Post by James Blankenship on Apr 10, 2012 17:43:09 GMT -5
www.justforcatholics.org/a74.htm
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is the doctrine that the Holy Bible, being the Word of God, is the only infallible rule of faith and practice for Christians in the post-apostolic age.
The Bible is:
The rule (standard, guide) of faith - teaching us what we ought to believe and how to live for the glory of God.
The infallible rule - incapable of error, certain, not liable to mislead - because it is the Word of God.
The only infallible rule - it contains the whole counsel of God for His people. Christians value religious teachers, but they are fallible (liable to make mistakes). We also value tradition as long as it is consistent with the Scriptures.
Christians have full confidence in the Holy Scriptures because they are "given by inspiration" or "God-breathed" - the very Word proceeding from the mouth of God. What "The Scriptures say" and what "God says" are the same thing. That is what Jesus believed.
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:29-32).
What is read in the Scriptures is God speaking to us! Therefore the Scriptures are the infallible rule of faith since God can neither lie nor err. 'The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever' (Psalm 119:160). The teaching of the Bible is free from error and we can have absolute confidence in it.
Moreover, sola Scriptura affirms that all that the Church and every Christian must believe for salvation and godliness is certainly found in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is able to make us wise for salvation which is by faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15,16). The Bible is also useful for teaching and correction so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work. God's revelation for His Church is fully contained in the Holy Bible and there is no important information missing that we should seek elsewhere.
Having indicated what sola Scriptura is, we must also discuss what it is not. Sola Scriptura is often misunderstood and misrepresented. I am dismayed and angered whenever I read Catholic literature on this subject because more often then not they are attacking a straw man.
Sola Scriptura is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible does not give exhaustive details on the history of redemption. John 21:25 says that not all that Jesus did is recorded in the book; all the books of the world would not be enough for that purpose. But the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the church. We need 'enough' knowledge not 'exhaustive' knowledge. Sometimes Catholic apologists argue for the need of tradition, saying that Bible does not record everything. Apparently they do not realize that tradition is not exhaustive either! Does tradition give us all possible information about the life of Christ, and all that He said, and all the apostles did and said? Of course not! In fact, we would respectfully challenge our Catholic friends to give us one statement that Jesus said that comes to us by tradition and not from the Holy Scripture.
Sola Scriptura is not a denial of the church's authority to teach God's revelation. The Church is 'the pillar and foundation of the truth' (I Timothy 3:15) because it upholds and teaches the Word of God. However the church cannot add doctrines of human origin or contradict the God-breathed Scriptures. The church's authority is subordinate to the authority of the Bible. Moreover, the church is commissioned to preach the Word orally, and to transmit the Christian Gospel from one generation to the next. The most enthusiastic proponents of sola Scriptura do so eagerly and do their best to make sure that their preaching is consistent with the written Word of God.
Sola Scriptura is not a denial that historically God's Word came in other ways other than the written form. Before writing down His message, God spoke through the apostles and prophets, and personally in Christ Jesus, His Son. During the same time the Holy Spirit moved holy men to write down His Word to be the permanent inspired record of His message for the post-apostolic age till the end. The apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and though they are absent, we can still build our lives on their teaching which is recorded infallibly in the Holy Scriptures.
Sola Scriptura does not imply that the Bible will always be interpreted correctly, or that there will not be differences and heresies among Christians. Jesus was clear enough in His teaching, yet His disciples often misunderstood Him. The apostles' message was also perfectly intelligible, and yet all sorts of errors and heresies crept in the early church. Similarly, the Bible is not written in a mysterious and cryptic code that needs some infallible decoder to explain its hidden meaning. The Bible is addressed to the ordinary people of God and it can be understood. The problem lies not with the clarity of the Bible, but with people who often ignore the Bible or twist the its meaning because of laziness, ignorance and prejudice.
'What is the infallible rule of faith?' remains the a major dividing issue between Catholics and Protestants. And rightly so. We are building on different foundations.
The Roman Catholic answers something like this, 'God's Word is found in the Bible and in Tradition. But you can't understand the Bible correctly. As for Tradition, no one knows exactly what it contains. Therefore you must submit without reservations to the Pope and the bishops of the Roman church. The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
An Evangelical answers differently, 'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that God's people may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Copyright Dr Joe Mizzi. Permission to copy and distribute this article without textual changes.
If I may add one thought to this:
Look at what we see here:
The Roman Catholic answers something like this, 'God's Word is found in the Bible and in Tradition. But you can't understand the Bible correctly. As for Tradition, no one knows exactly what it contains. Therefore you must submit without reservations to the Pope and the bishops of the Roman church. The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
Infallible?
The teachings of MAN?
