Do Sola Scriptura Christians make the Bible an Idol?

Question

By refusing to accept anything but the Bible as the revelation of God, and declaring you can't be saved unless you believe in the Bible alone, are fundamentalist sola scriptura adherants actually turning the Bible into an Idol?

It seems that way to me. How often do we hear these people say 'the answer is in the Bible', or 'turn to the bible' instead of 'turn to God' and 'the answer is Christ'.

Also isn't it strange that these same people who declare that the Bible is all we should use actually remove 7 books from the Bible?

Hinds Feet >> Please quote me 1 verse where the Bible says that the Bible is the only thing we should use.

When the original Bible was decalared to be the Word of God, those seven books were included. You either believe that those people who chose the canon of scripture were guided by the Holy Spirit and right or you believe they were wrong. There is no middle ground on this issue.

LOL you research your history!! When was the Canon of Scripture for Christians declared? Which books were declared in that Canon?

Do your research properly, and don't believe those you know are already anti catholic, research it yourself, from both sides!

Answer 1

There is no "sola scriptura" in the bible.

We know without a doubt that Holy Scripture is incomplete. How do we know that? Holy Scripture itself clearly tells us that it is incomplete. Consider the following:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. ( John 20:30-31)

"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." ( John 21:25).

"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15)


As we can see, Holy Scripture itself clearly states that it is incomplete. Since we have seen that Holy Scripture is indeed incomplete, where is the rest of the Deposit of Faith? Let's consider the following citations:

"do you not recall that while I was still with you I told you these things -- stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.". ( II Thess 2:5-15).

"So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." ( Romans 10:17-18)

"Follow the pattern of the sound words, which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." ( 2 Timothy 1:13)

"And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well." ( 2 Timothy 2:2)

"Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. No one who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father." ( 1 John 2:22)

"Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete." ........ ( 2 John 12)

"Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true. I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face." ( 3 John 12-14)


Is the Bible the sole "teaching from God?" No. The Bible Itself states that their are "oral" teachings and traditions that are to be carried on to the present-day (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:24-25). These teachings are what the Catholic Church considers "Sacred Apostolic Tradition." This type of "Tradition" never changes because it was passed down by the Apostles themselves. It is not the same as the man-made traditions condemned in Scripture. The man-made traditions condemned in Scripture were those of the Jewish Pharisees. In fact, as Christians, we are suppose to disassociate ourselves from persons who do not follow Apostolic Tradition (2 Thessalonians 3:6). If oral tradition is not to be followed, why did St. Paul state Christ said something that is not recorded in the Gospels (Acts 20:35)? St. Paul must have "heard" this saying, not read it from any Gospel or "Scripture," thereby, proving that some things Christ said were not recorded in the Gospels (John 21:25) and were passed on orally among His disciples instead, but were just as valid as anything written since St. Paul himself used one of these oral passages in one of his own epistles.


Did the early Christians have the Bible as we know it? No. The Bible as a whole was not compiled until the late 4th century and then it was compiled by a Catholic saint (St. Jerome) at the request of a Catholic pope (St. Damasus I). So how were the early Christians saved if they did not possess the entire written "Word of God" to follow His teachings? Well, naturally, they were the Body of Christ and were taught through "oral" teachings by the Church, not by writings.




Didn't Jesus Christ with His own mouth instruct His disciples to "write down" His teachings? No. With the exception of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) by St. John the Apostle, Jesus Christ gives no such instructions to any of His disciples or Apostles. In fact, only the Apostles Sts. Peter, John, James, Jude and Matthew were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write Scripture. Why were the other seven not inspired of the Holy Spirit to "write" if the "written" Word of God is the ONLY authority to be followed in the Christian religion?
Does the Bible state It is the sole or final authority of Christianity? No. Neither this statement nor anything even close to it appears anywhere in the New Testament. In fact, Christ said that the Church is to resolve disputes among Christians, not Scripture (Matthew 18:17).

What did Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, state about the Bible? In his "Commentary On St. John," he stated the following: "We are compelled to concede to the Papists that they have the Word of God, that we have received It from them, and that without them we should have no knowledge of It at all." Regardless of what non-Catholic Christians may think or say, according to secular, objective historians, the Catholic Church alone preserved Sacred Scripture throughout the persecution of the Roman Empire and during the Dark Ages. All non-Catholic Christian denominations owe the existence of the Bible to the Catholic Church alone. Why did God choose the Catholic Church to preserve Scripture if It is not His Church?

Answer 2

The Bible is the inspired word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:16. God is truth, Psalm 31:5, but also spirit. John 4:24. He is known to us by the creation and our own spirit that dwells within, Romans 1:18-20, and for the believer, by the Holy Spirit that guides us. John 16:13.

In the final analysis, much of what we know about God is found in the Bible. The Word itself, being truth, is God:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:1-5, 14 (NIV).

Christians do not worship the Bible, but they do worship God. In doing so, they study His Word and draw closer to Him. Joshua 1:7-9; Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:15.

I agree that you should turn towards God, Acts 3:19, just remember that his son, Jesus, IS the Word. John 1:1-3.

Answer 3

I know a lot of people who turn to the Bible all the time and basically use the book as a medium to understand God's will. However, even if restricted in the scope of the reading, usually they are not at all restricted in the interpretation. Through interpretation there is a lot of plasticity in the 'sola scriptura' approach of many protestant Christians. - So, if the people I know are a representative sample, I'd say that a 'sola scriptura' approach does not idolize the Bible, it only restricts possible interactions with God to one single, relatively fool-proof medium.

