Sunday, October 19, 2008

Sola Scriptura


Sola scriptura- By Scripture alone.


Sola scriptura was one of the main points of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformers believed that the Bible is God's word and is therefore, self authenticating, perspicuous (understandable and clear) to the rational person, that Scripture interprets itself, and also is sufficient of itself to be the final authority for Christian Doctrine. The Reformers also affirmed that the Church passively recognized and received the books that had already been widely accepted as canonical. Whereas the Roman Catholic church teaches that, "The Scripture is an important but not exclusive part of Sacred Tradition from which the Churches derive their doctrines." The Roman Catholics also believe that, "The Church has authority over the Scriptures because it actively selected which books would be in the Biblical cannon." We will look at both of the erroneous teachings of the Catholic Church and why they are so.


1st. "The Scripture is an important but not exclusive part of Sacred Tradition from which the Churches derive their doctrines."


The first of the two errors is basically straight up blasphemy against God, and the authority of His Holy Word. This is made very clear by Christ throughout the gospels of Matthew and Mark, as well as in Col 2:8 and 1 Peter 1:18. For example Jesus says in Mark 7:5-9:

"Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat loaves with unwashed hands? But He answered and said to them, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. However, they worship Me in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the dippings of pots and cups. And many other such things you do. And He said to them, Do you do well to set aside the commandment of God, so that you may keep your own tradition?" NKJV

Obviously this is not a new topic that we are discussing. Christ had to deal with the Pharisees and the scribes about this very issue over 2,000 years ago. It should be very perspicuous to anyone that, from just this one passage, let alone all the others, there is no tradition of men that is to be held higher than the authority of what God says in scripture. It should also be abundantly clear to us that man is sinful and fallible, and that God is completely holy and just, not at all fallible. Therefore whatever He says His word should be the final authority on any topic regardless of what men may think is or is not correct.



2nd "The Church has authority over the Scriptures because it actively selected which books would be in the biblical cannon."


This sentence is just simply not true whatsoever. It is widely known and accepted that the Bible was recognized in its entirety within 100 years of the death of all the apostles. In fact Paul at the end of Colossians told the church there to distribute his letter to the church at Laodecia and that the Laodecians were to share their letter with the Colossians. Affirming that the Scripture was being already being read, shared and established among the earliest of churches. Not by the Roman Catholic church which didn't even come into existence until at least 300 years after the death of Christ. Col 4:16 says:

"And when this letter is read before you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter of Laodicea." NKJV

This passage clearly states that the churches were to pass around the letters between themselves and that they were to be read amongst all the people in the churches.


In short, nothing should be held as high or higher than the authority of Scripture in determining church practices and traditions. Especilly those extra Biblical traditions that the church establishes and scripture does not. Not that they are wrong or bad necessarily, but they should not be held as infallable, and should always come under the scrutinty and authority of the scripture to make sure they are not contrary to the teachings of the Bible before they are put into practice in any church.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from a babe you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. NKJV


Sola Scriptura!
Soli Deo Gloria!

Psalm 51:1-17
Psalm 139:23-24
Titus 3:5-7