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For part 2 of this series on authority, here is a rebuttal of the previous essay from a Sola Scriptura Protestant/Evangelical perspective.

Introduction

The Catholic Church has always relied on various sources to develop its teachings, including Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium. However, as a Sola Scriptura Protestant, I believe that the Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. This essay will explore the reasons why Sola Scriptura is a more appropriate perspective for understanding Church teachings.

Scripture Alone

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and it alone is sufficient for faith and practice. The Bible claims that it is sufficient for all believers, and nothing should be added to it or taken away from it, as stated in Revelation 22:18-19:

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of 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 of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which is described in this book.”

This verse in Revelation clearly states that Scripture alone is sufficient and that nothing should be added or subtracted from it.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, urging him to hold fast to the Scriptures, as they were sufficient for all matters. In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Paul writes:

“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

In this passage, Paul affirms that the Scriptures are sufficient for the believer to be equipped for every good work. He mentions nothing of the need for an additional source of authority.

Sacred Tradition

The Catholic Church believes that its teachings have been preserved through sacred tradition, which has been passed down from generation to generation. However, many of these traditions have no basis in Scripture and are human inventions. In Mark 7:6-9, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for placing their traditions above God’s commands:

“And he said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.’ And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!'”

Jesus makes it clear that when traditions conflict with God’s word, they must be disregarded. Many Catholic traditions seem to conflict with Scripture and serve as a hindrance to the gospel’s spread rather than as a means of facilitating it.

Magisterium

The Magisterium is the authoritative teaching body of the Catholic Church, composed of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. It serves to safeguard and transmit the faith throughout the ages. However, the Magisterium’s authority is limited to its role as a helper, not a source of authority.

In John 14:26, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples and said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as the Helper who would guide His followers, not a group of human leaders. In 1 John 2:27, John affirms this when he writes, “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

The Holy Spirit is alive and active in believers today and is not limited to a select group of human teachers. Christians have the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and do not need a Magisterium.

Interplay between Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium

The previous essay argues that Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium work together to develop Church teaching. However, from a Sola Scriptura perspective, these three sources of authority are not equal. Scripture is the final authority, and sacred tradition and the Magisterium must be subject to it.

The Bible is the ultimate and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. Sacred tradition and the Magisterium should be evaluated and accepted or rejected based on their fidelity to Scripture.

Importance of Sola Scriptura in Church Teaching

The importance of Sola Scriptura in Church teaching is rooted in its adherence to the sufficiency of Scripture. All church doctrines must find their basis in Scripture, as the Bible contains all that is necessary to know for salvation and practice.

Sola Scriptura is essential in upholding the gospel’s purity, and it is critical in discerning which teachings are true and which are false. The history of the church has shown many instances of errors that have arisen from basing teachings on extra-biblical sources.

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura helps to prevent these errors by maintaining that everything the church teaches must be based on the Bible, as it is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura affirms that the Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. While the Catholic Church may rely on various sources, including sacred tradition and the Magisterium, these must be subject to Scripture. In adhering to Sola Scriptura, the church safeguards the purity of the gospel and ensures that all teachings find their basis in the Bible, which contains all that is necessary for salvation and practice.