Sola Scriptura
Evangelical Protestants believe that Scripture
alone is the infallible rule of faith. Does the Bible make this claim
for itself?
Both Christ and the apostles viewed Scripture,
and Scripture alone, as the unerring word of God. That Jesus held Scripture
in the highest regard is evident from statements such as these: "The
Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35); "Not the smallest letter,
not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the
law until everything has been accomplished" (Matt. 5:18); "It is easier
for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen
to drop out of the Law" (Luke 16:17); "Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will never pass away" (Matt. 24:35). Jesus even asserted
that greatness in heaven will be measured by obedience to Scripture
(Matt. 5:19).
When he disputed with the Pharisees on their
view of tradition, Jesus proclaimed, "Thus you nullify the word of God
by your tradition..." (Mark 7:13). Scripture therefore determines whether
tradition is acceptable. When Jesus was tested by the Sadducees concerning
the resurrection, He retorted, "You are in error because you do not
know the Scriptures" (Matt. 22:29). When confronted with the devil's
temptations, He responded three times with the phrase, "It is written"
(Matt. 4:4-10). Clearly, Jesus accepted Scripture as the supreme authority
and subjected Himself to it (Luke 24:44). And, as followers of Christ,
our view of Scripture cannot be inferior to His.
Scripture derives none of its authority from
the church; its authority is inherent because it is the very Word of
the living God: "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16).
Does the Bible teach Sola Scriptura? Yes!
God speaks to us authoritatively only through the objective Word of
God. It is for this very reason that I constantly exhort Christians
not only to get into the Word, but to begin to receive the blessing
of getting the Word into them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
We recommend Roman Catholics and
Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences by Norman L. Geisler and Ralph
E. MacKenzie (B196/$25) This resources are available through CRI's online
bookstore by clicking on the title or by calling our Resource Center
at (888)7000-CRI or by mailing a check or money order to PO Box 7000,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-7000.
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