But there is a glaring problem with the above position, and it is this: Who gets to define what Sola Scriptura means? And by what authority?
Well, the definition of Sola Scriptura is a historical fact… the CONTENT and MEANING of Scripture might be in question, but not the definition of sola Scriptura.
If the Bible is the final authority on such a matter, then it must be the Bible itself that defines Sola Scriptura. Otherwise, it is just someone’s oral tradition.
Sola Scriptura is a hermeneutical and ecclesiastical principle, not specifically a doctrine of Scripture itself, though on may argue that the concept is found there.
Millions of people who believe in Sola Scriptura baptize infants, yet millions of others who believe in Sola Scriptura do not baptize infants. Thus, it is obvious that someone does not understand Sola Scriptura.
Untrue, both paedobaptists and credobaptists may ascribe to Sola Scripture as a principle… but they can disagree on the content of Scripture. One will find, however, in salvific matters, that denominations that ascribe to sola Scriptura agree. It is on the secondary (mode and subjects of baptism) and tertiary (eschatology) issues that sola Scriptura denominations differ. Much like Roman Catholics who differ on Augustinian or Aquinan theological constructs.
But if a person wants a proper understanding of Sola Scriptura as opposed to Solo Scriptura, where does that person go for the answer? To the Reformers? Why do that? They are not the final authority in such a matter.
To a Latin dictionary, perhaps… since it is the definition of the words that are important in this case. Again, sola Scriptura does not, in and of itself, define other doctrines, rather it is a principle that states that the final authority is Scripture.
The question here is
not about the specific contents of Scripture, but how one comes to understand those contents.
The final authority on what constitutes Sola Scriptura is the Bible itself,
Ok… if you want to take it that way, I’ll show you how it works.
so the question becomes: What part of the Bible defines for us what Sola Scriptura means so that we can know with certainty what it entails?
Well, firstly, one doesn’t go looking to the Bible to determine what “sola Scriptura… entails”, rather in looking through they Bible they come to discover that sola Scriptura is a principle expressed therein (and followed by the Apostles and ECFs).
One looks thru Scripture and finds passages such as 2 Tim 3:16-17 and Acts 17:11 that teach that the Scriptures are sufficient to equip the man of God for every good work, and that the people of Thessalonica didn’t accept anyone testimony without “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Herein is the basis for the doctrine… one can, from reading the text, comparing it with other Scriptures, understanding the grammar and such… all by the guidance of the Spirit of God, understand what the Scriptures teach and can therefore determine rightness of given views.
This is the very method that all Roman Catholic apologists engage in when they attempt to argue a point from the text of Scripture that has not been infallibly established by the Pope and/or Magisterium.
Finally, we also note from Scripture the structure of the church and its purpose on Earth and therefore cannot accept the notion of ‘solo scriptura’ as the doctrine is often characterized as. One man, cannot determine a doctrine opposed to the evident meaning of the text, the historical understanding of said text, and the church’s definition of said text. See, that’s where sola and “solo” differ. The church, tradition, pastors, teachers, elders etc have authority, but the final authority is Scripture. Folks may argue over the meaning of difficult passages and secondary and tertiary issues, but the salvific content of Scripture is plain to all.
What generally happens, in any “solo” type context, is that the individual becomes the authority, establishes doctrines opposed to the text and historical understanding and then establishes a cult completely opposed to sola Scriptura. This is evident with groups such as the Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists and even charismatic groups wherein claims of prophetic visions and the like trump Scripture… these visions and claims then become dogmatic declarations which supercede the Word of God.
) thereof.