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Have you been taught that Sola Scriptura or the Bible Only theory is Biblical? Have you ever checked to make sure it is?
Does it matter to you that not one Christian soul before the Renaissance taught such an idea? How could have it been taught by the Apostles to the early Church then? Protestant theology lives or dies on the validity of this doctrine.
Protestants often ask: Do Catholics follow the Bible?
Yes, but unlike Protestants we don't believe Scripture is God's ONLY vehicle to deliver God's message.
Because that belief is in itself:
UNbiblical.
Catholics believe what Scripture tells us, that the Tradition of the Apostles and the Holy Scriptures are the word of God. (2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor. 11:2, 2 Thess. 3:6, 2 Tim. 2:2)
What is Apostolic Tradition?
In part it is the proper interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.
Proper interpretation of the Bible is crucial to understanding what the
apostolic author meant. And ONLY by review and research on how that message was interpreted to the
early Christian Church can we know this. Otherwise anyone can "Spin the Scriptures" and say the Apostles taught anything! (and many do as evidenced by 1000s and 1000s of Protestant denominations all teachings a different Gospel, contrary to Gal 1:8-9).
It has to be corroborated by the early Christian Church for it to be Apostolic.
Hence Apostolic Tradition.
Otherwise it is but an unsubstantiated notion, a mere unsubstantiated "opinion" on what the Bible says. So not only is Sola Scriptura UNbiblical, but because it is a Renaissance invention it is therefore UNapostolic/Unhistorical; it is unworkable in the search for the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is truly a modern idea, and therefore a Tradition of the Renaissance man.
Every objection to the Catholic Faith stems from the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura or "Bible Alone." That the Bible somehow teaches that the Holy Scriptures are the:
*SOLE* infallible rule of Faith,
and the Word of God as orally taught to the Apostles and the early Church must take a backseat to one's personal modern "interpretation" of the Bible.
Contrast this doctrine with the Apostolic/Biblical belief that the Holy Scriptures *and* how the Apostles/early Church interpreted them are the Rule of Faith for Christ's Church.
My friends I will accept this doctrine of Sola Scriptura if it is what the Apostles taught the Early Church. I.e., if it is truly Apostolic. If I wanted to be true to our Lord Jesus Christ I would have no choice. I will even convert to Protestantism if this Doctrine is Biblical. Again, I would have no choice. Because I just want to believe as the Apostles taught the early Church and I would assume all Christians do.
But the "Bible Only" theory is not part of Christian history and we know the early Church did not teach this doctrine in any shape or form. They would have to wait 1000+ years until the Renaissance to find the first person to teach Scripture as the *SOLE* infallible rule of faith. Since we know it does not predate the Renaissance, the most important question is now:
Is it even BIBLICAL?
Do the Holy Scriptures even teach that:
"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),
&
"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).
&
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the Tradition that you received from us" (2 Thess. 3:6).
Is Sola Scriptura or "Bible only" biblical? It isn't, for no where in the Holy Scriptures does Scripture say (or even imply, allude to, hint at or make reference to) the idea that the Bible is the:
The argument is therefore self-refuting. It makes a claim the Bible can't support.
Since the Holy Scriptures say that not everything has to *be* in the Bible, that has been the Christian position for 2000 years.
(John 20:30):
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book".
This message is Biblical and Scripture is explicit about it. Not everything is in the Bible.
The Christian Church believes this because it has been the teachings of the Apostles and the Early Church on Scripture for 2000 years.
Click here: Our Apostolic Fathers on Scripture and Apostolic Tradition
What Biblical evidence do Protestants have for this Renaissance doctrine?
None.
What historical evidence? None.
Is it Biblical? No.
Does it contradict the Holy Scriptures?
(2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor. 11:2, 2 Thess. 3:6, 2 Tim. 2:2)
Yes.
Remember, if a doctrine does not even predate the Renaissance,,, how on earth could have it been taught by the Apostles to the early Church?
Click here: Who practiced Sola Scriptura? The Bereans or the Thessalonians? You might be surprised.
"But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25).
Not everything need be in the Bible for it to be good. I.e. Protestants bowing their heads and praying with their eyes closed,,, alter calls,,,the sinners prayer,,,even praying to Jesus himself-Jesus instructs us to pray to his Father...etc. All of these are UNbiblical or Extra-bible. But at the same time, all good. This is another example of the failure of Sola Scriptura. Read the verses above again about Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.
Not everything need be in the Bible my friend, for that is what the Bible tells us:
(John 20:30)
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book"
"But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25).
Please don't try and make the Bible say something it doesn't, like the Bible is the *Sole* infallible rule of faith, i.e. the "Bible Only" theory. It doesn't claim to be the SOLE infallible rule of Faith, and it never says or implies "Bible Only," please don't pretend it does.
That is not being honest with yourself or with God.
Just because you have believed something for years on end, doesn't mean it's true.
Luther finally realized his error. And he is the one who coined the doctrine.
"This one, will not hear of Baptism, that one denies the Sacrament, another puts a world between this and the last day; some teach that Christ is not God, some say this, some say that there are about as many sects and creeds as there are heads. No yokel is so rude but when he has dreams and fancies, he thinks himself inspired by the Holy Ghost and must be a prophet." (De Wette III, 61)
SOBERING QUESTIONS:
Have you have been taught the Catholic Church became corrupt or has ever taught a false doctrine? What does Scripture say?
Have you been taught that Sola Scriptura or the Bible Only Theory is Biblical?
Did the Bereans follow the Bible Only Theory? Have you been taught that? See what Scripture says.
The 7 Stages of Spiritual Development, where are you?
The Flat Earth Society and common Protestant logic.
Click here for the words of our Apostolic Christian Fathers on Catholic doctrines
The Challenges
The 1st Unanswered Challenge for Protestant Theology
The 2nd Unanswered Challenge for Protestant Theology
The 3rd Unanswered Challenge for Protestant Theology
"Return to homepage: 3 Unanswered Challenges for Protestant Theology"