Sola Scriptura - the Bible Alone? | Essential Apologetics

Class date: 1/7/17

Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit

Page 13, Beginning Apologetics 1 student book.Sola scriptura, or the "Bible only," is a Protestant doctrine invented in the fifteenth century. It declares the Bible is the sole source of revelation and the only and final judge in all matters of the Christian faith. Martin Luther developed it as a reaction to the historic teachings of the Catholic Church and of the Fathers of the first centuries. Luther rejected the authority of the Church and the apostolic tradition and so was left with sola scriptura—the Bible alone. (- Steve Ray)On a popular level, it simply means, “If a teaching isn’t explicit in the Bible, then we don’t accept it as doctrine!” (- Tim Staples)
1. Variations: Some Protestants, especially mainline denominations e.g. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists do in fact respect tradition and even church authority to some > or < extent; however, they believe that only Scripture is protected from teaching error. If conflict, go with Bible.
2. So effectively, they still believe sola scriptura.
3. Evangelizers will often try to get you to first agree that the Bible is the sole rule of faith.
4. Rather than the Bible alone, what do we Catholics believe?
  1. Read CCC 81-82
  2. IOW, Catholics accept both Scripture and Sacred Tradition, which is the whole of revelation entrusted to the apostles.
  3. We also accept the authority of the Church, to whom Christ entrusted the transmission and interpretation of this Revelation.
5. We must show evangelizers (#3 above) that Christ left not just a Bible but a Church with authority.
6. We do accept the Bible as God's inspired Word, but we cannot accept it as the only authority. Why not? (write on board) Because:
  1. it goes against the Bible.
  2. it goes against history.
  3. it goes against common sense.

Item 1: Bible - What does the Bible tell us about the Church Jesus established? (Hand out references to look up.)
1. Look up:
  1. Mt 16:13-20 – discuss
  2. Mt 18:17-18
  3. Lk 10:16
  4. Summarize: Scripture tells us that Christ left a Church with divine authority to govern in His name.
2. Look up:
  1. Mt 16:18 (ask person with Mt 16 to read this one verse again) – discuss meaning
  2. Mt 28:19-20
  3. Jn 14:16
  4. These verses tell us that Christ promised that this Church (his Church) would last until the end of time.
3. Look up:
  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – did you hear that? (tradition)
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
  3. Summary: The Bible also tells us that Sacred Tradition is to be followed alongside Sacred Scripture.

History – The history of the Bible, which we talked about the last couple of meetings, shows us that the Bible was never intended to be the sole rule of faith. Christianity and the Church existed before any of the New Testament was written, and for centuries before the Canon was settled.

Common sense – A document cannot by itself guide people. Imagine if the Founding Fathers had just created the Constitution and left each American to figure out for himself what it meant and how to live by it. What would we have? (Chaos.) That's why they gave us not just the Constitution but the Supreme Court.

Discussion and objections:
1. Objection 1: Often the Protestant response just turns the argument against the Catholic. "How do you know Scripture is inspired? Your reasoning is just as circular. You say the Church is infallible because the inspired Scripture says so, then you say that Scripture is inspired and infallible because the Church says so!"
  1. A (Tim Staples): Not only is this not an answer, but it also misrepresents the Catholic position. Catholics do not claim the Church is infallible because Scripture says so. The Church is infallible because Jesus said so. The Church was established and functioning as the infallible spokesperson for the Lord decades before the New Testament was written.
  2. It is true that we know Scripture to be inspired and canonical only because the Church has told us so. That is historical fact. DIAGRAM THIS: Catholics reason to inspiration of Scripture through demonstrating first its historical reliability and the truth about Christ and the Church. Then we can reasonably rely upon the testimony of the Church to tell us the text is inspired. This is not circular reasoning. The New Testament is the most accurate and verifiable historical document in all of ancient history, but one cannot deduce from this that it is inspired.
2. Objection 2: Protestants who believe that the Bible alone is the only and final judge in all matters of faith will often point to the following verses in support of their claim.2 Tim 3:16-17 - "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
  To this we may reply:
  1. Catholics completely accept this teaching.
  2. While Scripture is "profitable" for teaching etc., that does not mean that Scripture by itself is sufficient or that only Scripture is useful for those things.
  3. Compare this verse with James 1:4, which tells us to "let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." If 2 Tim 3:16-17 teaches sola scriptura (the Bible alone), then James 1:4 teaches sola perseverantia (steadfastness or perseverance alone).
  4. Look at the context. The previous verse, 2 Tim 3:15 says that Timothy has known these sacred writings from childhood. This means that (as the New Testament was obviously still being written and would not be canonized for centuries yet) Paul is referring to the Old Testament. Surely no Christian would claim that he is teaching us to accept only the OT!
  5. In addition, the Bible actually teaches that Christians should obey Tradition as well as Scripture, and points to the Church as the safeguard of truth.
    1. "the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." - 1 Tim 3:15
    2. "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." - 2 Thess. 2:15, also see 2 Thess. 3:6
    3. "I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you." - 1 Cor. 11:2
    4. more key verses in the handout (see below).
3. One point to bear in mind is that "tradition" (small-t) should be distinguished from Tradition (big-T). Big-T Tradition is part of God's Revelation and stands on the same level as Sacred Scripture. Small-t traditions may help illuminate some aspect of the faith or help us to live it out, but is man-made and not an essential part of the faith. On occasion, traditions -- such as some of the rules the Pharisees made -- may even be contrary to Revelation.
4. Sola Scriptura is logically impossible. Here's why:
  1. If Sola Scriptura is true, the Bible must teach it – yet it does not, though Protestants do claim it does.
  2. BUT, if the Bible did teach Sola Scriptura, that would be circular.
  3. Therefore, logically, Sola Scriptura cannot be true.
  4. This is something that Catholics must understand, although it does not often make a persuasive argument to a Protestant.

Close with prayer.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of Your Son, the Word Incarnate. We thank You for the gifts of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition “flowing out from the same divine well-spring” to make “present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ,” Who promised to remain with us always. (CCC 80)

Return Bibles / books / supplies to cupboard.