By definition, man is NOT infallible, as seen here:
in·fal·li·ble
[in-fal-uh-buhl] Show IPA
adjective
1.
absolutely trustworthy or sure: an infallible rule.
2.
unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain: an infallible remedy.
3.
not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements: an infallible principle.
4.
Roman Catholic Church . immune from fallacy or liability to error in expounding matters of faith or morals by virtue of the promise made by Christ to the Church.
"Exempt from liability to error."
According to this definition, catholics are never wrong.
Excuse me?
Never wrong? I don't think so.
Look at my thread on What is Baptism, here & tell me that catholics are never wrong!
solascripturaalone.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=how&action=display&thread=28&page=1
If the catholic church is wrong about even so much as 1 single thing, then they are NOT infallible.
But look what we see here:
'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that God's people may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Look at this particular part:
'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Through who?
Through the teachings & traditions of man?
NO- through faith in Christ Jesus.
Man, & especially catholics & their teachings & traditions, are not perfect.
If we were, we would be God, & we are not.
Here is one other thing to think about:
Romans 3:22-24 (New International Version)
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Verse 23-"all have sinned."
Let's look at different versions of Scripture, & see what they say:
Romans 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Romans 3:22-24 (Amplified Bible)
22Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:22-24 (King James Version)
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:22-24 (English Standard Version)
22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:22-24 (New Century Version)
22 God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all people are the same: 23 Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard, 24 and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:22-24 (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)
22Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction:
23For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God.
24Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus,
(note that this is from one of the catholic Bibles)
New American Bible
21
6 But now 7 the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets,
22
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction;
23
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
24
They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
New Jerusalem Bible
Romans 3:21-24
21 God's saving justice was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but now it has been revealed altogether apart from law:
22 God's saving justice given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
23 No distinction is made: all have sinned and lack God's glory,
24 and all are justified by the free gift of his grace through being set free in Christ Jesus.
(Another catholic Bible)
What does every single example say here?
ALL HAVE SINNED
Everyone-catholics AND protestants.
By Biblical Definition-NOBODY is perfect.
By Biblical definition-catholics are NOT infallible!
By Biblical definition-protestants are NOT infallible.
And look at what we see in verse 24:
" and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Who are catholics justified through?
(The redemption of Christ Jesus)
Who are protestants justified through?
(The redemption of Christ Jesus)
Not through ANY man's teachings!
Not through ANY man's traditions!
Only through Christ Jesus and ONLY Christ Jesus.
James
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is the doctrine that the Holy Bible, being the Word of God, is the only infallible rule of faith and practice for Christians in the post-apostolic age.
The Bible is:
The rule (standard, guide) of faith - teaching us what we ought to believe and how to live for the glory of God.
The infallible rule - incapable of error, certain, not liable to mislead - because it is the Word of God.
The only infallible rule - it contains the whole counsel of God for His people. Christians value religious teachers, but they are fallible (liable to make mistakes). We also value tradition as long as it is consistent with the Scriptures.
Christians have full confidence in the Holy Scriptures because they are "given by inspiration" or "God-breathed" - the very Word proceeding from the mouth of God. What "The Scriptures say" and what "God says" are the same thing. That is what Jesus believed.
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:29-32).
What is read in the Scriptures is God speaking to us! Therefore the Scriptures are the infallible rule of faith since God can neither lie nor err. 'The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever' (Psalm 119:160). The teaching of the Bible is free from error and we can have absolute confidence in it.
Moreover, sola Scriptura affirms that all that the Church and every Christian must believe for salvation and godliness is certainly found in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is able to make us wise for salvation which is by faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15,16). The Bible is also useful for teaching and correction so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work. God's revelation for His Church is fully contained in the Holy Bible and there is no important information missing that we should seek elsewhere.
Having indicated what sola Scriptura is, we must also discuss what it is not. Sola Scriptura is often misunderstood and misrepresented. I am dismayed and angered whenever I read Catholic literature on this subject because more often then not they are attacking a straw man.
Sola Scriptura is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible does not give exhaustive details on the history of redemption. John 21:25 says that not all that Jesus did is recorded in the book; all the books of the world would not be enough for that purpose. But the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the church. We need 'enough' knowledge not 'exhaustive' knowledge. Sometimes Catholic apologists argue for the need of tradition, saying that Bible does not record everything. Apparently they do not realize that tradition is not exhaustive either! Does tradition give us all possible information about the life of Christ, and all that He said, and all the apostles did and said? Of course not! In fact, we would respectfully challenge our Catholic friends to give us one statement that Jesus said that comes to us by tradition and not from the Holy Scripture.
