Posted on 02/12/2015 2:17:57 PM PST by NYer
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Do you know how to answer a non Catholic Christian who challenges you about the Bible?
Knowing how everybody loves lists, here are ten things every Catholic should know about Sola Scriptura:
1. Sola Scriptura means “only Scripture”. It is the Protestant belief that the Bible is the only source for teaching on doctrine and morality.
2. Sola Scriptura was one of three “solos” the other two being Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
3. Sola Scriptura which means “Scripture Alone” cannot be found in the Bible. The closest proof text is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” While this verse says Scripture is useful for these things it doesn’t say Scripture is the only source for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
4. While Protestants claim to follow Sola Scriptura, in practice they interpret the Bible according to their own denominational traditions. Presbyterians have the Bible plus Calvinism. Baptists have the Bible plus their theological opinions. Lutherans have the Bible plus the teaching of Luther etc.
5. Jesus commanded and prophesied that he would establish a church, but he nowhere commanded or prophesied that a book would be written recording his words and works. This is why Catholics say the Church came first. The Bible came second. Jesus passed his authority on through the apostles–not through a book.
6. How could sola Scriptura be the only way for people to know God when, for most of history, the majority of people could neither read nor have access to books?
7. Protestants blame Catholics for believing late, man made doctrines that the early church had never heard of, but Sola Scriptura had never been heard of before the sixteenth century. Not only can it not be proved from the Bible, but there is no trace of the doctrine of sola Scriptura anywhere in the writings of the early church. The entire edifice of Protestantism, however, is based on the foundation of sola Scriptura.
8. If the only source for teaching and moral instruction comes from the Bible how are we supposed to answer the questions that arise about things that were never heard of in Bible times? How can the Bible instruct us about important current problems like nuclear war, artificial contraception, in vitro fertilization, euthanasia, gender re-assignment or genetic modification, cloning or a whole range of other modern issues. Only a living and dynamic, Spirit filled authority can sift the facts and come up with the right teaching.
9. Sola Scriptura is linked with the idea of that the Bible is easy enough for any simple person to understand. While the basic teachings seem easy to understand it is clear that the Bible is an extremely complex document which requires the insights of theologians, Bible scholars and linguists to understand clearly. Why else would Protestant pastors be required to go to seminary before being qualified to be pastors?
10. Sola Scriptura has led to the thousands of divisions within Protestantism. Because they couldn’t agree, even from the beginning, the Protestant leaders began to split and form their own sects. How could sola Scriptura be the foundation for the church when it leads to such division? How could this division be part of Jesus command and prayer that there be “one flock and one shepherd”?
I don't know God's plan. But I'd be afraid of following other than HIS plan
Meaning that you believe Protestants are not following God's plan. Fair conclusion?
If Scripture is not the source by which all truth claims must be measured, what is?
The author is wrong right out of the gate.
Catholics love to make up strawmen about what they claim Prots believe sola Scriptura is and they haven’t gotten it right yet.
Maybe they should ask Prots and LISTEN to what they’re told instead of making something up.
But then again, making stuff up seems to be SOP for Catholicism.
“I really don’t understand this statement”
Well, if you don’t understand it, how can I? It was your statement that I was quoting from your comment.
Wait a minute.
Catholics are claiming sola Scriptura is invalid and then go on to use Scripture to support their doctrines.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Catholicism.
Lol that’s one man’s interpretation
You are so funny. We Catholics accept the Scripture. It was written by the first Catholics.
We just reject the Sola part, which was established by men 1,500 years after Christ established His Church.
Jesus
Then what DOES it mean?
"We are compelled to concede to the Papists
that they have the Word of God,
that we received it from them,
and that without them
we should have no knowledge of it at all."
~ Martin Luther
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What is Biblical Prophecy? What Biblical Prophecy is NOT, and What It Really IS
Biblical Illiteracy and Bible Babel
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The "Inconvenient Tale" of the Original King James Bible
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Essays for Lent: The Bible
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"Our Father's Plan" - EWTN series with Dr. Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins on the Bible timeline
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Is the Bible the Only Revelation from God? (Catholic / Orthodox Caucus)
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: ON READING THE BIBLE [Catholic Caucus]
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When Was the Bible Really Written?