Answer 4

I would have to say yes. I think an argument can be made that it is possible to read and understand the Bible outside of the church, but adhering to sola scriptura, proves that one does not understand the bible. I certainly dont ever mean to downplay the importance of scripture, particularly when I call protestants to task for the false doctrine of sola Scriptura. Scripture is vital to salvation, in fact the sacraments are living scripture. So, scripture and the church are tightly coupled. certainly the church could exists without Scripture, however one of her functions is to spread the good news, so there tightly coupled. What do think Father? I'm just a guy., trying to evangelize. Pray for me and my fiance we need it. Thank you..

Answer 5

If I was a person who was touched by the Holy Spirit enough to be capable of believing that Jesus is Lord, then I would have to wonder where I got it from. If I was that same person who was then taught by His Spirit about what is in the Bible, then I would have to wonder why I was so blessed.

And then in my Christian life, if I would encounter others who said that it was not by scripture alone that I am saved, I would have to agree. If the God did not want me to understand it, I could study it all my reading life and not really know what it meant. So I would have to wonder who is laying the charge of sola scriptura?

They are Latin words and the ones who are typically leaning to the Latin language are the Roman Catholics. They also use the term 'sola scriptura'. The Roman Catholics typically describe people who are named Protestants as being those who use scripture only to understand God, the working of salvation, and the desire of God through history.

So then I have to wonder, what's wrong with that? What's wrong with studying the Bible and understanding so much about God through that method? Who says that's wrong?

The Roman Catholics. There might be others, but I hardly see them. They are not near as present.

So with that I begin to look at them from the perspective of someone outside of them, and I see what they have done:

They have incorporated Mary the mother of Jesus and placed her as Mediator be tween man and God. They have incorporated beads,as a way that prayer may be conducted. They have a Pope. Who has an apparent succession since Peter. They have a way of making certain people saints, when I thought that the saints were the believers in Him, and there are ten thousands of them showing up in scripture, and I believe that they are working on their first ten thousand, and being far from that number. They have transubstantiation. Where they eat the literal body of Christ like cannibals ( canni baal) , due to not really looking at scripture - but is a misinterpretation of John 6. They have the Apocrypha, where they tear out a certain portion of Esdras in order to keep their precious Purgatory intact. And I see that the saints and Mary are a part of their worship ceremonies, what part of any Christian tradition is that?

They came from before and are not Christian. Yet they are Christian; they are, and then they are not!

Are THEY the great example of what the Lord wants us to be?! And if I look into history close enough, what will I find. A church that lived in peace to all who live amongst them? Perhaps when they were the 'State Church', were they kind to all religions as they appear to be now? What will I see in the past of that very large and powerful church's history?

Care to guess?

Answer 6

We believe the Bible is the Word of God. In the Bible who is the Word? The answer is Jesus. We build our churches upon the Word.

The seven books that were removed were not considered to be a true part of the Bible from the earliest time. There were warnings from the earliest time that they were not inspired.

Research your history the apocrypha was not considered canon. The early church leaders said not to base doctrine on it. They were included but they were not considered inspired. Thus since they were never intended to be used for doctrine but just as useful reading there was no reason not to remove them.

Answer 7

An idol and idolatry are things that take us away from God.
On the contrary the Bible brings us to God. read John 1:1 and find that Jesus is the word.
Gods word is holy He will not break His word,
God says what He means,
and means what He says.
It is the standard, the manufacturers instruction book, for mankind. Some churches have added their dogma and traditions as equal to the Bible and they are wrong...dead wrong. God warns not to add to His word and not to follow the traditions of men.
Error came into the church when men (teachers, pastors, bishops, Popes) taught what they thought was right. Some laymen have taught what they thought was right (Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen White, Judge Rutherford, Miller,Hubbard,LaVey,Warren,
Joseph Smith) Everyone of them cannot be right, so we must judge them by one standard....God's word. When we examine what ANY teacher says in the light of God's word. We can expose error and heterodoxy, yes even our own hearts.
God says we are renewed by the washing in His Word. and
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 TIM 3:16

Answer 8

Once you are convinced that the bible is not just a book but hte inspired word of God, then leaning on the Bible is leaning on the word of God

Answer 9

"Sola Scriptura" Christians? "Catholic" Christians? "Protestant" Christians?

There's only one true Christ, one true body of Christ, and all those who are His true followers are called Christians. Period. No one else can accurately be called a Christian; on the other hand, all who are born again into Christ are simply, "Christians."

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:11 ...where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

So, I know you are asking an honest question (and I sort of went off on you about the myriad other questioners that seek to understand these man-made subdivisions of the true body of Christ,) but really, as a true follower of Christ, we must all recognize that no one will be asked for their religious credentials or affiliations as they walk into the presence of the Almighty and Holy God.

On that day, the Day of the Lord, it will simply be this: those that truly believe that Jesus is Lord in; all others, out. John 3:16 Amen.

Answer 10

I use these phrases almost interchangeably -- as turning to God is the same as turning to His Word. "The Word became flesh . . ." and so on. If they were to be saying "Here, worship this collection of pages and ink," then we would have a problem, but they are referring to the inspired Word of God inside.
Have a great night!

Answer 11

THE WORD IS SO MUCH

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture
cannot be broken;
10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world,
Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through
the truth. 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word;
Heb.4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.