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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It’s blasphemy to ask where the list is? That’s an interesting perspective.
Exactly!
I'd ask you to post something substantive about the topic at hand, but then again I quoted Mystery Men for my own response so fair's fair. I will say that I have grave concerns about your taste in reading material.
He would be one wouldn’t he! Started out agnostic and spent, what, two years or something trying to prove it wrong then became an ardent believer.
No, it’s blasphemy to take credit for what God does. You twisting of words notwithstanding.
Our Eucharistic Liturgy Known Today as the Mass is Based the writings of the new testament. 128 AD it was Formalized based on writings of Apostles..Long Before Sola Scriptura could even be Imagined.
Christ said Peters Church would Prevail against the gates of hell until the end of Time He Promised it would Christ Lie about That I Think NOT? Peter was Given the Keys to Heaven..
I am not positive, but I think he, probably along with others, said the Bible is an anvil that has worn out many a hammer.
Peters Church
There you have it, Christians belong to Christ's church. He has the membership list.
Peter’s church????????? Does the blasphemy never end?
I enjoy some discussions but these Catholic “WE’re the ONE TRUE CHURCH” blah blah and Jesus told Peter . . . . are just a turn off to me. I know they’re sincere but . . . that doesn’t make them right or in submission to Gods Will. Catholic vs. Protestant threads bring out the worst in us. I like some discussions with differing points of view but I just need to let some of these go by.
No end in sight yet.
Who says it is blasphemous to suggest that human beings may have been involved in the preservation and transmission of Scripture? In your view, does the involvement of humans (the church) somehow lessen the glory/credit due God?
Wait until you go to the Holy Land someday and See The Lords Prayer.. it is as Christ Prayed it to teach apostle not the version created by Protestants.
There is only one way to be FULL of Grace as mentioned in Gospel of LUKE... without SIN
I will Take the TRUE Authority That has Been the Creator & caretaker of the Bible from the beginning for 20 Centuries. Christ Promised Peter he would keep his Church Dogma Free of Devils Interpretation until the end of time. Peter was Given the Keys to heaven as is his successors..
I have to get my Biblical Scholars Book Father Peter Madroos a Palestinian catholic Priest. a Personal Friend ... I am Going to bed NOW if it is okay..Have a Great Night
Angel Gabriel was sent By God The Father asking if she would be the Mother of the Savior... Hail Full of GRACE a sinless Vessel..is what Mary was..The Ark of the NEW Covenant..Jesus the Eucharist the new Covenant the only Covenant of the new testament.
God decides...
Look at the entire world...There are millions upon millions of bibles scattered thruout the world...Are they Catholic bibles??? Nope...They are the Protestant version...
The Catholics don't hand out bibles...Do you think God has anything to do with bibles going out all over the world???
That is why you need Doctors of the Church and Early Church Fathers to get TRUE interpretation of what the Apostles said. Reading the writings of Bishop of Antioch talk about his Travels with Peter is WOW! He was there... it is Like the Guy who Rowed the Boat for george Washington crossing the Delaware telling you what Happened and why he did what he did.. Ciao
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