Posted on 03/31/2014 5:45:28 PM PDT by matthewrobertolson
Sola Scriptura is the Protestant doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. Under it, only doctrines that are found directly within the Bible or are drawn indirectly from it by simple reasoning are allowed. (See material vs. formal sufficiency & perspicuity.)“[The Church] does not, in the conventional phrase, believe what the Bible says, for the simple reason that the Bible does not say anything. You cannot put a book in the witness-box and ask it what it really means.” – G. K. Chesterton
2 Timothy 3:16-17 is the primary passage used to defend this view, which always boggles my mind. Perhaps I need spectacles, but I do not see an “Only” at the beginning of this verse. The Church teaches (as Scripture teaches) that all Scripture is valuable. She does not, however, turn it into an idol.
Some Protestants also claim to honor other authorities, like the Church – but do they really? In a short written debate with a Protestant professor, he said, “Sola Scriptura does not even claim that there is no other authority besides the Bible; it maintains that the Bible is alone (sola) as the only infallible authority.” Some apologists concede this position, but I see no reason to, and so I responded, “The practical effect [of Sola Scriptura] is that it denies the authoritativeness of any other authority – making that authority not an authority at all.” The professor quickly changed the topic.
Sacred Tradition (capital ‘T’) is, obviously, a stumbling block for many, but it is perfectly reasonable. Not everything of relevance could fit within the Bible (John 20:30-31, John 21:25). This is evidenced by the elaborations of the Church Fathers, as well as the decrees of the Councils. And much of this has been written and can therefore even qualify as (extra canon) Scripture! Anyway, all Scripture must be interpreted “according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church” (Origen).
Pope Francis noted, “Sacred Scripture is the written testimony of the divine Word, the canonical memory that attests to the event of Revelation. However, the Word of God precedes the Bible and surpasses it. That is why the center of our faith isn’t just a book, but a salvation history and above all a person, Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh.” (cf. CCC #108). All teaching is valuable – God is not limited to a book compiled by His Bride. On this point, the Bible is like a wedding album shared by two spouses: the husband, typically, arranges and provides for everything, while his wife fills in the details – but still, at the end of the day, it does not sum up their whole marriage.
Another great blow to Sola Scriptura is that the Bible did not put itself together, and it does not list the books that belong within it. It took the Jews thousands of years to decide on the Tanakh (their canon) and, even then, “Hellenistic” Jews preferred the Septuagint! The only reason that we know which books comprise the Testaments is that the Church has informed us. If the Church, as Her own entity, is not infallible on such doctrine, then the Bible cannot be trusted.
Many Protestants also allude that absolute truth can only be found within the Bible. If I throw an apple up into the air, it will fall. Where is that in the Bible? Of course, one could quickly retort with the idea that the Bible only necessarily contains the absolute moral truth necessary for salvation. But many Protestants do not actually believe that – just look at the large crowds of literal creationists! To be clear, the Bible is not guaranteed to be totally historically or scientifically inerrant in a literal sense. “Inerrancy extends to what the biblical writers intend to teach, not necessarily to what they assume or presuppose or what isn’t integral to what they assert.” [Catholic Answers] And if a Protestant would like to say otherwise, he must prove his position from the Bible – which he cannot do, at least not to any definite degree. Even natural law, which exists outside of the Bible, does not encompass such. Leaders like Ken Ham could be defeated with these points.
I just cannot help but despise this great heresy of Sola Scriptura, the implication of which is that the Bride of Christ does not know Her Husband.
I love the Second Vatican Council’s statement on all of this: “[T]he task of authentically interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on, has been entrusted exclusively to the living teaching office of the Church, whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ. This teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on, listening to it devoutly, guarding it scrupulously and explaining it faithfully in accord with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it draws from this one deposit of faith everything which it presents for belief as divinely revealed.” (Dei Verbum)
Let us put it this way: only trusting the Bible without the Church would be like loving “Romeo and Juliet” and hating Shakespeare’s explanation of it.
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R-I-G-H-T, because we believe Rome over the Word of God. And we NEED them to explain it because God speaks over our heads and not to our heart. I’m sure that’s just the way He meant it. /s
Protestants created the division in the first place.
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
—John 6:45
ALL that come to Christ are taught of GOD, not ROME. Perhaps you need the gospel of Christ, which is the “power of God unto salvation.”
Anyone who isn’t absolutely sure they know the gospel (there is only one saving gospel), should listen to the following:
The Gospel Defined
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=221413393310
Hi DMan
maybe you could then point to the scripture with the words “the Bible alone”, if not than it is at least worthy of discussion without a protestant crying, and I do mean crying, big crocodile tears that the bib bad Catholics are ganging up on them.
And by the way, when ever I want real diversion, I just open one of the many protestant threads on pre-, post- or a-millennialism - there are some real tears shed and fireworks there.
Ad Majoram Dei Gloriam
For The greater Glory of God
We didn’t divide with Rome. In obedience to the Scriptures, Protestants fled her apostasy and rank idolatry. Union with Rome isn’t an option for the people of God.
This has been answered 10,000 times. And this same tripe would be posted tomorrow.
But the point in posting this stuff isn’t to stimulate discussion. It’s to keep Christians fighting each other.
Thanks. Dominus vobiscum!
It isn’t a matter of “was.” She is formally and officially apostate to the present hour.
For the sake of your soul, listen to the message I linked.
Two Former Priests Analyze Catholicism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aNksLa_LQM
A Catholic Priest Biblically Saved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VKiv3ZGAWo&feature=youtu.be
What a ridiculous example regarding the apple. Is this what you're learning in college?
Where is that in the Bible? Of course, one could quickly retort with the idea that the Bible only necessarily contains the absolute moral truth necessary for salvation. But many Protestants do not actually believe that – just look at the large crowds of literal creationists! To be clear, the Bible is not guaranteed to be totally historically or scientifically inerrant in a literal sense. “Inerrancy extends to what the biblical writers intend to teach, not necessarily to what they assume or presuppose or what isn’t integral to what they assert.” [Catholic Answers] And if a Protestant would like to say otherwise, he must prove his position from the Bible – which he cannot do, at least not to any definite degree. Even natural law, which exists outside of the Bible, does not encompass such. Leaders like Ken Ham could be defeated with these points.
Based on the bolded text above if you really believe this then one can never take anything we read in the Bible as truth. For example, how can we know for sure that Jesus really meant it when He said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, the life...no one comes to the Father but through Me.
If you really believe what you wrote, then how can you be sure that Christ was really was able to do all the things recorded in the New Testament?
And I guess you do as you posted this nonsense below. This really speaks volumes about what you believe.
“[The Church] does not, in the conventional phrase, believe what the Bible says, for the simple reason that the Bible does not say anything. You cannot put a book in the witness-box and ask it what it really means.” – G. K. Chesterton
If this is what you are espousing then 2 Timothy 3:5 and 3:13 apply in this case. 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
3:13 but evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
It is my prayer that you do not to the priesthood with this kind of false teaching you are espousing on this post.
Luther thought the Pope would want to hear about the corruption. Surprise! Arrest+death warrant! Glad things have calmed down since then, but Luther never left his call. Rome should rescind his excommunication.
Do we really need another anti-Protestant thread? Y’all must be very unsure of your beliefs to post this junk. I am Southern Baptist, believe the Bible to be the word of God and nothing you Catholics say will change that. What purpose does this serve?
A small number of people post these obnixious things. Then when Protestants push back they cry about anti-Catholic bigotry.
The purpose? God only knows their hearts.
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