Is the Bible our only source of authority?

Question

I meant, our sole source of authority as Christians. Why? I know the Bible is inspired, but does the Bible claim to be our sole source of authority as Christians?

Answer 1

Not for Catholics.

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The Bible is not a "source" of authority. A book cannot have authority. Christ gave full authority to the Church He founded. He told its leaders, "he who hears you hears Me"; "whatsoever you bind upon earth is bound in heaven". That's real authority. That same Church taught everything that is in the Bible, with full authority, before a word of the New Testamebnt was written. That's how it got written. The writers knew the truth and could record it through the authoritative teaching of Christ's Church. The teaching of the Church was the Word of God as soon as Jesus spoke it. It was the Word of God when the Church taught it, before the Bible existed. It was still the Word of God once parts of it were written down. And it was still the Word of God 300 years later, when the Catholic Church bound some of its writings into a book for the first time, and called its book "the Bible".

The Bible is not necessary for teaching the Word of God with authority. It is helpful, just as it claims to be. But the Catholic Church would have continued teaching the Word of God with full authority even if none of it had ever been written down, or compiled into a book. As far as attempting to make the Book itself an authority instead of the Church that produced it, the fruit of that folly is evident all around us - thousands of conflicting, contradicting manmade denominational churches, all claiming to take their beliefs right out of the Bible, yet unable to agree on virtually any doctrinal truth, in direct violation of the stated will of God, "that they all may be ONE".

Jesus knew that you cannot have truth without unity, and that you cannot have unity without genuine authority. That's why He founded one Church for all mankind, and endowed that Church and no other with full authority to preach, teach, and interpret His Holy Word, written and unwritten. And that is why His own Church continues in unity and in truth, without denominations, after 2,000 years.

Answer 3

Yes it is because the Bible is the word of God
and should be used as such
If you read the Bible then you can still find things in there
that are happening to day
We should life by the Bible as Jesus said
John 16:7
if you abide in me, and my words abide in you
Ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.


May God Bless you and have a good day

Answer 4

Is the Bible our only source of authority?

Yes, thats right. Without the bible, the christianity myth crumbles in to dust.

Answer 5

YES! Think about how long the bible has survived. God protects His word because it is Him speaking to us through the scriptures. It is the one source everything else spoken or written should be measured by. If it goes against what the bible says, then throw it out or forget it. There is alot of false religion out there in the world. Read your bible daily to protect yourself from false religions.

Answer 6

when a Christian holds a Bible in their hand they are holding the very Word of God. what more authority do you need than a Christian holding a Bible? with a Bible a Christian can tell you all you need to know about God and what you need to do to be has holy as they are. they can tell you what God thinks, says and feels. how God created the universe. what God likes and dislikes. how you can avoid God's wrath and how you can get to heaven. there is nothing so impressive as a Christian with a Bible is their hand for the words they take from that holiest of books and reveal to you is the very power and essence of truth. always submit to the wisdoms of a Christian with a Bible in their hand. your very soul depends on it.

Answer 7

The Only source of Authority for one of The True Christian Faith is God himself.

Answer 8

John 21:25 says "There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written."

Therefore we depend on Sacred Tradition to teach us some of the other things Jesus did and taught. Some will tell you that tradition is prohibited in the Bible, but that is human tradition. The Bible tells us to follow Sacred Tradition.

2Thes. 2:15 says "Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement of by a letter of ours."

2Thes. 3:6 tells us "We instruct you brothers in the name of out Lord Jesus Christ to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way ans not according to the tradition they received from us."

God bless,
Stanbo

P.S. 1Tim 3:15 says "But if I sould be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

The church is the pillar and foundation of truth, not Scripture alone.

Answer 9

source of authority its a book inspired by the words of God

Answer 10

No. God's word is too big for a tiny little book. It is found in you. In me. In the vastness of the universe. The rock. The tree. The deer. The wolf. The great bear. It is the essence of nature, found within all that is good and not in a book written by greedy Men.