My take on Sola Scriptura

[tonychanyt]

Is Sola Scriptura a valid Biblical position?

I don't know because Sola Scriptura is not a term found in the Bible. I neither believe nor disbelieve it. When it comes to doctrines, I prefer to adhere to the wording of Scripture. People who like to generalize tend to overgeneralize in a doctrine. I know the following:

Matthew 23:

1 Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Listen to the scribes and the Pharisees.

2 Thessalonians 2:

15 brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Listen to Paul's teachings.

At the time of the apostles, in addition to the recognized Scripture, followers also paid attention to the spoken words of their contemporary authorities. However, they should check whatever the authorities had said against the Scriptures. Jesus scolded the authorities in Mark 7:

9b “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"

I am neither open nor closed to the concept of Sola Scriptura. My hermeneutical approach is different. I weigh everything, scripture or not. I don't see the need to use the term Sola Scriptura in my argumentation. I am not encouraging or stopping anyone from believing in Sola Scriptura. It is not my place to do so.

See also How to hear God.

 

[All Becomes New]

I want to point out a verse that I think calls scripture "God's words."

Matthew 4:4
"He (Jesus) answered (Satan), “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”"

 

[tonychanyt]

I want to point out a verse that I think calls scripture "God's words."

See Is the Bible the word of God? and follow up there

 

[Diamond72]

I am not encouraging or stopping anyone from believing in Sola Scriptura. It is not my place to do so.

The question is, what does the Bible say and what are the traditions of man.

 

[BBAS 64]

Good day,

Just to add an acceptable working definition of Sola Scriptura

First of all, it is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible is not exhaustive in every detail. John 21:25 speaks to the fact that there are many things that Jesus said and did that are not recorded in John, or in fact in any book in the world because the whole books of the world could not contain it. But the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church. We do not need to know the color of Thomas' eyes. We do not need to know the menu of each meal of the Apostolic band for the Scriptures to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church.

Secondly, it is not a denial of the Church's authority to teach God's truth. I Timothy 3:15 describes the Church as "the pillar and foundation of the truth." The truth is in Jesus Christ and in His Word. The Church teaches truth and calls men to Christ and, in so doing, functions as the pillar and foundation thereof. The Church does not add revelation or rule over Scripture. The Church being the bride of Christ, listens to the Word of Christ, which is found in God-breathed Scripture.

Thirdly, it is not a denial that God's Word has been spoken. Apostolic preaching was authoritative in and of itself. Yet, the Apostles proved their message from Scripture, as we see in Acts 17:2, and 18:28, and John commended those in Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be Apostles, Revelation 2:2. The Apostles were not afraid to demonstrate the consistency between their teaching and the Old Testament.

And, finally, sola scriptura is not a denial of the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and enlightening the Church.

What then is sola scriptura?

The doctrine of sola scriptura, simply stated, is that the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the "rule of faith" for the Church. All that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source. That which is not found in Scripture is not binding upon the Christian conscience. Sola Scriptura doesn't deny the presence of other authorities subordinate to the Scriptures. The "Sola" refers to its status as the only infallible authority, not the only authority.



http://www.aomin.org/SANTRAN.html

 

[tonychanyt]

Good day,

Just to add an acceptable working definition of Sola Scriptura

First of all, it is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge. The Bible is not exhaustive in every detail. John 21:25 speaks to the fact that there are many things that Jesus said and did that are not recorded in John, or in fact in any book in the world because the whole books of the world could not contain it. But the Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church. We do not need to know the color of Thomas' eyes. We do not need to know the menu of each meal of the Apostolic band for the Scriptures to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church.

Secondly, it is not a denial of the Church's authority to teach God's truth. I Timothy 3:15 describes the Church as "the pillar and foundation of the truth." The truth is in Jesus Christ and in His Word. The Church teaches truth and calls men to Christ and, in so doing, functions as the pillar and foundation thereof. The Church does not add revelation or rule over Scripture. The Church being the bride of Christ, listens to the Word of Christ, which is found in God-breathed Scripture.

Thirdly, it is not a denial that God's Word has been spoken. Apostolic preaching was authoritative in and of itself. Yet, the Apostles proved their message from Scripture, as we see in Acts 17:2, and 18:28, and John commended those in Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be Apostles, Revelation 2:2. The Apostles were not afraid to demonstrate the consistency between their teaching and the Old Testament.

And, finally, sola scriptura is not a denial of the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and enlightening the Church.

What then is sola scriptura?

The doctrine of sola scriptura, simply stated, is that the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the "rule of faith" for the Church. All that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source. That which is not found in Scripture is not binding upon the Christian conscience. Sola Scriptura doesn't deny the presence of other authorities subordinate to the Scriptures. The "Sola" refers to its status as the only infallible authority, not the only authority.



http://www.aomin.org/SANTRAN.html

Go ahead and ask me the question without using the term Sola Scriptura.

