To a Catholic, it is simply bizarre to think that God reveals Himself sufficiently through His Written Word.
It may be bizarre to a Catholic, but it is a caricature of Sola Scriptura to say that the claim is that Scripture teaches everything. There is a difference between exhaustive and sufficient. The claim, which is taught explicitly in the Bible, is that the Scripture has the ability to thoroughly equip the man of God for every good work. Included in every good work are "doctrine", "reproof", "correction", and "instruction in righteousness"
Is believing in the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary, for example, a "good work"? If it were, it would logically lead to the absurd conclusion that the Scripture is unable to thoroughly or sufficiently equip the man of God with regard to a true doctrine that is nowhere found or implied therein.
Enjoying as you do the consolation of the Holy Scriptures, you stand in need neither of my assistance nor of that of anybody else to help you comprehend your duty. You have the all-sufficient counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead you to what is right
Basil the Great
(Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (Peabody: Hendrikson, 1995), Second Series: Volume VIII, Basil: Letters and Select Works, Letter CCLXXXIII, p. 312).
...we make the Holy Scriptures the rule and the measure of every tenet (dogma); we necessarily fix our eyes upon that, and approve that alone which may be made to harmonize with the intention of those writings.
Gregory of Nyssa
(Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (Peabody: Hendrikson, 1995), Second Series: Volume V, Philosophical Works, On the Soul And the Resurrection, p. 439).
Do not then believe me because I tell thee these things, unless thou receive from the Holy Scriptures the proof of what is set forth: for this salvation, which is of our faith, is not by ingenious reasonings, but by proof from the Holy Scriptures ... For the Articles of the Faith were not composed at the good pleasure of men: but the most important points chosen from all Scriptures, make up the one teaching of the Faith. And, as the mustard seed in a little grain contains many branches, thus also this Faith, in a few words, hath enfolded in its bosom the whole knowledge of godliness contained both in the Old and New Testaments.
Cyril of Jerusalem
(A Library of the Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church (Oxford: Parker, 1845), The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril 4.17).
Cordially,
Yes, there is and I was mis-speaking or engaging in hyperbole whe I said "everything" is taught explicitly in the Bible. Thank you for the correction.
The claim, which is taught explicitly in the Bible, is that the Scripture has the ability to thoroughly equip the man of God for every good work. Included in every good work are "doctrine", "reproof", "correction", and "instruction in righteousness"
Read the verse again. It in no way says what you want it to say. It says Scripture is "useful" or "profitable" to thoroughly equip. It does not say it is sufficient.
Is believing in the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary, for example, a "good work"?
I don't know if believing anything is considered a "work."
It may syrprise you to know that the Church considers Scripture to be materially sufficient, but not formally sufficient. All of the material God revealed can be found within, but it is not always explicit. Take for example, the orthodox understanding of the nature of Christ and how He is true man and true God united in the hypostatic union.
Or the formulae describing the interworkings of the Trinity.
None of these are found explicitly in Scripture, yet they arise from studying Scripture and what is revealed in it.
SD