"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." -- John 21:25
God, however, chose not to inspire men to write every single thing that Christ did or said. So what? From everything we know He did and said we are sufficiently equipped to live a God-glorifying, obedient, joyful life.
This fact also does not permit us to make things up which is what the church in Rome does. It makes things up.
Paul is only saying what a great aid scripture is, but in no way is he defining sola scriptura.
"A great aid?" Why do you think Scripture is a "great aid?"
Scripture is God-breathed. Scripture is the primary means by which God ordained the Holy Spirit to reach His children. Christ spoke by Scripture. Christ was Scripture, the word of God made flesh.
...the distinctive and the controversial doctrines or practices of the Roman Catholic Church (the distinctive and controversial doctrines, and practices of the Roman Church) are all founded solely upon alleged tradition! Purgatory, the mass, transubstantiation, indulgences, the treasury of merit, penance, the rosary, prayers to Mary, holy water, the papacy, and on and on. Those things which are distinctive to the Roman Catholic Church, you will find, that when you get into debates with Roman Catholics, they appeal not to biblical exegesis to support, but they appeal to this alleged Apostolic Oral Tradition that supposed to still be alive in the Church. And I think that's just asking a bit too much of anybody to expect that those heavy and controversial points could be founded not upon an objective Word from God (in the way that we've seen at the beginning of tonight's lecture), but to be founded upon an unverifiable, subjectively adduced tradition that is said to be Apostolic...""...I am convinced (as Luther was convinced) that if we give up sola Scriptura, we will inevitably give up sola Gratia as well. Because the giving up of the Protestant authority (the principle of sola Scriptura) simply opens the door for other ways of pleasing God to enter in that are not based upon His own revelation. And it's a very short step from thinking that I can follow a religious tradition that cannot be verified objectively by the Word of God to the idea that I can please God by something that He has not provided. It is a very short step from the denial of sola Scriptura to the denial of sola Gratia when it comes to salvation....
On another thread it was noted that there are a large number of Catholics ready to give Mary the official and irrevocable and ex cathedra place of "co-Redeemer" with Christ thus giving to Mary credit for both the work (sola Christus) and the Glory (Sola Deo Gloria) of salvation.
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:13 KJV)
Good post, Doc.
Everyone has a fundamental moral standard. Some folks choose the Bible, some their church, some themselves.
You quoted 2 Tim. 3:16-17 and asked what more is there. I responded by providing John 21:25.
"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." -- John 21:25
I think that verse implies that there is a lot more. Coupled with Christ's apparent preference for an oral presentation of His gospel, and the promise of the Paraclete as a guide to truth, it is safe to assume that what was eventually recorded in a written form might not necessarily contain everything that Our Lord taught.
This fact also does not permit us to make things up which is what the church in Rome does. It makes things up.
Your alleged fact, "From everything we know He did and said we are sufficiently equipped to live a God-glorifying, obedient, joyful life", does not support the conjecture that the RCC makes things up.
"A great aid?" Why do you think Scripture is a "great aid?"
I am paraphrasing Paul. He calls scripture helpful, profitable, etc.
Scripture is God-breathed.
I agree.
Scripture is the primary means by which God ordained the Holy Spirit to reach His children.
Disagree. In that Christ told his apostles to go out and preach amongst the nations, it can be deduced that He preferred personal contact and personal witness over scripture. The same principle would apply to baptism. In fact, one could probably argue that the entire sacramental system was and is the primary means.
Christ spoke by Scripture. Christ was Scripture, the word of God made flesh.
I probably disagree, depending on exactly what you mean by "word".