His wisdom and the shield of his divine might.

-ACEGC

 

[pkmksk]

Sometimes it is better to let go of an argument if it falls on deaf ears. If someone doesn’t want to hear your side then no matter what you say they will not hear it. Afterall, weren’t the apostles told to shake the dust off of their feet if a town didn’t hear their message?

I know it sounds like giving up, but maybe your arguments would be better suited for others who wish to speak as well as listen.

 

[CARose]

You may want to share a little scripture to point out how counter scriptural the concept of Sola Scriptura really is. One passage that may help is so easily found at the very end of the Gospels, it’s John 21:24-25.

John 21

24 This is the disciple which testifiesth of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

This is just one simple passage that shows how little of what Christ shared was actually captured, or for that matter could be captured, in writing. I was thinking about it the other day when praying, that tradition really is an excellent way of maintaining the truth of something if you seek the echo of that tradition as retained in traditions across the Church. This is exactly what is done when a clarification to the teachings of the Church is required to address a potential heresy. It’s not merely because one person or group of people but based on what the church universal has been teaching over the years.

CARose

 

[Thal59]

2BinChrist:

You may want to look at John chapters 14-16 where Jesus promises to send a comforter/advocate/paraclete etc., which is the Holy Spirit. According to Jesus, the HS will call to mind all that I have taught you, teach you all things, lead you into all truth, and be with you forever.

Jesus does not say I will give thee a book that you may endlessly bicker over, rather, I will send to you the HS who will guide and teach you ALL truth.

But, notice John 16:12-16. Here is verse 12… “Many things yet I have to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

What might be unbearable to a first century Jew? The unique role of a woman in the lives of millions? (Mary) The destruction of Jerusalem? The dissolving of traditional Judaism? Rome becoming the new Holy City?

The point is that in Jesus’ own words, not everything He wishes to instruct us on is in scripture, it comes later than that. If one only has a bible, all inferred future teachings by Jesus through the HS is lost.

Tell your friend that she can have half of the truth, but we Catholics enjoy ALL the truth.

Thal59

 

[copland]

Ask your friend these questions.

If the Bible is your final authority, only authority, etc, then who had the authority to determine what books go into the Bible? Because the Bible did not fall out of Heaven one day in it’s present form. It was the Catholic Church who did all of that work, with the authority that Jesus Christ gave to Her. There were many other writings that were being circulated early on, and it took about 300 years to give a definition of what was canon/inspired writings and what was not. Who made these decisions? The Catholic Church!

I find it quite humorous that many of those who claim that the Bible is the only authority usually have a pet version of the Bible that happens to be the most authoritative, such as KJV. I guess it took 1600 years for God to give Christians the only authoritative Bible on earth. Poor Early Christians, they all missed out on the 'real Word of God. haha