If he actually studied his scriptures, he would know ALL believers are Saints (Romans 1:7, 1 Cor 1:2), and we are not to call any religious leader "father" (Matthew 23:9).
The Bereans of Acts 17:11 were commended for searching the scriptures to determine is the things taught to them by the apostles were true, and as Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim 3:16 -17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Goda may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Granted, we have all learned at the feet of others, but it is up to us as individuals to determine if what we have been taught is scripturally true.
I am convinced that what the author is scared of is learning the truth that much of what he has been taught is merely the traditions of men, exactly what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for! See Matthew 15:6-9
"6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
This guy has no understanding of Sola Scriptura.
He is describing solo scriptura.
Stopped reading after the first few sentences, no reason to even try to disagree with him.
Where is “Scripture only” found? In Scripture of course, not some extra-Scriptural doctrine, as the author claims, which would be self-contradictory.
Mark 7:8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Revelation 22
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Examples abound of those who went beyond Scripture and paid the price, Moses, Saul etc.
The premise not withstanding, this writing style just annoys me with too many unnecessary words and phrases for my liking. I found it difficult to focus on what the author was communicating.
I went and got a few Scriptures to prove Sola Scriptura. After reading all the others posted here, how can there be the least doubt? Deniers are like the Pharisees.
One presumes these "great teachers" were all in agreement on everything. Newsflash...they weren't.
From the article:
“Sola Scriptura is the idea that Christianity ought to be based off of “Scripture Alone” (which is the English translation of “Sola Scriptura”), that is to say, it should be without ritual, or the teaching authority of anyone. And that each of us is obligated to read the Scriptures and form ourselves through them, on our own.”
I stopped reading upon seeing the words that followed “that is to say” in the second full paragraph, knowing that it would only get more preposterously false thereafter. The author’s proposition is akin to the WWII propaganda that depicted all Japanese soldiers and sailors with buckteeth and thick eyeglasses. Such may have worked to some extent 70 years ago, but ...
Harry Potter must have been really terrifying.
I listened to Paul’s letter to the Galatians three times today while performing manual labor. I wasn’t alone, as the Holy Spirit was using one of my beloved brothers in the cloud of witnesses to communicate His Truth to me.
Glorious!
So your scared to death by some Protestant who is moved and taught by the Holy Spirit of the scriptures, but not terrified that your soul hangs in the balance of “ Some man “ Catholic teacher who is influenced by man’s agenda and “ Humanistic “ theology of the scriptures ?
What God says in the Bible ought to scare the Bejesus out of you—or hopefully, scare the Jesus into you. The alternative of eternal damnation is certainly not very attractive.
I agree with you, NKP. Context is very important.
What does the following sentence mean?
“John is gay.”
In 2014, most people say it means a person is a homosexual. But what if I say the sentence was written in 1914? Then it means John is happy. Same three words, 100 years apart, two totally different meanings.
Very few Catholics or other Christians know that the “magic potions” condemned in Revelation 9:21 are ancient contraceptive/abortifacient drugs. They think ancient forms of alcohol or marijuana are only being condemned because they’re reading the words from a 21st century context and not a first or second century context.
By all means, everyone read their Bibles. But its interpretation can be MUCH more difficult than people can imagine. I’ll never cut myself off from its interpretation by the Holy Spirit speaking through the Catholic Church.
My goodness, I chuckle at all of this hand wringing about the bible.
Its about the message, folks. And the message is pretty consistent among the different translations.
Bible study is fine. The context is interesting. But you do not need even the slightest context to understand the message of peace and love.
So go on worrying about all of this other stuff. I will worry about loving my neighbor.
In short, you are making this way too hard. Its easy.
This has got to be one of the most silliest arguments I have ever read. Even Peter referred to Paul's writings as scripture. As far as the Bible never discussing the Bible or interpreting the Bible, I would refer one to Psalms 119.
Psa 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Psa 119:19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!
Psa 119:20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.
Psa 119:21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.
Psa 119:22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.
Psa 119:23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Psa 119:24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
...
Psa 119:33 He. Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Psa 119:35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Psa 119:36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Psa 119:37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Psa 119:38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Psa 119:39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
Psa 119:40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
ect....
Only people who do not believe in Gods word or those who do not want to obey Gods word could make such a statement.
Mark 13
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Satan would love it if Jesus could be proved wrong, but it has been nearly 2000 years and it has not happened.
The religionists do not want people reading the scripture themselves because it takes away their pomp and wealth which is glory to them.
Methinks this guy doesn’t know his jots from his tittles.