Basically, all I’m saying, is the original meaning of “sola scriptura” to the 16th C. Reformers was defined as the bible being the Church’s only FINAL/INERRANT authority...it wasn’t saying the Bible is the only authority at all.
Unfortunately some evangelicals and others have taken it to mean that only the bible alone has ANY authority... and have become ignorammi...dumping all the knowledge gleaned by Church history for nearly 2,000 years, running off alone with their bibles (even when they don’t really understand the context and character of the bible...).
Rome officially puts itself-in-(undefined)tradition—on EQUAL footing to scripture, with the Pope having the final say on everything...hence, really the institution of the current Church usurps the bible, becoming an unaccountable authority-unto-itself.
I think it’s important to understand the idea of underlying authorities, with scripture as the final authority over them all, to avoid the charge of “private interpretation” so often leveled by Roman Catholics, as, in the contemporary “independent non-denominational” Church scene, that charge really does have a point...
You ridicule what you don't understand. Not all Catholic tradition is Tradition. When we speak of Sacred Tradition, we are speaking of that oral instruction given by Christ (the Word made flesh) directly to the Apostles that is not found in Scripture. Jesus didn't twiddle His Thumbs for 40 days after His Resurrection, He instructed His Apostles... and yet this period receives scant mention in the Written Word... because these are the Traditions Paul is talking about to the Thessalonians. These are the instructions of Christ carried out by His Apostles.
The Pope only has a final say when a final say is needed. For example, in Acts 15... there was much discussion and disagreement among the Apostles before Peter spoke authoritatively.
I understand your concern in your final assertion... however, for the first 1500 years after Christ's Ascension, that is all the world had... and we had unity. When we "reformed" the Church we brought disunity and fractalization to the -enth degree. Truly, this isn't the unity Christ desired for us.
my friend, you forget Christ established a visible Church and He gave it authority to teach. we have the obligation to be taught, not run off with our own ideas as to what we feel the Scriptures teach. remember, the Church is the “pillar of truth” and has the Holy Spirit protecting it from teaching error.
there is a way that seems right to man, but the end of which is certain death.