Sola Scriptura
Define Sola Scriptura. To me it means that all that is necessary for salvation is found in scripture, thus we should obey the command of Christ "That which ye have, hold fast till I come". This refutes to me that the Eastern Orthodox idea that you can add things to basic salvation not even found in scripture (like chrismation) heresy in the extreme. Nowhere in the new testament is a special oil, held only by the church or apostles, with a multitude of added ingredients, that is used in a ceremony to make you part of the church. That is spiritual witchcraft akin to that of Simon the Sorcerer.
I do not believe the definition of "sola scriptura" means "nothing is worth a thing if its not in the bible" I have actually heard the Orthodox say things like: "You have drink machines in church, and overhead projectors, so that's the same as us having a dozen rituals that must be observed to take the eucharist".
To discuss Sola Scriptura one must define it.
The thing with sola scriptura is that it has many definitions by many people. This is probably why the OED has no definition of "Sola scriptura". it means literally "only scripture" but only scripture for what?
1) To me the concept is entirely true if it is defined by prefixing "all that is necessary for salvation is found only in scripture".
2) If you add instead "All that is necessary for the Faith (Jude 1:3) is found only in scripture" I would also say it fits perfectly. The orthodox offer two main criticisms of that, viz:
a) What about the Gospel of Matthew being called Matthew? It is unproven
b) What about your overhead projectors and coffee machines in church?
As for Matthew it is indeed unproven to be written by him, but its not necessary to the Faith to prove it is, just to believe it is inspired, as it does not say who wrote Hebrews or Acts either.
As for the laughable anachronisms about Evangelical Churches, its funny how the Orthodox stoop to such unintelligent arguments, that bear testimony to the fact that they insult the intelligence of the people in their churches by saying it.
3) If you add instead "everything in the bible is proven by scripture only" I would agree that's wrong. It is proven by FAITH for instance about the prophecy of Enoch in Jude, but its not hard to have that Faith simply as it is there, and we believe the Epistle is inspired. Another example is "Jannes and Jambres" not mentioned in the OT but mentioned many times in the NT. But again here we have the bible telling us. Orthodoxy makes up names like Noah's wife was called "Na'amah" but Genesis 4:22 is not proven to be her. Next thing you know Orthodoxy then makes traditions about early bishops as if it is fact, and creates a preposterous doctrine we have hand-me-down ministries.
After you let the Orthodox and Catholics get away with that, they add the avalanche of rubbish to the Faith we see today, like The Miracle of Holy Fire, and all the items in The Dictionary of Churchianity on this website,
Sola Scriptura is about bible fundamentals, like salvation, not peripheral issues. The Catholics add to salvation itself. Further Jesus insisted you keep only what was revealed and add nothing else in Revelation
"that which ye have already hold fast till I come." Revelation 2:25 .
repeated in Jude:
"The Faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 1:3 .
A stunningly significant bible verse, where Jesus himself directs the church, at an early stage in history to "keep that which ye have" all the way to his return to Earth, thus an order not to believe all the Orthodox / Catholic add-ons their false churches teach.
Sola Scriptura in scripture:
MARK 7:9
"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."
PROVERBS 30:6
"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
2 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)
If scripture has all we need for salvation, it means the rites, rituals and traditions of Orthodoxy and Catholicism (that they say save) that are man made add-ons cannot possibly save, and are furthermore therefore proven to be superfluous to salvation.
When God (through Paul) writes "all scripture" he means ALL scripture. Even the OT man was NEVER saved by works, as God accounted Faith as righteousness to Abraham. In the new covenant we have quote "grace upon grace". Chrism (for instance) is not found in scripture, but the message of salvation IS. Thus...... chrism and chrismation are bogus and not required for salvation. It is a Co-Saviour heresy that contradicts the definition of the gospel in 1 Cor 15:1-4, John 3:16, and Luke 24:44-48.
You must understand that the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox do not like the concept of "sola scriptura" as it confirms the promise of John 3:16, that believing on Jesus alone saves. Their denies John 3:16 is true. They want to glue their "add ons" to the gospel that saves, works, penances, and priestcraft salvation rituals. They want to deny the concept of "saving Faith" which is trusting in Christ alone. Thus sola scriptura must be either denied, or modified into a strawman definition so it can be denied more easily.
