Let us begin with Derek W. H. Thomas (1) and James R White (2) on the subject at hand, taken from the work Sola Scriptura,
The doctrine of scripture’s absolute and unchangeable authority is, in the end, a Christological issue. The question we should ask ourselves is this: Am I willing to hold to a different view of scriptures than Jesus held to? To give an affirmative answer is to suggest that Jesus was mistaken in his views on bible’s authority. It is to hold to the kenotic view of Jesus, one that suggests his assessments were governed either by the frailty of man or that he so submerged in the first century Jewish culture that he was simply “a man of his time.” Either way, we are not to rely upon his judgements as in any way absolutely true at all times. The massive problem with this formulation is that it leaves us uncertain that anything Jesus said was true in the ultimate sense- even about his mission to save sinners. (1)
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. To be more specific, I provide the following definition: The Bible claims to be the sole and sufficient rule of faith for the Christian Church. The Scriptures are not in need of any supplement. Their authority comes from their nature as God-breathed revelation. Their authority is not dependent upon man, Church or council. The Scriptures are self-consistent, self-interpreting, and self-authenticating. The Christian Church looks at the Scriptures as the only and sufficient rule of faith and the Church is always subject to the Word, and is constantly reformed thereby. (2)
The doctrine of Sola Scriptura
Now let us give a brief understanding of what this truth teaching in negative - positive sense; they are the following:
what sola scriptura is not:
* a claim that the bible contains all knowledge
* a claim that the bible is an exhaustive catalogue of all religious knowledge
* a denial of the churches role to teach Gods truth
* a denial that Gods word, at times has been spoken
* a rejection of every kind of tradition
* a denial of the role of the holy spirit guiding the church
All the above points are summarised picture of the role of sola scripture does not deny or reject crucial elements to the method of the truth being delivered .. such as: by oral tradition, nor is the rejection of every kind of tradition just those that seek to set themselves up as an equal or higher authority to Gods word -- like the pope and papacy.
what sola scriptura is
* scripture is the sole infallible rule of faith
* no other revelation is needed for the church
* there is no other infallible rule of faith outside of the scriptures
* scriptures reveal those things necessary for salvation
* all tradition is subject to the higher authority of the scriptures
all the above point are showing us that scripture has this place and league of its own .... there is no first place or second place or even level plain field for other writings as point 3 makes clear
and that all the necessary information for salvation is in the bible
The biblical case
In this article our goal is to lay out a case for the doctrine: 'Sola Scriptura' which at the basis of this divinely revealed truth is the full and final authority of the scriptures over the Christian's life; it is important to make this declaration due to the continual attacks from within the Christian faith and from outside the Christian faith. It is the constant refrain that "the bible nowhere teaches that it alone is the rule of faith or authority" is obviously a well liked retort.
Here what we seek to do is give a biblical foundation for believing that the bible is the full and final authority of the Christian faith. And with this we now will seek the bible for it's own testimony for it's own self attesting authority:
Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘ This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’In this passage we have Jesus divine verdict being made abundantly clear; when he states " You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!" It is here we see that Christ reject any claims of authority that "traditions" may have as to their origin being from God. He says that only God word which God inspired by the Spirit is inherently supreme in giving us the truth of God and his ways.
You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 15:1-9)
It is important to note that in this passage, Christ highlights two kinds of scriptures being authoritative over all believers. In the first place, he points to the commandment (the Law of Moses) by referring to "honour you Father and Mother." Then in the second place, he points to Isaiah which indicates not only is he showing the Jews they are phoney but that the prophetic writings are also authoritative over mankind.
An important point to mention at this time, the issue being dealt with here is "excessive rituals" this is not just seen in light of Jewish traditions. It is likewise an issue in Islam too. But what can be drawn from this is that Jesus would have also been against any tradition that raised man to a position that was not biblical founded such as Catholicism with the issue of Pope (papacy) and Saints (particularly that of Mary; God rest her beautiful soul) and all other illegitimate traditions therein.
This can be applied across board to Mormonism and its tradition of deification of man and any other issues and Jehovah witness and its perversions of watchtower, Jesus being an angel, and the Holy Spirit being nothing but a force.
We see that when you add to the bible many false traditions; then what the bible clear teaches gets lost in the mist of many dangerous avenues. It is the function religions take when scripture is abandoned as the full and final court of appeal.
Apostle John has this amazing statement to relay to us about the nature of scripture:
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:11-19)John is recording for our benefit the Lord Jesus concern regarding the time after he leaves the earth. It is Jesus words here which we must pay close attention too as they will help us with understand what the Christian focus must be while in this world- he states "I have given them your word... sanctify them in your truth; your word is truth. That they may also be sanctified in your truth." It is Lord's prayer that his believer will remain in the truth; and he identifies "the truth" as being the truth. So then it must be asked what is the truth?
The answer is simple that which the Spirit communicate through the beloved apostles and is inscribed as scripture. It bares the hallmark of being a divine communication about God, about man, about many other infallible truths.
Now what does this passage have to do with the current issue: the answer is everything. Since we have the very words of God in these 66 books and they all are inherent in their self authenticity and sufficiency in what they tell us - Then anything that comes along and is claimed to be of God must be subjected to the bibles standard of judgement.. and not assumed it is correct.
