The words of God stand forever. Not one jot or tittle will pass away. Heaven and earth will pass away but the word of God will never pass away. The practice of writing down the revelation of God was in force WAY before there was a church in Rome - before Christ even came to earth there were the established Holy Scriptures. The words and teachings of Jesus - while here as well as after he ascended - were enscripturated so that ALL believers would have an infallible and objective source for the rule of the Christian faith long after the Apostles were gone to their heavenly reward. That's really what the "canon" meant - a rule of faith - and it contained the written documents inspired by God to holy men who He directed to write His words. It is utter nonsense to claim the "church" is older than Holy Scripture. Your subtle twist of words notwithstanding, the Bible is simply the collection of the books that are Divinely-inspired and ordained by God to be recognized as FROM God and given to man. The writings that make up the New Testament were added to the already established collection of books inspired by the SAME Holy Spirit and the Apostles handed over to the churches the revelation from God as each book was completed and, because they came from the Apostles, their authority was accepted. Those who refused to accept the authority of Scripture were ostracized by their church unless and until they submitted to the rule of faith as defined in Scripture.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the "Power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes". The Bible has intrinsic authority because Holy men of God spoke as they were moved along by the Holy Spirit, it does not derive its authority from men who presume to be above the word of God. As long as the church remains the buttress and support of the truth as God has revealed it to us in His word, they have a mission and ministry of reconciliation. When a church perverts the Gospel, they no longer have a part in this work of God and, instead, are accursed by God.
Salient truth...But sadly lost on Catholics...