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The Accuracy of Scripture
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The Dos and Don’ts of Reading the Bible [Ecumenical]
Pope to lead marathon Bible reading on Italian TV
The Complete Bible: Why Catholics Have Seven More Books [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: Books of the Catholic Bible: The Complete Scriptures [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: When Was The Bible Written? [Ecumenical]
The Complete Bible: Why Catholics Have Seven More Books [Ecumenical]
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Glimpsing Words, Practices, or Beliefs Unique to Catholicism [Bible Trivia]
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3059418/posts?page=828#828
Here is a good definition of what is meant by Sola Scriptura.
“First of all, it is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible is not exhaustive in every detail. John 21:25 speaks to the fact that there are many things that Jesus said and did that are not recorded in John, or in fact in any book in the world because the whole books of the world could not contain it. But the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church. We do not need to know the color of Thomas’ eyes. We do not need to know the menu of each meal of the Apostolic band for the Scriptures to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church.
Secondly, it is not a denial of the Church’s authority to teach God’s truth. I Timothy 3:15 describes the Church as “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” The truth is in Jesus Christ and in His Word. The Church teaches truth and calls men to Christ and, in so doing, functions as the pillar and foundation thereof. The Church does not add revelation or rule over Scripture. The Church being the bride of Christ, listens to the Word of Christ, which is found in God-breathed Scripture.
Thirdly, it is not a denial that God’s Word has been spoken. Apostolic preaching was authoritative in and of itself. Yet, the Apostles proved their message from Scripture, as we see in Acts 17:2, and 18:28, and John commended those in Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be Apostles, Revelation 2:2. The Apostles were not afraid to demonstrate the consistency between their teaching and the Old Testament.
And, finally, sola scriptura is not a denial of the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and enlightening the Church.
What then is sola scriptura?
The doctrine of sola scriptura, simply stated, is that the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the “rule of faith” for the Church. All that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source. That which is not found in Scripture is not binding upon the Christian conscience.
To be more specific, I provide the following definition:
The Bible claims to be the sole and sufficient rule of faith for the Christian Church. The Scriptures are not in need of any supplement. Their authority comes from their nature as God-breathed revelation. Their authority is not dependent upon man, Church or council.
The Scriptures are self-consistent, self-interpreting, and self-authenticating. The Christian Church looks at the Scriptures as the only and sufficient rule of faith and the Church is always subject to the Word, and is constantly reformed thereby.
http://vintage.aomin.org/SANTRAN.html
I hope, then, that in the future you will correct any Protestant who posts: “That’s not in the Bible!” or “Where is that in the Bible?”
There is no evidence that Peter was ever in Rome—that is what the historians say. And the popes arrived on the scene long after he died.
You are a copy and paste master. Too bad you build are argument of straw.
Ok, I am cc’ing RnMomof7 on this, since we are discussing her comments.
The first request for Scripture that I see from her on that page is in comment #61, which is in direct response to comment #3, that asserts something is in Scripture. Seems a sensible request, if someone claims something is in Scripture, they should be able to present it.
The next request is comment #64. This is in response to someone posting quotes from the church fathers to support the idea of the mass as a sacrifice instituted by Christ. Now, in this case I would say that is a proper request, according to Sola Scriptura, because there are Scriptural passages which seem to contradict the idea being advocated. Under Sola, Scripture is the highest authority, so if it contradicts a doctrine from another source, you cannot argue against it, unless you can present your own case from Scripture as well.
Comment #65 is again a request for Scripture in response to someone who claimed support from Scripture but did not include a citation. Nothing improper about that.
Comment #83 is a request for Scripture backing up an extraordinary claim, the knowledge of which could only come through revelation (as it speaks of what is happening in heaven). Seems sensible enough to ask for a reference from Scripture if one is claiming knowledge of heavenly affairs, unless that person is also claiming to be a prophet.
Peter died in Rome. You are mistaken.
Yes. I have to keep my Bible locked up in another room at night. That constant muttering sound would keep me away.
AWAKE.
Thank you for the compliment. Read some of the posts. They are ALL FR threads.
Where is that belief in Scripture?
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