Sola Scriptura?

Question

Can anybody tell me where the BIble teaches this doctrine? I would appreciate any thoughtful answers as I have looked but cannot find it. The closest that I can come is 2nd Tim 3 but I don't know that "Sola Scriptura" is Pauls point there. Thanks in advance for your answers.

Sola Scriptura guy: We all know that God's word is infallible, and is our light etc... but where does the Bible say that God's word is confined to that which is written down? I would like a direct answer to this not exegetical gymnastics,or any funny word games. Where does the Bible say that the Wortd of God is ALWAYS is written form?

Answer 1

Sola Scriptura (The Bible Alone)

"The entirety of Your word is truth... given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (Psalm 119:160 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

How dare would any Christian deny God's Word.

Answer 2

It's not taught anywhere in the bible - though Protestants try to claim it is.

This is one of the main beefs between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics do not go by 'scripture alone'.

Which I think is a good thing. The bible cannot prove itself. That would be circular reasoning at best.

I'm sure you'll see where Protestants try to find a foundation for the belief in sola scriptura. I would suggest any verses given should be read in full context of what is being talked about.

There is a good book out there by a Catholic called "Not by Scripture Alone". I can't remember the author but it's a big thing. But well worth the read as it explains the enitre theory behind sola scriptura, where it comes from, and why it is not the answer.

*edit*

Another important thing to remember - when Paul was writing these letters he never thought that they would be become scripture later on. And the bible was not fully put together until a couple of centuries later. In revelation, as many argue it says not to add or take away anything. My thought is that this means to Revelation itself - not to the whole bible, since the Christian bible did not exist.

Many Christians do not realize how long to took for the bible to be put togehter - and that Paul never knew his writings where to be added. In fact, there were other letters that Paul wrote that were not put into the bible. Should we ignore these as somehow evil - or read them, understanding that they too have something to teach us.

Answer 3

It is not scriptural
2 Tim. 3:14 - Protestants usually use 2 Tim. 3:16-17 to prove that the Bible is the sole authority of God's word. But examining these texts disproves their claim. Here, Paul appeals to apostolic tradition right before the Protestants' often quoted verse 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Thus, there is an appeal to tradition before there is an appeal to the Scriptures, and Protestants generally ignore this fact.

2 Tim. 3:15 - Paul then appeals to the sacred writings of Scripture referring to the Old Testament Scriptures with which Timothy was raised (not the New Testament which was not even compiled at the time of Paul's teaching). This verse also proves that one can come to faith in Jesus Christ without the New Testament.

2 Tim. 3:16 - this verse says that Scripture is "profitable" for every good work, but not exclusive. The word "profitable" is "ophelimos" in Greek. "Ophelimos" only means useful, which underscores that Scripture is not mandatory or exclusive. Protestants unbiblically argue that profitable means exclusive.

2 Tim. 3:16 - further, the verse "all Scripture" uses the words "pasa graphe" which actually means every (not all) Scripture. This means every passage of Scripture is useful. Thus, the erroneous Protestant reading of "pasa graphe" would mean every single passage of Scripture is exclusive. This would mean Christians could not only use "sola Matthew," or "sola Mark," but could rely on one single verse from a Gospel as the exclusive authority of God's word. This, of course, is not true and even Protestants would agree. Also, "pasa graphe" cannot mean "all of Scripture" because there was no New Testament canon to which Paul could have been referring, unless Protestants argue that the New Testament is not being included by Paul.

2 Tim. 3:16 - also, these inspired Old Testament Scriptures Paul is referring to included the deuterocanonical books which the Protestants removed from the Bible 1,500 years later.

2 Tim. 3:17 - Paul's reference to the "man of God" who may be complete refers to a clergyman, not a layman. It is an instruction to a bishop of the Church. So, although Protestants use it to prove their case, the passage is not even relevant to most of the faithful.

2 Tim. 3:17 - further, Paul's use of the word "complete" for every good work is "artios" which simply means the clergy is "suitable" or "fit." Also, artios does not describe the Scriptures, it describes the clergyman. So, Protestants cannot use this verse to argue the Scriptures are complete.

Answer 4

Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Christian doctrine.

Sola scriptura was a foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant Reformation held by the reformer Martin Luther and is a definitive principle of Protestants today (see Five solas)

Sola scriptura may be contrasted with Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox teaching, in which the Bible must be interpreted by church teaching, by considering the Bible in the context of Sacred Tradition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_scriptura
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_solas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation

Answer 5

Many good answers here.

I will add to it that along with what everyone has said about Luther and his "sola scriptura" - he repented of this ideal shortly before his death saying that "Now every milkmaid who can read will found her own religion."

Which is exactly what has happened. Approximately 100 new Protestant denominations are launched every year.

While I love reading the bible, I am no theologian. So I differ to the theologians on such big biblical dreams as I cannot explain. I have to say, I love listening to the Jesuits talk about the bible. Fr. Mitch Pacwa is a favorite.

Answer 6

It doesn't.

Sola scriptura is the Reformation version of the emperor's new clothes. In their attempt to evade the biblical and historical evidence of the Church's magisterial authority the Reformers insisted on seeing in the Bible a doctrine which simply isn't there.

Answer 7

"Sola Scriptura" is Latin for "Scripture only". It was originally used by Martin Luther in his arguments against the Catholic Church. It is based on various verses throughout the Bible that tell us that the Scripture (the Word of God) and Scripture only should be the rule of law for the Christian - not any single man or outside source.

Answer 8

Many quote Revelation 22.18, but in the context it is talking about the words of Revelation directly.

You could also look at Leviticus 10 in the case of Nadab and Abihu, but again, I don't know that this is what you are looking for.

I think somewhere in one of the Corinthian epistles it says something to the effect of "Not to go beyond what is written." I could not find it right away though.

Answer 9

Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the assertion that the Holy Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear to the reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Truth

2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2Cr 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen.

Answer 10

I've never heard the phrase. Would you please expand on your question. That might help me. Thank you. :)

=======

Thank you for the explanation "guys". Another scripture to consider is the very end of the book of Revelation where a warning is given against adding or taking anything away from the "scrolls"... the Bible.