Sola Scriptura is not a denial of the church's authority to teach God's revelation. The Church is 'the pillar and foundation of the truth' (I Timothy 3:15) because it upholds and teaches the Word of God. However the church cannot add doctrines of human origin or contradict the God-breathed Scriptures. The church's authority is subordinate to the authority of the Bible. Moreover, the church is commissioned to preach the Word orally, and to transmit the Christian Gospel from one generation to the next. The most enthusiastic proponents of sola Scriptura do so eagerly and do their best to make sure that their preaching is consistent with the written Word of God.
Sola Scriptura is not a denial that historically God's Word came in other ways other than the written form. Before writing down His message, God spoke through the apostles and prophets, and personally in Christ Jesus, His Son. During the same time the Holy Spirit moved holy men to write down His Word to be the permanent inspired record of His message for the post-apostolic age till the end. The apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and though they are absent, we can still build our lives on their teaching which is recorded infallibly in the Holy Scriptures.
Sola Scriptura does not imply that the Bible will always be interpreted correctly, or that there will not be differences and heresies among Christians. Jesus was clear enough in His teaching, yet His disciples often misunderstood Him. The apostles' message was also perfectly intelligible, and yet all sorts of errors and heresies crept in the early church. Similarly, the Bible is not written in a mysterious and cryptic code that needs some infallible decoder to explain its hidden meaning. The Bible is addressed to the ordinary people of God and it can be understood. The problem lies not with the clarity of the Bible, but with people who often ignore the Bible or twist the its meaning because of laziness, ignorance and prejudice.
'What is the infallible rule of faith?' remains the a major dividing issue between Catholics and Protestants. And rightly so. We are building on different foundations.
The Roman Catholic answers something like this, 'God's Word is found in the Bible and in Tradition. But you can't understand the Bible correctly. As for Tradition, no one knows exactly what it contains. Therefore you must submit without reservations to the Pope and the bishops of the Roman church. The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
An Evangelical answers differently, 'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that God's people may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Copyright Dr Joe Mizzi. Permission to copy and distribute this article without textual changes.
If I may add one thought to this:
Look at what we see here:
The Roman Catholic answers something like this, 'God's Word is found in the Bible and in Tradition. But you can't understand the Bible correctly. As for Tradition, no one knows exactly what it contains. Therefore you must submit without reservations to the Pope and the bishops of the Roman church. The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
The teaching of the Catholic magisterium is the infallible rule of faith.'
Infallible?
The teachings of MAN?
By definition, man is NOT infallible, as seen here:
in·fal·li·ble
[in-fal-uh-buhl] Show IPA
adjective
1.
absolutely trustworthy or sure: an infallible rule.
2.
unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain: an infallible remedy.
3.
not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements: an infallible principle.
4.
Roman Catholic Church . immune from fallacy or liability to error in expounding matters of faith or morals by virtue of the promise made by Christ to the Church.
"Exempt from liability to error."
According to this definition, catholics are never wrong.
Excuse me?
Never wrong? I don't think so.
Look at my thread on What is Baptism, here & tell me that catholics are never wrong!
solascripturaalone.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=how&action=display&thread=28&page=1
If the catholic church is wrong about even so much as 1 single thing, then they are NOT infallible.
But look what we see here:
'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that God's people may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Look at this particular part:
'The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Through who?
Through the teachings & traditions of man?
NO- through faith in Christ Jesus.
Man, & especially catholics & their teachings & traditions, are not perfect.
If we were, we would be God, & we are not.
Here is one other thing to think about:
Romans 3:22-24 (New International Version)
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Verse 23-"all have sinned."
Let's look at different versions of Scripture, & see what they say:
Romans 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Romans 3:22-24 (Amplified Bible)
22Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:22-24 (King James Version)
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:22-24 (English Standard Version)
22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:22-24 (New Century Version)
22 God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all people are the same: 23 Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard, 24 and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:22-24 (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)
22Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction:
23For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God.
24Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus,
(note that this is from one of the catholic Bibles)
New American Bible
21
6 But now 7 the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets,
22
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction;
23
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
24
They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
New Jerusalem Bible
Romans 3:21-24
21 God's saving justice was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but now it has been revealed altogether apart from law:
22 God's saving justice given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
23 No distinction is made: all have sinned and lack God's glory,
24 and all are justified by the free gift of his grace through being set free in Christ Jesus.
(Another catholic Bible)
What does every single example say here?
ALL HAVE SINNED
Everyone-catholics AND protestants.
By Biblical Definition-NOBODY is perfect.
By Biblical definition-catholics are NOT infallible!
By Biblical definition-protestants are NOT infallible.
And look at what we see in verse 24:
" and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Who are catholics justified through?
(The redemption of Christ Jesus)
Who are protestants justified through?
(The redemption of Christ Jesus)
Not through ANY man's teachings!
Not through ANY man's traditions!
Only through Christ Jesus and ONLY Christ Jesus.
James