 

[Diamond72]

First of all, it is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge.

The Bible contains all answers and all solutions. Even the Bible does contain all knowledge and all understanding. The Bible is infinite. Yet everyone seems to want to argue with everyone as to their perception of the Bible.

 

[Mike McK]

Is Sola Scriptura a valid Biblical position?

Well, Jesus sure seemed to think it is.

I don't know because Sola Scriptura is not a term found in the Bible.

Neither is the Trinity.

When it comes to doctrines

Sola scriptura is a praxis, not a doctrine.

At the time of the apostles, in addition to the recognized Scripture, followers also paid attention to the spoken words of their contemporary authorities. However, they should check whatever the authorities had said against the Scriptures.

Oh, you mean they followed sola scriptura.

See also How to hear God.

Thats easy. If you want to hear God, read your Bible. If you want to hear God audibly, read your Bible out loud.

 

[RamiC]

"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."- John 1-1 KJV

​

Anglican tradition says this:​

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2 - "The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father"​

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6 - "Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man"​

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20 - "and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same,"​

​

39 Articles - on this link you can see them all - but good luck with the English it is from 1571!​

​

So, "the Word" is Jesus (of the Father) as in John 1 - 1. The Bible is "God's word written" and it contains absolutely all one requires for salvation, no good church advocates anything contrary to God's word written and no part of God's word written can be put forward or explained such that it contradicts any other part.

 

[tonychanyt]

Well, Jesus sure seemed to think it is.

Define Sola Scriptura operationally.

 

[concretecamper]

So, "the Word" is Jesus (of the Father) as in John 1 - 1. The Bible is "God's word written" and it contains absolutely all one requires for salvation

Where does the Bible claim this?

 

[RamiC]

Where does the Bible claim this?

It is right there in my post - the first verse of the gospel of John.

Also here "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 ESV

Explanation here

 

[RamiC]

Where does the Bible claim this?

If you mean all that one requires for salvation, that is just to say that the Bible contains and provides everything a person needs to know about to be saved, that the church should not add to whatever the Bible says is required for salvation, and that the church may not ask people to do or believe anything for salvation, unless it can be shown with the Bible that it is required.

Basically the fundamental requirement is here - " 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10 - 9 NKJV

The basis for the "word of God, written" is here, along with John 1-1:

"20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21

 

[concretecamper]

It is right there in my post - the first verse of the gospel of John.

Also here "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 ESV

Explanation here

This does not claim that Scripture contains all that is absolutely necessary for salvation.

 

[concretecamper]

If you mean all that one requires for salvation, that is just to say that the Bible contains and provides everything a person needs to know about to be saved, that the church should not add to whatever the Bible says is required for salvation, and that the church may not ask people to do or believe anything for salvation, unless it can be shown with the Bible that it is required.

It is pretty straightforward. YOU claimed that the Bible contains absolutely all needed for salvation. I just asked where does the Bible state that.

You've cited some scripture passage, neither of which say what you claim.

You said: "The Bible is "God's word written" and it contains absolutely all one requires for salvation

Please explain how John 1:14 or 2 Peter 1:20-21 says the Bible contains absolutely all one requires for salvation.

 

[RamiC]

It is pretty straightforward. YOU claimed that the Bible contains absolutely all needed for salvation. I just asked where does the Bible state that.

I cited a document, which says that, and a verse from the Bible which is all that one needs for salvation.

Why do you think the Bible itself has to also say that it says this ? - " 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10 - 9 NKJV

It does say it. That is Romans 10 - 9.

 

[concretecamper]

I cited a document, which says that, and a verse from the Bible which is all that one needs for salvation.

Why do you think the Bible itself has to also say that it says this ? - " 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10 - 9 NKJV

It does say it. That is Romans 10 - 9.

That's the third reference where it says nothing about the Bible being absolutely all that is needed for salvation. Care to go for the 4th?

 

[RamiC]

That's the third reference where it says nothing about the Bible being absolutely all that is needed for salvation. Care to go for the 4th?

I ask again, why do you think the Bible itself needs to say that it says what is says as well as saying it?

 

[concretecamper]

I ask again, why do you think the Bible itself needs to say that it says what is says as well as saying it?

I'd like you to provide proof from Scripture that supports your claim "The Bible is "God's word written" and it contains absolutely all one requires for salvation".

We can all agree that the Bible is God's word. But you added a claim that it is absolutely all one requires for salvation (which the Bible itself doesn't claim). It is not a difficult question.