to Catholics ONLY: Sola Scriptura, is it Biblical?

Question

I asked because as a Catholic, Protestants keep on convincing me that I should follow the Bible only, and as a Catholic, of course, I don't listen to Protestants. I'm just wondering why Protestants are convinced that the Bible alone is the sole authority of truth.

Answer 1

no. The Bible doesn't state to be the sole authority anywhere. WE believe that Sacred Scripture (The Holy Bible) is a part of the authority of the Church, along with Sacred Tradition and the Sacred Magesterium (THe Bishop's and Pope's authority). Protestants have to keep in mind that The Holy Spirit chose and inspired the Roman Catholic Church to compose the Bible canon w/ 73 books in the 4th Century and by that time there was already 400 years of Sacred Tradition and The Sacred Magesterium. God bless

Answer 2

Not at all. Sola Scritpura states that the Bible in itself is self-teaching and the sole Christian Authority. The teaching was adopted by Lutherans during the Protestant Reformation as a means to separate from the Church (since the Bible is self-teaching there would be no need for a Pope).

The problem with this belief is the issue you come across when you go to a Protestant mass. The teachings can vary from congregation to congregation even though they may be the same form of Christianity. Catholics rely upon dogma and the Church's official interpretation of the Bible for its teachings, resulting in one uniform truth throughout the religion.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The idea that all revealed truth is to be found in "66 books" is not only not in Scripture, it is contradicted by Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Peter 3:16).

It is a concept unheard of in the Old Testament, where the authority of those who sat on the Chair of Moses (Matthew 23:2-3) existed.

In addition to this, for 400 years, there was no defined canon of "Sacred Scripture" aside from the Old Testament; there was no "New Testament"; there was only Tradition and non-canonical books and letters.

Once Scripture was defined from the many competing books, Bibles were hand-copied and decorated by monks, were rare and precious, so precious they had to be chained down in the churches so that they would not be stolen.

To believe that the Bible is our only source of Christian Truth is unbiblical and illogical.

Answer 4

Just the opposite:

2nd Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Obviously "by word" refers to something not written down, which would mean Sacred Tradition. Sacred Tradition has been passed down to us throughout the centuries, and it is ALWAYS compatible with the Bible. If a tradition contradicts properly-translated and interpreted Scripture, it would not be a part of Catholic doctrine.

Sola Scriptura is a manmade doctrine, and it is at odds with the Bible, itself. Ironic, isn't it?

Answer 5

No.

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12-13)

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 C.E.

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.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

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

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Not all Prot's agree with sola scriptura. Many sects may say that in concept but their theologians actually accept the writings of the church fathers and tradition, just not at the same 'rank' as scripture.

Sola scriptura is not biblical, it's a exegetical principle.

Answer 7

Sola Scriptura is self-contradictory. Sola Scriptura or Bible-only is not found any place in the Bible.

Answer 8

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

"Sola Scriptura" is not Biblical.

Answer 9

Sola Scriptura is not supported in the Bible. In fact, in 2 Thessalonians, it says the exact opposite -- we are to follow the Apostolic Tradition as it is written (Scriptures) and as it is spoken (oral tradition, some of which were later recorded in extra-Biblical writings).

Answer 10

From former RC....

It is not biblical.

2Th 2:15
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

New American Standard bible (considered most literal)

Jim, still Christian