why? Why? WHY?
When an Orthodox poster posts an Orthodox article about a difference between Orthodox views on Sola Scriptura as compared to Protestan views does everyone hijack the discussion to the old Catholic vs. Protestant debate????
Please, folks, the authority of the Pope has nothing to do with the point of the article.
Most of you haven't read te article.
It already deals with many of your objections.
Read it.
Then post.
(We now return you to your regularly scheduled food fight.)
The debate has revolved around the Catholic/Protestant aspect of the issue for several reasons.
1) With a little tweaking of the author's POV, there is little difference is his stance and that of a Catholic. Some observational asides of his about papal authority notwithstanding.
2) Given that substantial agreement, and given that most of the people taking the non-Sola Scriptura position here happen to be Catholic, it naturally follows that most of these folks will base their claims against Sola Scriptura from within their own confessional boundaries.
3) Fr. Whitehead being the exception that proves the rule, there is generally very little debate on record between Protestants and Orthodox on this, or any other issue. The Orthodox do not really have a horse directly involved in the debates with Protestants over the last 500 years, and they show little inclination to so engage. They mostly engage themselves and Catholics over nuances involving the first seven Ecumenical Councils, or, again with Catholics, with the remaining Catholic Ecumenical Councils and their disagreements with them. Sola Scriptura does not figure in, since neither Church professes it.
4) Realistically, in North America at least, this debate has *always been* something of a turf war between Catholics and Protestants. The author's background notwithstanding, his basic points will be seized upon by Catholics as relevant to their own continual debate with Protestants on this issue.