Question: "What is sola scriptura?"

Answer: 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. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church and father of the Protestant Reformation, was publicly rebuking the Catholic Church for its unbiblical teachings. The Catholic Church threatened Martin Luther with excommunication (and death) if he did not recant. Martin Luther's reply was, “Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture, or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the Word of God, I cannot and will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me! Amen!”

The primary Catholic argument against sola scriptura is that the Bible does not explicitly teach sola scriptura. Catholics argue that the Bible nowhere states that it is the only authoritative guide for faith and practice. While this is true, they fail to recognize a crucially important issue. We know that the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible declares itself to be God-breathed, inerrant, and authoritative. We also know that God does not change His mind or contradict Himself. So, while the Bible itself may not explicitly argue for sola scriptura, it most definitely does not allow for traditions that contradict its message. Sola scriptura is not as much of an argument against tradition as it is an argument against unbiblical, extra-biblical and/or anti-biblical doctrines. The only way to know for sure what God expects of us is to stay true to what we know He has revealed—the Bible. We can know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that Scripture is true, authoritative, and reliable. The same cannot be said of tradition.

The Word of God is the only authority for the Christian faith. Traditions are valid only when they are based on Scripture and are in full agreement with Scripture. Traditions that contradict the Bible are not of God and are not a valid aspect of the Christian faith. Sola scriptura is the only way to avoid subjectivity and keep personal opinion from taking priority over the teachings of the Bible. The essence of sola scriptura is basing your spiritual life on the Bible alone and rejecting any tradition or teaching that is not in full agreement with the Bible. Second Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Sola scriptura does not nullify the concept of church traditions. Rather, sola scriptura gives us a solid foundation on which to base church traditions. There are many practices, in both Catholic and Protestant churches, that are the result of traditions, not the explicit teaching of Scripture. It is good, and even necessary, for the church to have traditions. Traditions play an important role in clarifying and organizing Christian practice. At the same time, in order for these traditions to be valid, they must not be in disagreement with God’s Word. They must be based on the solid foundation of the teaching of Scripture. The problem with the Roman Catholic Church, and many other churches, is that they base traditions on traditions which are based on traditions which are based on traditions, often with the initial tradition not being in full harmony with the Scriptures. That is why Christians must always go back to sola scriptura, the authoritative Word of God, as the only solid basis for faith and practice.

On a practical matter, a frequent objection to the concept of sola scriptura is the fact that the canon of the Bible was not officially agreed upon for at least 250 years after the church was founded. Further, the Scriptures were not available to the masses for over 1500 years after the church was founded. How, then, were early Christians to use sola scriptura, when they did not even have the full Scriptures? And how were Christians who lived before the invention of the printing press supposed to base their faith and practice on Scripture alone if there was no way for them to have a complete copy of the Scriptures? This issue is further compounded by the very high rates of illiteracy throughout history. How does the concept of sola scriptura handle these issues?

The problem with this argument is that it essentially says that Scripture’s authority is based on its availability. This is not the case. Scripture’s authority is universal; because it is God’s Word, it is His authority. The fact that Scripture was not readily available, or that people could not read it, does not change the fact that Scripture is God’s Word. Further, rather than this being an argument against sola scriptura, it is actually an argument for what the church should have done, instead of what it did. The early church should have made producing copies of the Scriptures a high priority. While it was unrealistic for every Christian to possess a complete copy of the Bible, it was possible that every church could have some, most, or all of the Scriptures available to it. Early church leaders should have made studying the Scriptures their highest priority so they could accurately teach it. Even if the Scriptures could not be made available to the masses, at least church leaders could be well-trained in the Word of God. Instead of building traditions upon traditions and passing them on from generation to generation, the church should have copied the Scriptures and taught the Scriptures (2 Timothy 4:2).

Again, traditions are not the problem. Unbiblical traditions are the problem. The availability of the Scriptures throughout the centuries is not the determining factor. The Scriptures themselves are the determining factor. We now have the Scriptures readily available to us. Through the careful study of God’s Word, it is clear that many church traditions which have developed over the centuries are in fact contradictory to the Word of God. This is where sola scriptura applies. Traditions that are based on, and in agreement with, God’s Word can be maintained. Traditions that are not based on, and/or disagree with, God’s Word must be rejected. Sola scriptura points us back to what God has revealed to us in His Word. Sola scriptura ultimately points us back to the God who always speaks the truth, never contradicts Himself, and always proves Himself to be dependable.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/sola-scriptura.html#ixzz3HuvzY2mt

From What I Understd From Dis Write Up Is Dat Sola Scriptural Is Unbiblical And A Tradition Of Man

Dear op, I know the arguments on Sola Scriptural quite well and more than substantial teachings of the Catholic Church for those who profess Sola Scriptural. I will only make one reference from your post and if am chanced to come on some other day, I will post other answers.

