Paperback, 9781933919591, 1933919590 In the Bible, good (apostolic) Tradition is contrasted with bad traditions of men – The bottom (biblical) line is not “tradition versus no tradition,” but rather, “true apostolic tradition versus false traditions of men.” The Bible often expressly distinguishes between the 2. When Catholic apologists claim there is significantly more doctrinal agreement among Catholics than Protestants, they must mean between orthodox Catholics and all Protestants (orthodox and unorthodox) — which, of course, is not a fair comparison. Corruption didn’t wipe out the Law anymore than David’s sin wiped out the Davidic Covenant, or Paul’s or Moses’ or Peter’s sin made them incapable of writing inspired Scripture and being leaders of their people. “Moses then wrote down all the words of the Lord” (Exod. There is not a shred of evidence that any of the revelation God gave them to express was not inscripturated by them in the only books — the inspired books of the New Testament — that they left for the church. Of course, none of these are a prohibition on future revelations. It even has a fancy Latin name — “sola scriptura.” It’s time for Catholics to stop being beaten up with the Fundamentalists’ favorite question. But oral teachings of the apostles were not called “inspired” or “unbreakable” or the equivalent, unless they were recorded as Scripture. As we will see, each of the Roman Catholic arguments against the Protestant doctrine of sola Scriptura fails, and they are unable to provide any substantial basis for the Catholic dogma of an infallible oral tradition. But a certain kind of Protestant hears “extra-biblical” and immediately equates that with “fallible traditions of men that are obviously contrary to Scripture.” And yet it is this idea that is contrary to Scripture, not the notion of tradition per se. A Compelling Argument AGAINST Sola Scriptura? While the scriptures' meaning is mediated through many kinds of subordinate authority, such as the ordinary teaching offices of a denominated church, the ecumenical creeds, the councils of the catholic church, … The prolific Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong has a new book out 100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura which was published by Catholic Answers. 4:6).11 This kind of exhortation is found throughout Scripture. The Reformation principle of sola scriptura (lit. It should be noted that all Christian groups have … That is, all doctrines essential for salvation and living according to the will of God are sufficiently clear. John 10:35). So, however authoritative the apostles were by their office, only their inscripturated words are inspired and infallible (2 Tim. One, the fact that Scripture, without tradition, is said to be “God-breathed” (theopnuestos) and thus by it believers are “competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. The Classical Reformation - Part 1: Sola Scriptura, by Fr. Rather, it provides an unreliable oral tradition as opposed to an infallible written one. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Sola scriptura, often noted as the formal cause of the Reformation, the doctrine that the Scriptures are the unique, final, magisterial authority for the Christian faith and the Christian life and, in that sense, alone was crucial to the process of Luther’s Reformation breakthrough, particularly in the years 1518–21.4 When he declared at Worms that his conscience was captive to the Word of God, he was only repeating in public what he had begun to say in correspondence and what he had been implying at Leipzig in 1519. Is the Incarnation Logically Incoherent ? Romans 16:17: Take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. Confronting the Doctrine of Sola Scriptura, by Fr. Train yourself in godliness. This revelation was often first communicated orally before it was finally committed to writing (e.g., 2 Thess. It even has a fancy Latin name "sola scriptura." This leads to another important point. Isaiah was commanded by the Lord to “take a large cylinder-seal, and inscribe on it in ordinary letters” (Isa. 22:18-19). 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. It even has a fancy Latin name — “sola scriptura.” It’s time for Catholics to stop being beaten up with the Fundamentalists’ favorite question. This does not necessarily mean that everything the apostles ever taught is in the New Testament, any more than everything Jesus said is there (cf. If you are a Protestant like me, then you may have never even heard of the Orthodox church, I know I had not. This powerful new book contains just that — Biblical arguments. A Look at Virtue Signaling. See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. Indeed, John closed the last words of the Bible with the same exhortation, declaring: “I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life…” (Rev. Nor can one argue successfully that unbelievers are unable to see spiritual unity. Instead, I hope to see you soon when we can talk face to face” (3 John 13). You can buy that book here to read all 100! It is important to note that Jesus did not limit His statement to mere human traditions but applied it specifically to the traditions of the religious authorities who used their tradition to misinterpret the Scriptures. Protestants, who believe in sola Scriptura, accept genuine tradition; they simply do not believe it is infallible. Every human opinion and ecclesiastical voice must yield to whatever the Bible teaches. Of course, Jesus (Matt. 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