Hi, NonCatholic,
I would have said it a bit differently… but, in my opinin, love4mary was right on target: Scripture and/or Faith alone is not the path identified by God in either the Old or New Testaments.
Considering we are talking about nothing less then one’s immortal soul - and where it will be speding all of eternity, it is probably a good idea to get it straight to begin with and then work through it. As opposed to throwing together a couple of out-of-context scriptural quotes and just hoping for the best. Hmmm… maybe that really is laziness…
If the Bible is to be the ONLY source then it must not only act as its own reference, but must have evidence of completeness. The Bible was never designed for such a feat - while important, it is not everything. To say that, “The Bible Is Not Enough” is a hypothesis that requires proof to stand up in a debate. Let me offer some proofs, but first one quick definitions:
Bible: A collection of writings which the Church of God has solemnly recognized as inspired. (admittedly brief - but, for those interested in a more thorough definition go to:
newadvent.org/cathen/02543a.htm
Anyone making a claim that something is something must substantiate the claim. The Burden of Proof always rests with those making the claim. For example, Christ claimed He is God. He just did not make a statement and sit down, rather, He fulfilled all of the prophet’s statements, He performed super-natural signs, He foretold His own Death and Rising, and He founded His Church. In short, Christ proved His Statement.
1- The Bible, as essentially a collection of Books, was not finished (St. John writing the Book of Revelations) until around the year 95A.D.) and determined to be complete (only inspired books are contained in it) and the canon closed around 385A.D. This action was re-affirmed by the Council of Trent in 1546 (
newadvent.org/cathen/03274a.htm)).
2- There is no place in the Bible that says the Bible is the only source of truth. Merely saying, as St. Paul does, that all scripture is inspired and is profitable and beneficial for many things
( 2 Tim 3:16) is not the same as saying it is everything.
3- Jesus Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul verbally instructed and gave example those who wanted to become Christians. This is known as oral revelation and is of equal importance as the Bible. We see the following examples of oral revelation (non-written) in the Gospels as:
a.) Matt 28:20 - “…observe all I have commanded…”(not written)
b.) Mark 16:15 - Christ tells the apostles to preach (not write)
c.) Luke 1:1-4 - Luke acknowledges the faithful have already received the teachings. He is writing his Gospel to supplement it.
d.) John 24:25 -
Possibly the most damning statement concerning SS: John tells his readers that not everything has been written down.
There are also several areas in the Epistles that identify that preacing and giving good example were used - as opposed to written letter.
a.) 1Cor 11:2 - “…Hold fast to the traditions I have handed on to you…” (non-written)
b.) Phil 4: 9 - keep on doing what you have seen me do
c.) Col 4: 16 - Paul had written a letter to the folks in Laodicea - but, it is not part of the canon (I guess it was lost?) yet he references this item that is no not part of the Bible.
d.) 1Thes 2:13 - “…When you received the world of God, which you heard from us…”
Many more proofs can be given about oral tradition being what moved the Apostles to preach form Pentecost Sunday forward. It was word of mouth and actions that caused the early CC to grow.
In brief, there simply is no evidence to support scripture alone is the answer. And, this is truly an issue that addresses salvation and how we approach Christ.
Merely saying scripture alone - as the ‘Reformers’ attempted to do in an effort to break away from the CC - the Church founded by Jesus Christ on Peter as the Rock, is not evidence. There simply is no objective evidence form Scripture itself that supports this position. We have not addressed the ECF and their approach to both Scripture and Tradition as safeguarded by the CC.
God bless,
There are many reasons for this, the primary cause of such a feeling is based on works righteousness mentality that shows a lack of understanding on what Scripture teaches. Also, it is possible that those feelings or concerns come from an unregenerate heart or an unbroken pattern of sin in ones life. I’m speaking of everyone.
Paul said it this way and I don’t think he was spiritually lazy.
Romans 6:1-4 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Please draw your attention to Romans 5.
Romans 5:1-51 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
May God bless you with his peace and joy of salvation!