The bible says in 1 Thessalonian 5:21 to "test all thing and hold fast to what is true." Therefore, we must do that very thing. God's word is truth, man is false and full of lies.
This is the issue that concerned Paul in acts 20 there we read:
And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:25-32)It is Paul's concern for those at Ephesus (as much as it is for all Christian till this day) that they should be a discerning flock when it comes to issue of the faith. But mention two key points that are important to consider:
(1) that there would many wolves that come in amongst them; in other words, the danger would not be from the outside but from within. The very nature of this attack would be seen as "teaching twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." This was true then and it is true now; it is seen in many things such as purpose driven-ism and the Charismatic teaching of lately.
(2) in admonishing Paul leaves us with this important focus as he had done "teaching the full council of God" he says that the elders and the churches must be commended "to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" It is the truth of God's word that we must cling too.
And is to this pattern that Paul would later instruct his protégé Timothy
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out 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 (2 timothy 3:14-17)Paul is giving the church through his young protégé an important instruction on the manner of its day to day existence; for their were no actually Church establishments as their are today back then, they would have met for communion in any place they could find. It was often in believers homes they would gather for the reading of the truth. (As acts records). And Paul now leaves Timothy with a few important points:
(1) It is as Paul says "the sacred writing" another term for inspired words of God that are said "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Whether you want to say that this is the O.T alone or the whole is in both counts very likely. But the point here is that it is them alone that has this function of bring a person to faith in Christ (Obviously by the work of the Spirit).
(2) Paul goes onto say "All scripture is God breathed" that of course is the important point here: It means all that which is inherently marked with God's own declarative truth; as to it's origin it is of God's very nature and Character (another way to say this, the words as to their nature originate from God's very being); they are the truth because he is the truth.
(3) Because of that inherent nature, the scriptures have several functions when they are preached correctly: (a) profitable for teaching. (b) for reproof. (c) for correction. (d) for training in righteousness. In other words, they are the only thing that can soundly taught, can refine someone believer and make them stronger in the faith. They are also used for correct all kinds of error whether practical or doctrinal. and they train the person to become like Christ.
Apostle Peter chimes in on this matter in his letters as well:
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21)Here Peter gives us some important information regarding the nature of the "God breathed" scripture. He says, "we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention" Here the contrast being made has to do primarily with "Miracles" as the previous statement referred to the transfiguration. But in some way, we can also consider other things such as traditions too. In Peter's words we see the single more important focus he makes is to "the prophetic word" that which God has revealed by the hands of the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord. That is the main focus of Peters point. God's word is final.
(1) Peter then says "no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation." In other words, he is saying that the words of all prophecy in the God breathed word will be directly from the Spirit... and not our own understanding of any such events like the transfiguration.
(2) he then says "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This is the real issue .. man never spoke out his own imaginings, but only spoke that which God revealed by their mouths.
Apostle Paul gives us the following information through a confession of the church:
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:Here is one passage that the Catholics use to try an prove their position that "the church is the pillar" and therefore "it is the dispenser of truth." But it needs to be noted that is a fundamental error on their part, for they are assuming the position is true and then reading the position into the passage and in the end are perverting Paul's point.
He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:14-16)
Let us consider the sole statement, "the house hold of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." It is clear from reading the passage "the truth" is a separate and distinct thing from the Church, It the "truth" that needs to identified in this matter and we can identify it in John 17 Jesus Christ himself the truth says to his father "your word is truth" the very word of God , the scriptures are the truth that is the central thing that upholds the church and teaches the truths that are seen in verse 16.
And it is the same Paul who only a few verses earlier made it clear that Men who would be the leader (Pastors or Elders) in the church; by saying "the overseer must be able to teach" and what is it that must teach without failure In chapter 4:13 we are told "Until I come, devote yourself to public reading of scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching." It is all unified in the fact that it is the scripture that are the authority over the church.
It is absolutely essential to understand that when the church are unified under the bible as it final authority; then nothing can be taught with our a biblical examination.
Luke gives us another important passage for this discussion in Acts 17:
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. (Acts 17:10-15)This is a very important passage to consider in this examination, as it gives us a great instruction to abide by as believers in Christ; although in some sense these may have not been Christian at the points in time, but rather followers of "the way." But nonetheless, the same lesson is binding on us as it is a command which Paul later bestows on us to follow in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21. Now here are the words of Luke:
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed,The command to "test all things" or to "examine the scriptures" is the most noble and important thing that we are told to do by Paul. And how this is to be done may very from point to point; but the underline truth is nevertheless seen in all the matters at hand. It is the scriptures that are the final arbiter of truth, not man's opinion, not even the pope's declaration. When a cult comes knock you don't throw up some opinion of the pope but hold them to the power of God in his word.
How one views the scripture will
determine the rest of ones theology. There is no more basic issue: every system
of thought that takes seriously the claims of the bible to be the inspired,
authoritative word of God will share a commitment to particular central truths
and that without compromise. The systems that do not begin with this belief in
scriptures will exhibit a wide range that will shift over time in light of the
ever changing whims and views of culture. Almost every collapse involving
denominations and churches in regard to historic Christian beliefs can be
traced back to degradation in that groups view of the bible as the inspired and
inerrant revelation of God's truth. Once this foundation is lost, the house
that was built upon it cannot long stand. --- Scripture alone, page 43.
