Sola Scriptura?Sola Scriptura?Is the Sacred Scripture the only authority on matters of Is the Sacred Scripture the only authority on matters of

faith?faith?

ReformationReformation

Too brief intro: Martin Luther, affected by the lack of holiness among many of the hierarchy and his own scrupulosity [A tendency to be overly-critical of himself (Would go to Confession sometimes every day and even then doubt he was forgiven) and others], began to question the Church’s authority, especially things he felt were human additions/corruptions of Scriptural TeachingExamples:-Purgatory-Indulgences-Papal Authority-Some aspects of Reconciliation

By what authority?By what authority?

• Problem: When Luther rejects the absolute Problem: When Luther rejects the absolute authority of the Church, the natural question is authority of the Church, the natural question is “What is authoritative, AND by what authority “What is authoritative, AND by what authority can we say what is authoritative?”can we say what is authoritative?”

• Luther’s answer: Scripture, the inspired Word Luther’s answer: Scripture, the inspired Word of God, is the only sure authority on matters of of God, is the only sure authority on matters of faith.faith.

Scriptural Support?Scriptural Support?

• If the Bible is the only authority, it must state it’s the If the Bible is the only authority, it must state it’s the only authority. Otherwise it is a human addition itself only authority. Otherwise it is a human addition itself (read: heresy). So, does it?(read: heresy). So, does it?

• Deut. 4:2 - In your observance of the commandments Deut. 4:2 - In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.subtract from it.

• Rev. 22:18-9 - I warn everyone who hears the Rev. 22:18-9 - I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this God will add to him the plagues described in this book,book, and if anyone takes away from the words in this and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.

Scriptural Support? IIScriptural Support? II

• Mk 7:13 - You nullify the word of God in favor Mk 7:13 - You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.And you do many such things.

• 2 Tim 3:16-7 - All scripture is inspired by God 2 Tim 3:16-7 - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness,correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that one who belongs to God may be so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.competent, equipped for every good work.

Scripture and TraditionScripture and Tradition

• When When ChristChrist established his Churchestablished his Church, he , he founded it on individual people, guided by the founded it on individual people, guided by the Holy Spirit, not Holy Spirit, not onlyonly on a book. on a book.

You are peterYou are peter

• Mt. 16:16-19: Mt. 16:16-19:

• He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

• Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”the Son of the living God.”

• Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and bloodson of Jonah. For flesh and blood** has not revealed has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say And so I say to you, to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my churchbuild my church, and the gates of the netherworld , and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Biblical HistoryBiblical History

• Jesus did not write the Bible, and it didn’t fall Jesus did not write the Bible, and it didn’t fall from the sky. Who had the authority to write it?from the sky. Who had the authority to write it?

• The books that make up the New Testament are The books that make up the New Testament are written between the time of Jesus’ death and written between the time of Jesus’ death and ~90-100, with John’s Revelation being the last.~90-100, with John’s Revelation being the last.

Biblical History IIBiblical History II

• However, other books were also written around However, other books were also written around this time, some legit (e.g. the Didache), some this time, some legit (e.g. the Didache), some not (e.g. the Gospel of Thomas, actually written not (e.g. the Gospel of Thomas, actually written ca. AD 200).ca. AD 200).

• Next question: Who decided which books got in?Next question: Who decided which books got in?

• Answer: the Early Church, and it took them 2-Answer: the Early Church, and it took them 2-300 years.300 years.

• Interesting conclusion: The Bible is a product of Interesting conclusion: The Bible is a product of Tradition (The same Holy Spirit that inspired the Tradition (The same Holy Spirit that inspired the writings inspires the Church throughout history).writings inspires the Church throughout history).

Tradition! Tradition! (Tradition)(Tradition)

• 2 Thess. 2:15 - Therefore, brothers, stand firm 2 Thess. 2:15 - Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.letter of ours.

• 1 Cor. 11:2 - I praise you because you 1 Cor. 11:2 - I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.

Can it be passed on?Can it be passed on?

• 2 Tim 2:1-2 - So you, my child, be strong in the 2 Tim 2:1-2 - So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.others as well.

• Also…in case you forgot where the authority is Also…in case you forgot where the authority is coming from:coming from:

• 1 Tim 3:14-15 - I am writing you about these 1 Tim 3:14-15 - I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon.matters, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I But if I should be delayed, you should know how to should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is behave in the household of God, which is the the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truthof truth..

Jesus agreesJesus agrees

• Mt. 23: 1-3 - Then Jesus spoke to the crowds Mt. 23: 1-3 - Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.do not practice.The seat of Moses isn’t in the OT. It’s a tradition.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER PASSAGES?OTHER PASSAGES?

• Deut 4 and Rev 22 – Sacred Tradition is not Deut 4 and Rev 22 – Sacred Tradition is not something added to or taken away from Sacred something added to or taken away from Sacred Scripture. Both are manifestations of the Holy Scripture. Both are manifestations of the Holy Spirit leading the Church into greater union with Spirit leading the Church into greater union with the fullness of God’s self-revelation (Jesus).the fullness of God’s self-revelation (Jesus).

• Mk 7 – Are there some man-made traditions that Mk 7 – Are there some man-made traditions that could go against God’s Word? Yes. However, it could go against God’s Word? Yes. However, it is clear from the other passages that some is clear from the other passages that some traditions complement it.traditions complement it.

• 2 Tim 3 – Scripture is good for all of those things. 2 Tim 3 – Scripture is good for all of those things. The passage doesn’t say it’s the only thing that The passage doesn’t say it’s the only thing that is good for them.is good for them.