The Catholics pray to Mary and according to you, it is unbiblical. Below is the prayer as it is said.
'Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen'

Now, open your bible to gospel of St Luke 1:28. That's the first part of the above prayer. Read further down from verses 29ff.
Again, Lk 1:41-43. is the second part of the prayer.
The third part of the prayer is the affirmation of the church on what the angel, Elizabeth and Mary proclaimed. Refer to Lk 1:48 and also Jn 2:1-5.

The only group I feel for are my fellow Catholics whom when asked where is it in the Scripture? They began to look left, right, front and back.
On a final note dear friend, the Catholic Church believes in the sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition.

vest:
From What I Understd From Dis Write Up Is Dat Sola Scriptural Is Unbiblical And A Tradition Of Man

Yeah you are right. sola scripture is a man made protestant tradition. It was developed by the antisemitic Martin Luther and has no biblical basis

So Sola Scriputral Does Nt Teach Sola Scriputral

The bible doesn't teach sola scriptura as your article clearly says.

Why should i follow a man made tradition made in the 16th century?

OP, what have you got to say about the claim that the oral traditions were passed from Jesus to the disciples who passed it down to later generations?

The same Olaadegbu that will adopt extra biblical event to justify falsehood is here talking about sola scriptura? The day he stop copying from too many sites and learn the word by himself, maybe he will agree with same sola scriptura. That's when we take him serious. ..

Goshen360:
The same Olaadegbu that will adopt extra biblical event to justify falsehood is here talking about sola scriptura? The day he stop copying from too many sites and learn the word by himself, maybe he will agree with same sola scriptura. That's when we take him serious. ..

this is wierd, so you wont be discussingg one of the 5 solas simply because it was presented by Ola?

Ubenedictus:


this is wierd, so you wont be discussion one of the 5 solas simply because it was presented by Ola?

That's not what I meant. I mean, even Olaadegbu himself don't stand on the authority of scriptures alone. He believes in extra biblical event to justify falsehood. Olaadegbu copies different articles he can't stand to defend when you scrutinize those articles. You know what I'm talking about but if you think I'm lying, try start a topic and see if he stays on authority of scriptures alone.

Goshen360:


That's not what I meant. I mean, even Olaadegbu himself don't stand on the authority of scriptures alone. He believes in extra biblical event to justify falsehood. Olaadegbu copies different articles he can't stand to defend when you scrutinize those articles. You know what I'm talking about but if you think I'm lying, try start a topic and see if he stays on authority of scriptures alone.

i do know what you are talking about, i was just pulling ur legs.

The Bible declares itself to be God-breathed, inerrant, and authoritative.

Where did the bible do this?

PastorAIO:



Where did the bible do this?

story, story!

@Olaadegbu
Great post, as ever!

Goshen360:
The same Olaadegbu that will adopt extra biblical event to justify falsehood is here talking about sola scriptura? The day he stop copying from too many sites and learn the word by himself, maybe he will agree with same sola scriptura. That's when we take him serious. ..

Do you have any disagreement with the post?
If the post is true , why not support it?

vest:


From What I Understd From Dis Write Up Is Dat Sola Scriptural Is Unbiblical And A Tradition Of Man

It's either you read the answer or the answer read you?

titoetal:


Dear op, I know the arguments on Sola Scriptural quite well and more than substantial teachings of the Catholic Church for those who profess Sola Scriptural. I will only make one reference from your post and if am chanced to come on some other day, I will post other answers.

The Catholics pray to Mary and according to you, it is unbiblical. Below is the prayer as it is said.
'Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen'

Now, open your bible to gospel of St Luke 1:28. That's the first part of the above prayer. Read further down from verses 29ff.
Again, Lk 1:41-43. is the second part of the prayer.
The third part of the prayer is the affirmation of the church on what the angel, Elizabeth and Mary proclaimed. Refer to Lk 1:48 and also Jn 2:1-5.

The only group I feel for are my fellow Catholics whom when asked where is it in the Scripture? They began to look left, right, front and back.
On a final note dear friend, the Catholic Church believes in the sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition.

The pronouncements in the verses above does not warrant anyone to worship Mary as the "Mother of God" It is only the Deity that we should worship and pray, Mary is not on the same level as God she died like all humans do and we are not to worship or pray to the dead. What you are doing knowingly or ignorantly is to replace the ancient pagan worship of the "goddess" known as Ishtar, Astarte or Venus with the worship of Mary known as "Mariolatry."

chukwudi44:


Yeah you are right. sola scripture is a man made protestant tradition. It was developed by the antisemitic Martin Luther and has no biblical basis

vest:


So Sola Scriputral Does Nt Teach Sola Scriputral

Ubenedictus:


The bible doesn't teach sola scriptura as your article clearly says.

Why should i follow a man made tradition made in the 16th century?

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true.

usermane:


OP, what have you got to say about the claim that the oral traditions were passed from Jesus to the disciples who passed it down to later generations?

What you call the oral tradition ended when John wrote the last book. If the tradition passed down contradicted the 66 written books of the Bible then it should be discarded.

