Sola Scriptura, What Defense?

Hello saints,

I am been studying reformed theology, although neither a Calvinist nor Arminian at the time being (though I fear it may be some grosteque hybrid abomination at the moment) I am currently going through the five biblical points, and agree upon them. But thats not what I am here to talk about. That was simply an intro being my first post and all.

Over the years, I have found that the best way to prepare for apologetics, is to go to other apologetics sites for different "faiths" shall we say... and have the mindset to test everything with the Word of God, as we highly hold onto the sufficiency in the scriptures.

Here is what I found about the Catholic view of both reformed theology and Sola-Scriptura. This purpose is to refutation of a refutation if you will... I "stumbled" upon two sites of attention:
I apologize for leaving out the complete link as I am not allowed to post links yet... the hyper text part

catholicoutlook.com/soladialog1.php?logo=dialogues

A dialogue supposedly between a Protestant and Catholic; being a catholic site, presumably they thought the Catholic side more convincing


catholicity.elcore.net/BibleOnlyVersesNot.html
Yet here is another that refutes Sola-Scriptura

I am qutie concerned about this and am asking for insight regarding the fallacies of these arguments.


By Faith alone. By Grace Alone. In Christ alone.

-----
MORMON PERSPECTIVE

Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt declared:

“If true, (the Book of Mormon) is one of the most important messages ever sent from God to man. If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions who sincerely receive it as the Word of God, and will suppose themselves built upon the rock of truth, until they are plunged, with their families, into hopeless despair.”

Please! It is extremely important for LDS members to test the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The consequences for you and your family are eternal.

“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32

Yep...evil =/ for the latter day saints, its the latter...

Mmm, the doctrine of sola Scriptura has been very well developed by previous theologians. Things become complicated when you throw apologetics into the mix, though. When you are performing apologetics, the Scriptures are your first principle, it is the greatest of your axioms. In that capacity, it is unproven and unprovable. You cannot prove your starting point because it is where you start. For instance, no one can prove the laws of logic are "true," they are simply assumed to be true because without them, we cannot make sense of anything at all. The same is said of the Scriptures.

So, sola Scriptura doesn't really apply in apologetics, as your opponent will not logically be able to get to the point where you have to justify this doctrine.

If you are looking to engage someone in a theological debate on the doctrine of sola Scriptura, then your arguments must be proven from the Scripture. There are many logical proofs for the inerrant and sole rule of faith of Scripture that I could provide, but they are almost always inadequate for those people that would challenge you on this doctrine. If they question the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible, then they are hardly rational enough to assent to the logical proofs of the doctrine.

I would recommend that you read B.B. Warfield's treatise on Scripture and Inspiration. Calvin and Edwards also entreat this subject majestically and gracefully, but I think Warfield is the quintessential source on the subject—not to mention that he masterfully extends Calvin's doctrine of the Holy Spirit and inspiration in his first volume on Calvin and Calvinism.

You might also look into Luther on this subject, although, I admit to my own chagrin that I am unfamiliar with his works regarding sola Scriptura.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon