What Sola Scriptura Looks Like

I recently received the Post below in the Comment section of my post: "What Sola Scriptura Sounds Like." As you can see below, this Church Of Christ Commenter's Comment is an extensive list of scriptures collected together in categories. The Commenter left no reason as to why he posted such a list in the Comment section or how it applied to my tongue-in-cheek visual aid illustrating the confusion and disunity that Sola Scriptura has wrought. I can only assume that the Commenter thought that if he just posted scripture passages that would be sufficient for clear discourse. If the scriptures are sufficient and need no interpretation, why do churches have teachers and preachers? I assume the Commenter' s church has teachers and preachers. Why don't churches just have readers of the scriptures? Why do Christians write books? I wonder if anyone from Commenter's denomination has written books. Has he read any of them? Why, if all we need is the scripture, did the founder of the Church of Christ write commentaries on the scripture giving his opinion of what they mean? Why is this necessary if the scriptures speak for themselves and are self-sufficient and need no point of reference from history or church tradition? The fact is, we all listen to others opine on the meaning of the scriptures. The question is what will be the source of your influence? The 2000 year old Apostolic Church, or the 100 year old model of self-proclaimed "Reformers."

Indeed the Commenter's list is a good visual of what Sola Scriptura looks like. The more you read the more questions you have:

Anonymous said...

IV. THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE (THE TRUTH, THE WORD, THE GOSPEL,THE DOCTRINE, THE FAITH) SCRIPTURE: Paul wrote Timothy: “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.“ (2 Tim. 3:15-17). Peter wrote: “…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:20,21). Although these Verses tell us how the Old Testament came, the same principle is true concerning the New Testament. Jesus promised: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but what ever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15). THE TRUTH: Concerning truth, John wrote: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). Jesus said: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). He further stated: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). In His great intercessory prayer, Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17) Paul in describing what love does said that it “rejoices in the truth.” (I Cor. 13:6). Paul asked: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth…” Gal. 3:1). “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7). To the Thessalonians Paul wrote: “and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thess. 2:10). John wrote in 2 John 4 “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandments from the Father.” In 3 John 4, John had this to say: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” THE WORD: Regarding the Word of God Jesus said: “The seed is the Word of God.” (Luke 8:11). Jesus said: “the Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My Words, has that which judges him-the Word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). Jesus prayed “for them also which shall believe on me through their Word.” (John 17:20) In the Book of Acts “the Word” is mentioned about 38 times. On the day of Pentecost “those who gladly received his Word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41). In Acts 8 those who were baptized (Vs. 12) were reported as “received the Word of God.” (Vs. 14).” “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts. 8:4). “The Word was considered so important that the Apostles could not “leave the Word of God and serve tables.” (Vs. 2), but gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” (Vs. 4). After Cornelius and his household were baptized (Acts 10:48), Acts 11:1 states “that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.” Those at Colosse were told to “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col.3:16). Timothy was told to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15). “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2). The writer of Hebrews stated: “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12). James told the 12 tribes scattered abroad to “receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21). THE GOSPEL: Some of the last words of the Lord Jesus Christ before His ascension were: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15,16). Six times the “preaching of the gospel” is found in the Book of Acts. To the Romans Paul wrote: “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom. 1:15,16). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain.” (I Cor. 15:1,2). Paul wrote: “…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 1:7,8). THE DOCTRINE: “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this man know letters, having never studied?’ Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7:14-16). Whenever and wherever Jesus taught, people were astonished at His teaching (doctrine). (Matt. 7:28; 22:33; Mark 1:22;11:18; Lk. 4:32). Of the early converts we read: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” (Acts 2:42). Paul urged the brethren at Rome to: “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (Rom 16:17). Paul urged Timothy: “remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” (I Tim. 1:3). After Paul foretold the great apostasy he told Timothy: “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” (I Tim. 4:1-6). He urged Timothy to: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (I Tim. 4:16). Titus was told: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1). He was further told: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good words; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.” (2:7) THE FAITH: In many instances the word “faith” is preceded by “the” meaning the doctrine received, believed, and obeyed, Christian doctrine, the gospel, all that Christianity stands for: the system of religious (gospel) truth itself. Thus we read: “a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7); Elymas sought “to turn the proconsul away from the faith.” (Acts 13:8). Paul “exhorting them to continue in the faith.” (Acts 14:22); and “churches were strengthened in the faith.” (Acts 16:5). To the Romans Paul spoke of “weak in the faith.” (Rom. 14:1). He told the Corinthians: “Watch, stand fast in the faith; be brave, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) and to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (2 Cor. 13:5). To the Galatians Paul said the churches in Judea “were hearing only ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal. 1:23). To the Ephesians Paul wrote of coming “to the unity of the faith.” (Eph. 4:13). The Colossians were told to “continue in the faith.” (Col. 1:23). And to be “established in the faith.” (Col. 2:7). Paul wrote “To Timothy, a true son in the faith:” (I Tim. 1:2). He said that “the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith.” (I Tim. 4:1) Paul spoke of some who had “strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Tim. 6:10). He spoke of “men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith.” (2 Tim. 3:8). Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7). Jude in Verse 3 of his little epistle writes: “beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” What a wonderful array of References attesting to the importance of God’s Revelation to us. Is it any wonder that near the front of the Bible we read: “You shall not add to the word” nor “take from it.” (Deut. 4:2); Near the middle we find: “Do not add to His words” (Prov. 30:6); and near the end the warning “If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18,19). Jesus warned: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9). Paul admonished: “…that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written…” (I Cor. 4:6). He gave the stern warning: “But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8-9). John wrote: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9). Peter wrote: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (I Pet. 4:11). Concerning the Book John wrote, he said: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30,31). “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might Not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11) “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light To my path.” (Ps. 119:105) [Anonymous] Nathan Lee Lewis- A Sinner said...

