Is the Bible alone (sola scriptura) the sole rule of faith?
NO.
Jesus left us a Church over 2000 years ago to teach, govern and sanctify in His name until the end of time. Catholics accept the Bible as an authority in matters of faith because it is God's inspired Word. However, we do not believe it to be the only rule of faith.
...
Why?
First of all, the Bible tells us that Jesus left us a Church with divine authority to govern in His name. (Matthew 16:13-20, 18:18, Luke 10:16). Christ also promised that the Church would last until the end of time. (Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20, John 14:16). The Bible also tells us that Sacred Tradition is to be followed alongside Sacred Scripture. (2 Thess 2:15, 3:6).
Sola Scriptura is not biblical. The doctrine of sola scripture is not even found in Scripture. In fact, the Bible tells us that we need more than just the Bible alone, for it says that not everything Jesus said and did is recorded in Holy Scripture. (John 21:25) and that we must hold fast to oral tradition - the "preached" Word of God. (1 Cor 11:2; 1 Pet 1:25.)
The Bible clearly tells us that it is the Church that is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)
Papal authority has strong support in Scripture, and can be traced back historically. Peter was appointed the first Pope by Christ Himself - he was given the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven." What a beautiful gift. To no one else does Christ give this ruling power. The popes as Christ's vicars are the visible heads of Christ's Church while Christ is the invisible and supreme head. For those who think Peter was not infallible, why do they accept his two letters (found in the Bible) as inspired (infallible)?
Remember, the canon of the Bible was officially determined in the fourth century by Catholic councils and Catholic popes. The Catholic Church determined what books belonged in the Bible. We needed the authority of the Church (outside the Bible "alone") to determine what books belonged in the Bible.
Leaving the Bible up for personal interpretation leads to thousands of different interpretations of Scripture. Think about the U.S. Constitution - - an authority (the Supreme Court) was established to guard, guarantee and officially interpret it - without it there would be chaos and endless divisions as everyone acting as their own authority. God is a God of order, not disorder. There is no way he would have left us with his Holy word without an authority to guard and officially interpret it. That just doesn't make sense.
Sola Scripture was unheard of before the Reformation , it is not biblical, it is not historical, and is not logical. Jesus left us a Church, who several hundred years later, decided what books belonged in the Bible. Thank God for our Magisterium, for Holy Scripture, and for Holy Tradition.
NO.
Jesus left us a Church over 2000 years ago to teach, govern and sanctify in His name until the end of time. Catholics accept the Bible as an authority in matters of faith because it is God's inspired Word. However, we do not believe it to be the only rule of faith.
...
Why?
First of all, the Bible tells us that Jesus left us a Church with divine authority to govern in His name. (Matthew 16:13-20, 18:18, Luke 10:16). Christ also promised that the Church would last until the end of time. (Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20, John 14:16). The Bible also tells us that Sacred Tradition is to be followed alongside Sacred Scripture. (2 Thess 2:15, 3:6).
Sola Scriptura is not biblical. The doctrine of sola scripture is not even found in Scripture. In fact, the Bible tells us that we need more than just the Bible alone, for it says that not everything Jesus said and did is recorded in Holy Scripture. (John 21:25) and that we must hold fast to oral tradition - the "preached" Word of God. (1 Cor 11:2; 1 Pet 1:25.)
The Bible clearly tells us that it is the Church that is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)
Papal authority has strong support in Scripture, and can be traced back historically. Peter was appointed the first Pope by Christ Himself - he was given the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven." What a beautiful gift. To no one else does Christ give this ruling power. The popes as Christ's vicars are the visible heads of Christ's Church while Christ is the invisible and supreme head. For those who think Peter was not infallible, why do they accept his two letters (found in the Bible) as inspired (infallible)?
Remember, the canon of the Bible was officially determined in the fourth century by Catholic councils and Catholic popes. The Catholic Church determined what books belonged in the Bible. We needed the authority of the Church (outside the Bible "alone") to determine what books belonged in the Bible.
Leaving the Bible up for personal interpretation leads to thousands of different interpretations of Scripture. Think about the U.S. Constitution - - an authority (the Supreme Court) was established to guard, guarantee and officially interpret it - without it there would be chaos and endless divisions as everyone acting as their own authority. God is a God of order, not disorder. There is no way he would have left us with his Holy word without an authority to guard and officially interpret it. That just doesn't make sense.
Sola Scripture was unheard of before the Reformation , it is not biblical, it is not historical, and is not logical. Jesus left us a Church, who several hundred years later, decided what books belonged in the Bible. Thank God for our Magisterium, for Holy Scripture, and for Holy Tradition.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20
ReplyDelete“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17
Jesus quoted the Old Testament 78 times. So there is no foundation for doing away with the Old Testament.
Sola Scriptura in scripture:
ReplyDelete2 TIMOTHY 3:15
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (saved through it)
2 TIMOTHY 3:16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (infallible as inspired word for word)