I refer you to an excerpt from the OP:

The Word of God is the only authority for the Christian faith. Traditions are valid only when they are based on Scripture and are in full agreement with Scripture. Traditions that contradict the Bible are not of God and are not a valid aspect of the Christian faith. Sola scriptura is the only way to avoid subjectivity and keep personal opinion from taking priority over the teachings of the Bible.

Goshen360:


The same Olaadegbu that will adopt extra biblical event to justify falsehood is here talking about sola scriptura? The day he stop copying from too many sites and learn the word by himself, maybe he will agree with same sola scriptura. That's when we take him serious. ..

The only person propagating falsehood is you who teaches that Christians should no longer obey God's commandment. You need to go back to the thread about sexual immorality that you fled from and answer questions about how premarital sex is biblical.

Ubenedictus:


this is wierd, so you wont be discussingg one of the 5 solas simply because it was presented by Ola?

It is eerie that you will take the side of the Truth regardless of who is posting it.

Goshen360:


That's not what I meant. I mean, even Olaadegbu himself don't stand on the authority of scriptures alone. He believes in extra biblical event to justify falsehood. Olaadegbu copies different articles he can't stand to defend when you scrutinize those articles. You know what I'm talking about but if you think I'm lying, try start a topic and see if he stays on authority of scriptures alone.

Are you still insisting that premarital sex is extra biblical? My questions to you on that thread are still waiting for you to respond to but will you do the honourable thing?

Ubenedictus:


i do know what you are talking about, i was just pulling ur legs.

So you agree with Goshen on his stand on premarital sex? What does your tradition say about Paedophiles ministering to you as priests?

OLAADEGBU:


The only person propagating falsehood is you who teaches that Christians should no longer obey God's commandment. You need to go back to the thread about sexual immorality that you fled from and answer questions about how premarital sex is biblical.

Stop chasing me with that your dumb thread. You can't prove anything you're saying in sound doctrine. You're the one holding the traditions of men, making the word of God of no effect. I just replied you on the righteousness thread, I will respond to the fornication thread soon, I will need time to write\respond intensively. And if you chase me with that thread again, I will prove to you that, I'm not going to do it as you thought. I will do it at my own time. If you like keep saying I fled but you too, do you sleep on this forum? What makes you think others don't have nothing to do?

Sola Scriptura is when the great experience of holy fathers, accumulated through the centuries is rejected and the Holy Bible becomes the only source to believe. Sola Scriptura phenomenon arised in XVI century durint the Reformation.

PastorAIO:



Where did the bible do this?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and 1 Cor. 14:33

OLAADEGBU:


So you agree with Goshen on his stand on premarital sex? What does your tradition say about Paedophiles ministering to you as priests?

Keep quiet there. You're the very one who reject the authority of scriptures alone. The only time we see you argue is just copying one article here and there. You can't discuss no scriptures on you own. Quit this your dumb acts

Ubenedictus:


story, story!

God's Word is His Story and the earlier you learnt from His Story the better your spiritual life will be.

5solas:


@Olaadegbu

Great post, as ever!

Great username! May God richly bless you. Amen.

Goshen360:


Stop chasing me with that your dumb thread. You can't prove anything you're saying in sound doctrine. You're the one holding the traditions of men, making the word of God of no effect. I just replied you on the righteousness thread, I will respond to the fornication thread soon, I will need time to write\respond intensively. And if you chase me with that thread again, I will prove to you that, I'm not going to do it as you thought. I will do it at my own time. If you like keep saying I fled but you too, do you sleep on this forum? What makes you think others don't have nothing to do?

You actually ran away with your tail between your legs. As far as you are concerned anyone against your views on premarital sex being sexually immoral is following tradition of men. I just dey laff..hehehehehe.

Goshen360:


Stop chasing me with that your dumb thread. You can't prove anything you're saying in sound doctrine. You're the one holding the traditions of men, making the word of God of no effect. I just replied you on the righteousness thread, I will respond to the fornication thread soon, I will need time to write\respond intensively. And if you chase me with that thread again, I will prove to you that, I'm not going to do it as you thought. I will do it at my own time. If you like keep saying I fled but you too, do you sleep on this forum? What makes you think others don't have nothing to do?

You said premarital sex is not a sin. Answer the objections it takes you almost a month to come back after a lot of heckling and when you are eventually pulled out of hibernation you begin to answer irrelevant questions beating about the bush.

MGrainds:


Sola Scriptura is when the great experience of holy fathers, accumulated through the centuries is rejected and the Holy Bible becomes the only source to believe. Sola Scriptura phenomenon arised in XVI century durint the Reformation.

Are the experiences of the "holy fathers" based on the written word of God?

Goshen360:


Keep quiet there. You're the very one who reject the authority of scriptures alone. The only time we see you argue is just copying one article here and there. You can't discuss no scriptures on you own. Quit this your dumb acts

You don't have to be braggadocious, didn't you copy and paste the answer on that righteousness thread? You should have learnt by now that if you point an accusing finger at others your remaining for digits are pointing back at you.