Is the Bible alone is sufficient for spiritual truth?

Question

According to "Roman Catholicism" sacred tradition + the Bible together provide the foundation of spiritual truth.

The Word of God says,

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”
Revelation 22:18-19

What about the man made Catechism?

PaulCyp,

1 Timothy 3:15 when Paul speaks of the church as the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Timothy does not mean the church is the source from which truth will come. Pillars and foundations are not sources.

The Word of God says,

Jesus has all authority both in heaven and on earth. (Matt. 28:18)

Jesus is head over all things to the church. (Eph. 1:22-23)

wytepowe,

Why not? My beliefs must rest solidly on the teachings of the Holy Bible. Jesus said, "Word is truth" (John 17:17).

Answer 1

The Word of God is the only authority for the Christian faith. Traditions are valid only when they are based on Scripture and are in full agreement with Scripture. Traditions that are in contradiction with the Bible are not of God and are not a valid aspect of the Christian faith. Sola scriptura is the only way to avoid subjectivity and personal opinion from taking priority over the teachings of the Bible. The essence of Sola scriptura is basing your spiritual life on the Bible alone, and rejecting any tradition or teaching that is not in full agreement with the Bible. 2 Timothy 2:15 declares, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth."

Sola scriptura does not nullify the concept of church traditions. Rather, sola scriptura gives us a solid foundation on which to base church traditions. There are many practices, in both Catholic and Protestant churches, that are the result of traditions, not the explicit teaching of Scripture. It is good, and even necessary, for the church to have traditions. Traditions play an important role in clarifying Christian doctrine, and organizing Christian practice. At the same time, in order for these traditions to be valid, they must not be in disagreement with God’s Word. The must be based on the solid foundation of the teaching of Scripture. The problem with the Roman Catholic Church (and many other Christian churches) is that it basis traditions on traditions on traditions on traditions – often with the initial tradition not being in full harmony with the Scriptures. That is why Christians must always go back to sola scriptura, the authoritative Word of God, as the only solid basis for faith and practice.

Answer 2

Obviously the reference in Revelation doesn't refer to the Bible, since the Christian Bible didn't exist yet when this was written, and the writers didn't know that anything like the Bible ever would exist. If you read the passage in context, you find that the reference is to "the book of life" which God has in heaven. Your Bible however does tell you that the Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth". This is a powerful analogy. Take away the pillars and foundation from any structure and it will soon begin to weaken and warp, and before long will collapse. This is exactly what has happened to the truth, once removed from the one true Church where Christ placed it. The truth has warped and weakened and has finally collapsed. The doctrinal chaos of denominational religion is the rubble resulting from that collapse. What would you expect in a tradition that directly contradicts the stated will of God Himself - "that they all may be ONE".

Answer 3

How many books do you have in your Bible? What, more than Revelation? That would mean you use a man made canon, but wouldn't that be adding books to Revelation?

Your position is inconsistent. It is the Catholic Tradition (from way back before the Schism) that produced the Bible. It can't exist outside the Tradition, and that verse speaks on Revelation alone. It doesn't say that the book of Revelation is sufficient in and of itself for all spiritual truth, and since there was no Bible or biblical canon yet, then it certainly isn't talking about that.

Be careful when chastising someone for holding doctrines not found in the Bible when your ground for doing it isn't in the Bible.

Answer 4

It's been my experience that the only people who claim that the bible alone is sufficient for spiritual truth are usually the people who can't even remember John 3:16.

The bible is important, and if you want spiritual inspiration, it's a great place to start... but if you want a religion, you'll probably need to get some other things too.

The bible places an enormous importance on getting married, but nowhere in the bible is there a step by step explanation of how to get married. Is there spiritual truth in a wedding? I don't know. Is there spiritual truth in a catechism? I don't know. I've lived just fine without one for quite a while... but it is useful to be able to tell others what you believe without just saying "read the bible."

Answer 5

It means to not add text to nor delete text from. Interpretation is exempt. As far as the Catechism is concerned it does not address the book of revelation. And since you already knew this then why did you ask this question? And technically the Church is just those who believe in christ, nothing more.

Answer 6

The scripture you quoted is from Revelation and I believe is referring to the book of Revelation. I do believe that the entire Bible is God's written Word to us and is all we need for our doctrine, reproof and lessons in righteousness. It is complete.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, states that All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Answer 7

The Authorized King James Bible of 1611 (in any edition) is the providentially preserved, given by inspiration, inerrant, infallible, complete, written words of God which contains both the Old and New Testaments, 66 books, Genesis to Revelation, and it is THE FINAL ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS!!!. Psalm 12v6-7; 119v40; Proverbs 30v5; Matthew 24v35; Luke 24v27; 1 Timothy 5v18; 2 Timothy 3v15-17.

Isaiah 34v16 (Authorized King James Bible) "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read:...";

Psalms 119v89(Authorized King James Bible) "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven".

Proverbs 30v5(Authorized King James Bible) "Every word of God is pure..."

Matthew 24v35(Authorized King James Bible) "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

John 5v39(Authorized King James Bible) "Search the scriptures; ..."

Sola scriptura/scripture alone… Romans 4v3 (Authorized King James Bible) “For what saith the scripture?..."

IT DONT MATTER WHAT WE THINK, IT MATTERS WHAT THE written words OF GOD SAYS!!!

The roman cat-holic church did NOT give me the Bible!!!


In His Service,

Rev. Calvin C. White, Director,
Mountains of Grace World Outreach Center
P.O. Box 681410
Ft. Payne, AL 35968
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/m/mtnsofgrace/
E-mail Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mountainsofgraceministries/,
Profile: http://profiles.yahoo.com/I_am_an_on_line_evangelist


Mountains Of Grace Radio Church every Saturday at 4:45pm and Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm (central time-U.S.). On WJIE International shortwave radio, frequency 7.490. Listen on line at, http://www.wjiesw.com/listen.htm

Answer 8

The scriptures are a sufficient guide for faith and practice
IF IF IF IF
one has the Spirit of God. Did not Jesus tell the pharisees and saducees and doctors of the law, "You search the scriptures supposing that in them you have eternal life, but they are those which testify of me, and you will not come to me that you may have eternal life" and "Howbeit when the comforter is come, He will guide you into all truth..."

Tom

Answer 9

I believe the Bible has all the Spiritual Truth I need, and is basically the Christian life's manual. I'm not Catholic.

I don't follow practices Jesus didn't ordain in general. I prefer the Spirit guide me.

Answer 10

The Catholic Catechism doesn't teach spiritual truth.
It teaches Catholic doctrine, and Vatican dogma. Even the Catholics do not equate it with God's inspired Word, but accept it as a set of rules by which Catholics are given guidelines for life and belief.