Protestants: Why, (if you do) do you believe in sola scriptura?

Question

I mean, it's not biblical. You criticize Catholics for believing in things "not biblical." If you believe in sola scriptura, please show me where in scripture it tells us that we need scripture alone. I believe that scripture is inspired by God and should be revered, but I do not think it is all we need.

The second answerer: Pope Benedict might do away with the children's limbo belief. It is NOT a doctrine. The Catholic Church has not and never will change its doctrines.

Hey Juli, I believe that all scripture is true, and I believe that passage 100%, I just do not agree with your fallable interpretation.

Also, 1 other question. If the Bible is all we need as authority, then why does the Bible say the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth?
And where in the Bible is the list of the books/letters that are inspired and should be in the bible?

Cindy: Actually, I'm not confused. That's the problem with Protestantism. Some believe one thing, others believe something totally different. It's hard to pinpoint what they really believe. As for Catholicism, if I want to know what I believe, I look in the Catechism. If you believe in sola scriptura, you believe in scripture alone.
And don't assume that the Catholic Church teaches anything contrary to scripture. Maybe you should take a look at the Catechism to see what we really teach. I don't think the Church Christ started would teach anything contrary to what's in the book WE put together! The Bible is a Catholic book, and history proves it!

Answer 1

There is never a conflict between the teaching of the Catholic Church and the book the Catholic Church compiled of its own teaching. Obviously Protestant churches cannot claim there is no conflict betwwen their teaching and the Bible, because there is conflict between the teaching of different denominations - which is what makes them different denominations. Therefore, since truth cannot conflict with truth, we know with certainty that many teachings of Protestant churches are false, and nothing false can be in accord with Scripture.

It isn't Church "traditions" that are equivalent to Scripture. All churches have those. It is Apostolic Tradition (capital T) which is in full accord with Scripture because both Apostolic Tradition and Scripture are the inspired Word of God. The Apostles received ALL their teaching from Christ in the form of oral Tradition, not writing. They later mentioned some portions of this oral Tradition in their correspondence and other writings. However, it didn't become the Word of God when they wrote it down. It became the Word of God when Jesus Christ - God - spoke it to them. The parts they wrote down remained the Word of God, and the parts they didn't write down also remained the Word of God. Scripture itself tells us there are many things they received from Christ that they didn't write down. This teaching, passed along through the teaching of the infallible Church of God, is Apostolic Tradition.

The real question is - why do Protestants persist in a system that obviously doesn't work, which is in direct violation of the stated will of God "that they all may be ONE", and which has resulted in nothing but division, fragmentation and doctrinal chaos for 500 years?

Answer 2

Sola Scriptura (Bible Alone) dogma is a man made invention to justify a belief structure. It is not in the Bible, even the Bible of Martin Luther, or King James.

This dogma is anti-biblical, this is what would be humorous if not so tragic to the truth.

Jesus taught exclusively through His actions, not by an owners manual exclusively.

Arrogance is thinking you can independently play God with Jesus' message without the Authority that Jesus establish to assure sound doctrine and beliefs. This Authority of the Apostles IS biblical and in line with the written Word of God. They act in unison.

The words written that Jesus refers to in the Bible are the Old Testament for the New Testament has not yet been written!

Again, Sola Scriptura is a man made dogma that is anti-biblical.
.

Answer 3

I think you may be a bit confused as to what sola scriptura means to me and what it may mean to you.

I believe that the bible is the ultimate authority on all things regarding God and his will and his way. I do not believe that anything that man writes should be used to change the bible in any way shape or form.

I believe in reading and learning about history and the culture of the times during the events written about in the bible for clearer understanding of certain stories and word usage.

What I do not believe is that some man can declare himself infallible and give out "new" rules about the word and will of God. Jesus Christ fulfilled all prophecies and no new prophets were fortold until after the taking up in the clouds in 1 Theselonians.

To believe as you do in the Catholic church would mean that you would have to accept Mohammaad as a prophet and his changes to the bible that are written about in the Quran. This is what happens when man changes the word , and will and way of God. Man starts following other men instead of God and God alone.

Answer 4

The Bible does not say such, and neither do Protestants (so-called). We believe that we need prayer, fellowship with other believers, regular worship. What we believe is that Scripture has authority over traditions of men and church tradition.
The Catholic church says that they believe that Scripture and Church tradition both have authority. However what you don't say is that you also believe that when there is a conflict between the Scriptures and the traditions of the Catholic church-then Church tradition has ultimate authority. This is where we differ.

Answer 5

It's pretty arrogant, for starters, to say that God's Word is not sufficient for the faith and practice of His saints.

How many traditions of men have been changed? Recently, Pope Benedict XVI indicated he was doing away with the doctrine of limbo. That is just one of many examples.

For the Scriptural support for the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, I quote from II Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Response to Proud2beCatholic: Quoting from a Roman Catholic site, "Word in knowledgeable circles holds that the ancient Catholic DOCTRINE of Limbo will be substantially altered or abandoned altogether. At least that is what will be attempted, since no one, not even the highest Church authority, has the power to change or discard objective religious truth." (Reprinted from the January 2006 edition of Catholic Family News. Source below, emphasis mine.)

Answer 6

II Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work."

All scripture is true and the passage above proves it

Answer 7

Jesus put it this way Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

He also said:
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Peter wrote: ( you would think a catholic would listen to him).....
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Answer 8

Not all Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura, but it appears that all of them believe in "Sola Non-Catholica".

That's not in the Bible either.

Answer 9

Who else could you trust?