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Posted on 07/03/2012 9:31:36 AM PDT by Teófilo
Another nail in the coffin of the foundational Protestant dogma
Sola scriptura is dead, or at least is undead, a zombie still stalking the darkened hallways of Protestantism. Many well-meaning Protestant Christians don’t see the zombie-dogma for what it is; instead, they choose to see it as a being of light. My friend Dave Armstrong has returned to blow the old decrepit sola scriptura monsters one at a time in his latest work, 100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura.
Let’s recall the definition of the sola scriptura dogma – yes, it is a dogma – as understood by Norman Geisler, a recognized Protestant authority Dave quotes in his work:
By sola scriptura orthodox Protestants mean that Scripture alone is the primary and absolute source of authority, the final court of appeal, for all doctrine and practice (faith and morals)… (p.16)Geisler, and other authorities Dave quotes, further explain that other authorities exist, but that these are of secondary importance. Geisler also defends what he calls the perspicuity of Holy Writ, which means that anyone can understand the basic truths of Scripture: the plain things are the main things and the main things are the plain things, Geisler states. (p.17). As a true analyst, Dave separated the sola scriptura dogma into its constituents claims, found out its contents, examined its individual parts, and studied the structure of sola scriptura as whole. He found them defective and insufficient to expound and explain the full spectrum of Christian claims.
Dave kills the sola scriptura zombie by selecting 100 verses from Scripture contradicting this central Protestant claim. I guess he selected 100 verses because the number “100” gives the reader a sense of exhaustive answer and completion, not because there are only 100 verses that should make all sincere Protestant Christian at least uncomfortable with the teaching. In fact, Dave is the author of another related work, 501 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura: Is the Bible the Only Infallible Authority?, which is useful if you need another 401 arguments to kill the sola scriptura zombie dead.
100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura. is a distillation of the 501 Biblical Arguments… in a more manageable, less overwhelming fashion for the beginning reader. It’s 133 pages in length and divided into two parts. In Part 1 Dave discusses the binding authority of Tradition, as substantiated in Scripture, and in Part 2 he discusses the binding authority of the Church, again from Scripture. The result must be uncontestable to the sincere Protestant Christian as well as eye opening to the full range of deeds and wonders the Incarnation of the Word of God brought to history.Will the sola scriptura zombie really die after Dave’s work? This is a senseless question because the zombie is already dead. It’s kept ambulating by strings pulled from the most diehard of its followers. Those strings must be cut by the individual, sincere Protestant Christian himself. Dave Armstrong’s work, 100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura. not only blows the zombie of sola scriptura away, he also provides the truth-searcher with the scissors to cut off the strings.
To make it perfectly clear its divine, not human, origin, and that it survives on divine assistance, not human merit. Thanks for asking.
Sola Scriptura was one of the cardinal doctrines of the Protestant Reformation. Norman Geiser rejects reformed theology, so he is hardly the best advocate for Sola Scriptura. Regardless, I’d trust his views over the silly misunderstandings and intentional mischaracterizations of papists.
I am scared for those who place their eternal soul in the traditions and opinions of pedophile priests, blowhard bishops, crooked cardinals, and pompous pontiffs. I reject popery in all forms. Scripture, and Scripture alone, is my final authority.
>> Don’t believe me?
No, I don’t.
>> Read the book.
Oh, I do! I read THE Book. Not your book, not Dave Somebody’s book... THE Book. God’s Word is all I need, and I need all of God’s Word.
Not at all.
If one claims that the Bible alone is the rule of faith, then the Bible itself should contain an assertion that it is itself the rule of faith.
One doesn't need to believe that the Bible is the only authority to believe that the Bible has authority.
Biblical arguments for Zombies? Well, at least we only have to worry about Protestant Zombies, they are most likely less of a threat than Moslem Zombies.
I’m fine. Following my return from the sandbox, I found that I had to move from PA into Northern VA. We’re still using boxes as furniture.
The question “Why use biblical arguments to counter the doctrine of “Settle theological debates with Scripture (Sola Scriptura)”? seems to me a red-herring. The author’s purpose is to persuade those who hold sola-scriptura that Scripture itself points to other sources of authority in faith and morals which the honest person must then feel incline to explore.
Those who get hung-up in the false logic of the above question will progress no further. In fact, the question is asked to achieve such an effect. It is an attempt to make the matter irrelevant. We must avoid the trap and see beyond it.
Thank you for your kindness.
+JMJ,
-Theo
“Who needs the Bible when I can get “God told me...” from those like Pat Robertson.”
Anytime someone says “God told me” I am tempted to remind them of the commandment against taking the Lord’s name in vain.
Well, since the Bible itself refers to unwritten teachings, enjoining their obedience, that puts the SS crown in something of a pickle.
Well, since the Bible itself refers to unwritten teachings, enjoining their obedience, that puts the SS crowd in something of a pickle.
Funny...that's not what the Bible says.
Protestants often seem to frame the argument that Tradition and Scripture are antithetical and mutually exclusive and presume that Catholics do too. The Catholic Church teaches exactly what it has for 2,000 years, that Scripture and Tradition together form the Sacred Deposit of Faith.
Protestants often cite their interpretations of Scripture differing from Tradition as proof that Tradition is invalid. Nothing could be further from the truth. When interpretation of Scripture differs from the Tradition from which it was produced and canonized, it is proof that the interpretation is errant. When interpreted properly, or what constitutional lawyers would call "original intent", Tradition and Scripture never differ. To presume differently is balderdash.
Peace be with you.
The Roman "church" again rejects the WORD of YHvH :shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Yah'shua HaMashiach.Replacing it with Man-Made Tradition based on Eisegesis.
What was "The New Deal", Alex.
Then why aren't you a muslim or a mormon?
Where in the Bible does it point to the unwritten teachings that we’re supported to obey?
I hear a lot of huffing and puffing, but if you want to critique Dave’s book, you should read it yourselves and seriously consider what he says.
Now, if you even find the notion of reading such a book as deeply challenging to your faith, and you want to remain happy and emotionally secure clinging to the dogma of _sola scriptura_, I guess Dave’s book is not for you.
+JMJ,
-Theo
When I was going from Catholic lay reader to Lutheran church member, my Catholic coworkers at a Catholic hospital asked me why I was reading the Bible. Never forgot that. It amazed me at the time and still does. Sola scriptura no matter what articles people post on FR!
Because I know that Scripture teaches salvation is by grace through faith ALONE.
Actually, yes, it does say that.
Tell you what God’s Word DOESN’T say: ANYTHING at all about an “infallible” pope fabricated by men from a man.
By the way, I recognize you from earlier threads as a belligerent, militant papist; I don’t intend to have anything more to do with you.
FRegards
Sorry, FRiend; I have better things to do with my time.
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