PROOF OF THE TRUE BIBLE:
by FAITH we know the true bible:
1) Is the Gospel of John inspired? Answer - by Faith we know it is.
2) Is Bel and the Dragon inspired? Answer - NO - only a gullible fool thinks it is.
3) Catholics and Orthodox have bel and the dragon book, and thus by elimination we are left with the Evangelical / Protestant bible, as God PROMISES in Matthew 4:4 the word will be preserved on Earth word for word!
simple
(Latin: by Scripture alone) is a Christian theological doctrine which holds that the Christian Scriptures are the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.
It says we should LIVE BY IT Matthew 4:4. It says it is INSPIRED. It says quote :
"All SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:". Do you think that it is a coincidence THAT IS 2 TIMOTHY 3:16
and the other INFALLIBLE is 1 TIMOTHY 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
A List of Infallible Traditions?
1) Orthodox bishop's hats covered in gold? "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:6
2) The Infallible holy belt of Mary? (The Theotokos)
3) Infallible crucifixes? they say thy "never do statues" what is a crucifix but a small statue?
4) Infallible icons that drip myrrh.
5) Infallible heresies
6) The infallible tradition that at some point in history the Jews threw "Bell and the Dragon" out of their bible. or alternatively - the infallible tradition that God inspired the book and the Jews have never accepted it as inspired, but did accept the rest of Daniel. Sounds like infallible bunk to me.
2) Every single new testament ms in Greek as far as I know says Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, so as I dont believe God would allow the ms of the bible to be ruined by any lies, I therefore do not accept that the PRESERVATION of those ms is a TRADITION they are a PRESERVATION.
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Definitions:
BIBLE:
A) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3: 16
THEOLOGICAL / TERMINOLOGICAL:
1) "Sola Scriptura (Lat., ‘by scripture alone’). The belief that the truths of Christian faith and practice can and must be established from scripture alone, without additions from, e.g., tradition or development. It is thus in contrast to Roman Catholicism and papal definitions of truth in matters of faith and morals (see INFALLIBILITY), although theoretically such definitions are said to be rooted in scripture." Encyclopedia.com
2) "Sola Scriptura—A Definition
By sola Scriptura Protestants mean that Scripture alone is the primary and absolute source for all doctrine and practice (faith and morals). Sola Scriptura implies several things. First, the Bible is a direct revelation from God. As such, it has divine authority. For what the Bible says, God says." equip.org
(goes on to define: definition, sufficiency, authority, clarity, interpretiveness)
3) "The phrase sola scriptura is from the Latin: sola having the idea of “alone,” “ground,” “base,” and the word scriptura meaning “writings”—referring to the Scriptures. Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Sola scriptura was the rallying cry of the Protestant Reformation. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church had made its traditions superior in authority to the Bible. This resulted in many practices that were in fact contradictory to the Bible. Some examples are prayer to saints and/or Mary, the immaculate conception,transubstantiation, infant baptism, indulgences, and papal authority." got questions.org
4) "Question: What is Sola Scriptura?
Answer: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is the doctrine that the Holy Bible, being the Word of God, is the only infallible rule of faith and practice for Christians in the post-apostolic age."" justforcatholics.org
Having indicated what sola Scriptura is, we must also discuss what it is not. Sola Scriptura is often misunderstood and misrepresented. I am dismayed and angered whenever I read Catholic literature on this subject because more often then not they are attacking a straw man.
1) Sola Scriptura is not a claim that the Bible contains all knowledge.
2) Sola Scriptura is not a denial of the church's authority to teach God's revelation.
3) Sola Scriptura is not a denial that historically God's Word came in other ways other than the written form.
4) Sola Scriptura does not imply that the Bible will always be interpreted correctly, or that there will not be differences and heresies among Christians.
5) "Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by Scripture alone") is the Christian doctrine that the Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. Sola scriptura does not deny that other authorities govern Christian life and devotion, but sees them all as subordinate to and corrected by the written word of God." Wiki
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