Anonymous, I posted your lengthy list of categorized Scriptures mainly because I think it illustrates the point of my post. Sola Scriptura, The Bible Alone, void of any interpretive context within the life and history of the Church, leaves interpretation of the Scripture up to the individual or group. There is no debate that every word of the Bible is true, however who gets to say what truth is? Are the scriptures you listed self-explanatory? If so then why are there 25,000 different denominations who explain them differently? Who gets to say what these scriptures mean? You? Me? Campbell or Stone? Your Elder board? Orthodox means "right teaching" or "right glory". It is true that "No one or no other religion has anything to offer comparable to that of Jesus Christ taught in His all sufficient Word, the New Testament. (II Tim. 3:16,17)" This is fully Orthodox. There is no name under heaven and earth by which we can be saved. This is the gospel. It is the faith of our fathers, that which was handed down to us by the Apostles and preserved for us in the Church for over 2000 years. For it is the Church which is the "pillar and ground of the truth" ( 1 Timothy 3:15) and the gates of hell has never and will never prevail against it. The question is: Does what you believe about the Scriptures match what the Church/Apostles/Early Church Fathers believed about them? If not, why not? You can say the Church left the faith and got into error and now your group has it right, say something, but can you ignore the fact that the Church that the Apostles established is still here after 2000 years? It is the Orthodox Church, and its unbroken and undivided existence is historically verifiable. Regarding interpretation of scripture: My Southern Baptist Pastor father used to give an illustration of how easy it is to make the scriptures say what you want them to. If you start with a presupposition then you can come to the desired conclusion. For instance, put these two scriptures together and what do they say?: 1. "And Judas went out and hang himself." 2. "Go thou and do likewise." Here we have come up with the scriptural basis for suicide. Though the individual scriptures you listed are without error, you had to decide in what context to use them and thus you compiled them to speak a doctrinal opinion, "The Doctrine", The Faith" etc. But what if you have used a scripture in a way and in a context that the Church as a whole has never used it? Let's start where you referenced: “You shall not add to the word” nor “take from it.” (Deut. 4:2) This is reference to the Laws of Moses for a particular nation not "The Bible". The same passage says "I have taught you Laws and customs(traditions)." Does that mean the Orthodox are Right in giving great attention to that which was handed down by "letter and word? There goes the foundation of Sola Scriptura- only the scriptures. Next: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30,31). What? So, everything that is written is true, but not everything that is true is written! You see, a lot of things happened in the Church that wasn't recorded by the disciples, but they were recorded by their disciples and by the entire unified church-its called Holy Tradition and it's called the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This same church has preserved and interpreted scripture. So again, how much of what you believe about the scripture measures up with what they believed and preserved? How much of how you practice your faith matches up with how the church has always worshiped, your Scripture, Truth, Word, Gospel, Doctrine, Faith, as you have listed? What about the practical things? Why do you have the form of church government that you do? Why is the order of service the way it is? Does it really look like the Church of the Apostles? Who decided all of those things and when? It is true! “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light To my path.” (Ps. 119:105) But it is also true that the CHURCH is the pillar and foundation of that truth/word and eliminating her from the equation is to walk by a very dim light indeed.

Note To Commenter: Please forgive if I have misinterpreted your intent when you posted the list of scriptures. Void of any commentary I had to presume your intention. The fact remains that The Orthodox Church has preserved, taught, fought for, believed in, and die for the scriptures. History also shows that it was the Orthodox Church that gave you the Scriptures. If you so strongly believe in the inerrant Word of God, why can't you believe that the unified Church, who physically collected and preserved those inerrant scriptures, may have a pretty good idea how to interpret them? There was only one church for the first 1000 years! The scriptures are read and prayed word for word in the Orthodox Liturgy more than any other group on the planet and rightfully so for we are the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Come and see.