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Post by Soulfyre on Jan 24, 2005 3:28:27 GMT -5
One of the five Solas of the Reformers, Sola Scriptura is also often the least understood. All of us vaguely ascribe this to the idea that Holy Scripture is our sole authority when it comes to faith and practice. But is Sola Scriptura to some extent an impossible statement? The canon of scripture was formalized by the church, and its interpretation has been formed by years if tradition. Could we truly claim to understand Holy Scripture apart from this context? How do the authority of the Holy Scripture and the authority of the church interweave? Or do they? What do you think? God bless and keep you always, Matthew (soulfyre)
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Post by rgrove on Jan 24, 2005 12:59:33 GMT -5
I find it always helps to discuss first what Sola Scriptura is and what it isn't. There is a tremendous amount of misunderstanding on what it means in both Protestant and non-Protestant camps. Perhaps it will help to see what some of the confessions that resulted from the Reformation say on the issue. I'll put the most relevant sections to this discussion in bold print. I also edited out the list of books of the old and new testaments so as to save space. Links are given to sites that have the entire original content. I know this may add a little length to the post, but I personally consider this very important. Very few people nowadays ever read the original expressions of Sola Scriptura. That's unfortunate because then you get lots of wild ideas about what it is that seriously confuses the issue. I will start with one of the shortest which is the Anglican 39 Articles of Religion. I left the article about the creeds because it's important to see how important the reformers considered them, even though they didn't raise them to the level of "infallible" as Rome has (as well as Eastern Orthodoxy with respect to the first Seven Ecumenical Councils). 39 Articles of Religion (1562)anglicansonline.org/basics/thirty-nine_articles.htmlArticle VI - Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church. (list of canon of scripture would be here) Article VII - Of the Old Testament The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore there are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral. Article VIII - Of the Three Creeds The Three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius’s Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.
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Post by rgrove on Jan 24, 2005 13:05:55 GMT -5
Notice how the Formula of Concord is so consistent with the Anglican Articles of Religion concerning scripture and the place of creeds and confessions. Lutheran Book of Concord (1577)www.bookofconcord.org/fc-ep.htmlEpitome of the Formula of Concord of the Articles in Controversy1. We believe, teach, and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with [all] teachers should be estimated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone, as it is written Ps. 119, 105: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. And St. Paul: Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed, Gal. 1, 8.
Other writings, however, of ancient or modern teachers, whatever name they bear, must not be regarded as equal to the Holy Scriptures, but all of them together be subjected to them, and should not be received otherwise or further than as witnesses, [which are to show] in what manner after the time of the apostles, and at what places, this [pure] doctrine of the prophets and apostles was preserved.2. And because directly after the times of the apostles, and even while they were still living, false teachers and heretics arose, and symbols, i. e., brief, succinct [categorical] confessions, were composed against them in the early Church, which were regarded as the unanimous, universal Christian faith and confession of the orthodox and true Church, namely, the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, we pledge ourselves to them, and hereby reject all heresies and dogmas which, contrary to them, have been introduced into the Church of God. 3. As to the schisms in matters of faith, however, which have occurred in our time, we regard as the unanimous consensus and declaration of our Christian faith and confession, especially against the Papacy and its false worship, idolatry, superstition, and against other sects, as the symbol of our time, the First, Unaltered Augsburg Confession, delivered to the Emperor Charles V at Augsburg in the year 1530, in the great Diet, together with its Apology, and the Articles composed at Smalcald in the year 1537, and subscribed at that time by the chief theologians. And because such matters concern also the laity and the salvation of their souls, we also confess the Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Luther, as they are included in Luther's works, as the Bible of the laity, wherein everything is comprised which is treated at greater length in Holy Scripture, and is necessary for a Christian man to know for his salvation. To this direction, as above announced, all doctrines are to be conformed, and what is, contrary thereto is to be rejected and condemned, as opposed to the unanimous declaration of our faith. In this way the distinction between the Holy Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament and all other writings is preserved, and the Holy Scriptures alone remain the only judge, rule, and standard, according to which, as the only test-stone, all dogmas shall and must be discerned and judged, as to whether they are good or evil, right or wrong. But the other symbols and writings cited are not judges, as are the Holy Scriptures, but only a testimony and declaration of the faith, as to how at any time the Holy Scriptures have been understood and explained in the articles in controversy in the Church of God by those then living, and how the opposite dogma was rejected and condemned [by what arguments the dogmas conflicting with the Holy Scripture were rejected and condemned].
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Post by rgrove on Jan 24, 2005 13:13:38 GMT -5
I have not put all of the sections of the first chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith below. Just the most pertinent parts to this discussion, but all of the statements in Chapter one are important. Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)www.pcanet.org/general/cof_chapi-v.htm#chapiCHAP. I. - Of the Holy Scripture. 1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.(2Tim. 3:15-17; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Eph. 2:20; Rom. 1:19-21, 2:14,15; Psalm 19:1-3; Heb. 1:1; Prov. 22:19-21; Rom. 15:4; 2 Pet. 1:19,20) 4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.(2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9) 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; Gal. 1:8,9; John 6:45; 1 Cor. 2:9-12; 1 Cor. 11:13, 14; 1 Cor. 14:26,40) 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.(2 Pet. 3:16; Ps. 19:7; Psalm 119:130) 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.( 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16) 10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.
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Post by rgrove on Jan 24, 2005 19:33:49 GMT -5
I just saw a post on another board by a protestant that illustrates why I posted the previous definitive Reformation statements on Sola Scriptura. I hope they don't scare anyone off from discussing this topic. Just read the first one from the 39 Articles if you like. But the protestant declared that a church that was suggested to him to try denied sola scriptura. When asked why he would say such a thing he responded that their worship services were unbiblical. This is a blatant misunderstanding of the concept of Sola Scriptura by a protestant. The church was PCA for crying out loud. Sola Scriptura is defined in the first section of their confession! Sola Scriptura is not equal to some extreme expressions of the regulative principle. I would say the very heart of Sola Scriptura would be expressed most concisely in Article VI of the 39 Articles of Religion: Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.It does not mean that a church that has a basketball court has rejected Sola Scriptura! In case of confusion, please read the manual... The passage "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)" is sufficiently clear that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand, lay hold of Christ in faith, and be saved. There is more, but this is the essence of the matter before us. The other half of it is fairly clear as well. I think the Formula of Concord words it well: Other writings, however, of ancient or modern teachers, whatever name they bear, must not be regarded as equal to the Holy Scriptures, but all of them together be subjected to them, and should not be received otherwise or further than as witnesses, [which are to show] in what manner after the time of the apostles, and at what places, this [pure] doctrine of the prophets and apostles was preserved.This has a major practical implication for us in our Christian walk as we read the Bible as well. I think this very practical point is expressed well in the WCF: The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.Creeds, confession, councils, etc are not "infallible rules of interpretation of scripture". The only "infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself". This, obviously, is where Orthodoxy and Protestantism would run aground. It's a given with Rome. But it bears repeating, having a basketball court at your church does not mean you've abandoned Sola Scriptura! In Christ, Ron
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Post by Soulfyre on Jan 24, 2005 19:47:33 GMT -5
No, a church having a basketball court usually just means the church has abandoned its senses in favor of its census. Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm working on a real reply to your excellent response, rgrove. God bless you always, Matthew (soulfyre)
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Post by rgrove on Jan 25, 2005 11:20:43 GMT -5
No, a church having a basketball court usually just means the church has abandoned its senses in favor of its census. Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm working on a real reply to your excellent response, rgrove. That was real enough. I love it! I work for a company that does Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living/Home Health Care so we hear the clamor over census every day around here. So census jokes are right down my alley.
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Post by melinky on Jan 25, 2005 13:36:48 GMT -5
Finally! A doctrine I can aggree with you guys on.
;D ;D ;D
Melinda
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