Sola Scriptura

[theseed]

This is one of five threads that I wish to start. I would like to solicit arguments defending the doctrine of sola scriptura for this thread. I will start the other threads later, unless someone else does. I figure that it would be easy to do one thread at a time.

You can post links to articles, or write out your argument--long or short.
_______________________________________________________________________

My first argument comes from Acts 2.42

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Where do we find the teachings of the Aposltes? In The Holy Bible. Some groups believe that Scripture itself is a tradition. And rightly so they could call it tradition, but the fact would remain that it is supreme because it is the orginal. It would be the tradition (teachings) that all Christians should look to. Because all men are corrupt (Rom. 3.1-23), they must examine themselves to see if they are aligned with Scripture.

But what about Apostlic authority? Is there any evidence that it was to be passed down? It is true that the Apostles had been given authority by Jesus Christ, however, there is no Scriptural evidence that I have seen that allows for such authority to be passed down. On the contrary, the Apostle Paul describes himself as a mere man, and writes that God will test every man's work (1 Cor. 3).

 

[BBAS 64]

Good Day, All

2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

2Ti 3:9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

2Ti 3:10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

2Ti 3:11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

2Ti 3:13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2Ti 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Paul here warns his "son" in the faith to be carefull of a lot of unGodly things and types of people, and Paul knows his time is short. What does Paul tell Timothy to rely on "that which is God Breathed" he does not point Timothy to another person, apostle, some traditions, things that Timothy may have heard. But the Scripture for all things that are nessary.

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[Bulldog]

Hello seed,

The following is from a post I made in the teen forum a couple weks ago in a discusian with some Roman Catholics.


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Of course, the most commonly used, and most controversial verse in support of sola scriptura comes from Paul's epistle to the young Bishop Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:15-17



and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NASB)


​

Many Roman Catholic apologists point out that Paul is refering to the Old Testament since Timothy coud not have had the New Testament was not yet written at the time of Timothy's childhood. While, Paul is primarily referring to the Old Testament, even at first glance at the Catholic argument, the question arises, Why not apply it to all scripture? If timothy had lived to the time of the distribuation/canonization of scripture, would he not accept it on the basis of what Paul had taught him?

These problems can be answered with the simple answer that Paul is referring to the origin of scripture, not the extent of it. Paul is simply saying that what God breathes is enough tomake the man of God, the one fully equiiped for good deeds. Paul makes the claim that scripture is breathed by God, profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for salvation, for good deds, that it is adequate, something that is never claimed of extra-Biblical tradition.

There are two very imortant Greek words to identify here artios, the word translated as adeqaute, and theopneustos, thw word translated as "inspired by God". Strong's tells us that artios literally means "fitted; complete, perfect". Theopneustos literally means "God breathed" (coming out of the mouth of God), for a long page onthe meaning of that word see here by B.B Warfield.

Perhaps the second (or first) most used verse and controversial verse comes from the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 15:

Matthew 15:1-14



Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus (2) from Jerusalem and said,
"Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they (3) do not wash their hands when they eat bread." And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? "For God said, '(4) HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' "But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"
After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, "Hear and understand. "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit."


​

Here we see Jesus condemning a tradition of the Pharisees- the Corban rule. the Corban rule can be described as a primitive trust, where men could put their money in the synagouge, and yet still have access to it. When their parents were getting sick and they needed money, the Pharisees would just tell them that they (the Pharisees) could not give it to them because it was given to God. (while still having acces to it themselves)

Modern Roman Catholic apologists will use the argument that in this verse that Jesus is condemning the traditions of men, not apostolic or traditions from God. However, there are problems with this:

• The Pharisees belived there traditions were from God, not themselves
• The Pharisees believed that they had been passed down- even from Moses!

Jesus then points the Phraisees to the scriptures. This is the clearst expression in the bible of the the sola scripturaist belief that scriptrue judges tradition.

A not well used, but interesting verse comes from Matthew 22 where Jesus answers the Sadducees. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead as the Pharisees did. So they brought up an objection to the doctrine to Jesus. Jesus answers by saying:

Matthew 22:31-32



"But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." [emphasis mine]


​

What's interesting about this are the words "read" and "spoken". Normally, I would associate reading with writing (reading-writing) and speaking with hearing (speaking-hearing), but Jesus uses spoken and read. This means that Jesus is saying that God speaks to us through written scripture!

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God Bless

 

[5solas]

You can post links to articles, or write out your argument--long or short.

I would like to recommend a book:

Source:
http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/scaljawh.html



Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity

A denial of the sufficiency of Scripture is at the core of almost every form of opposition to the Christian faith today. Scripture Alone is written to instill a passionate love for and understanding of the Bible. In this defense of God’s inspired Word, readers will comprehend what "God’s Word" is, the nature of Scripture, the relationship of the Bible to tradition, how to apply Scripture to today’s issues, and much more. Included is a faith-inspiring study of the canon — what it is and where it came from


One of the foremost Reformed apologists of our generation sets forth and defends the Protestant doctrine od Sola Scriptura. A definitive study.
The Discerning Reader

God bless you all!

 

[Follower of Christ]

great thread

 

[calgal]

I would like to recommend a book:

Source:
http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/scaljawh.html



Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity

A denial of the sufficiency of Scripture is at the core of almost every form of opposition to the Christian faith today. Scripture Alone is written to instill a passionate love for and understanding of the Bible. In this defense of God’s inspired Word, readers will comprehend what "God’s Word" is, the nature of Scripture, the relationship of the Bible to tradition, how to apply Scripture to today’s issues, and much more. Included is a faith-inspiring study of the canon — what it is and where it came from


One of the foremost Reformed apologists of our generation sets forth and defends the Protestant doctrine od Sola Scriptura. A definitive study.
The Discerning Reader

God bless you all!

I just bought that and second the recommendation! Awesome read!

 

[rmwilliamsll]

likewise:
The Shape of Sola Scriptura
by Keith A. Mathison

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-9859407-0963825?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

ought to be required reading for the topic.

btw amazon states that
Scripture Alone: Exploring The Bible's Accuracy, Authority, And Authenticity
by James R. White

is available by preorder.
has someone been able to read it already?????

how?

 

[Bulldog]

I just bought that and second the recommendation! Awesome read!

I preordered and will get a hand-signed copy (if it's ever delivered )

 

[calgal]

likewise:
The Shape of Sola Scriptura
by Keith A. Mathison

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1885767749/qid=1096767038/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-9859407-0963825?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

ought to be required reading for the topic.

btw amazon states that
Scripture Alone: Exploring The Bible's Accuracy, Authority, And Authenticity
by James R. White

is available by preorder.
has someone been able to read it already?????

how?

My local reformed book store had a copy and it looked interesting. It was an October special (I love a discount)

 

[5solas]

likewise:
btw amazon states that
Scripture Alone: Exploring The Bible's Accuracy, Authority, And Authenticity
by James R. White

is available by preorder.
has someone been able to read it already?????

how?

Have a look here

https://aomin.org/bookstore/shop.html?shop=books

(James White's homepage!)

 

[theseed]

Summarizing Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology.

To add to God's word you must have permission, mostly only prophets and Apostles have had such authority. Although there are some NT books no written by Apostles, the people who wrote them worked closely with the Apostles (Mark/Peter; Luke/Paul/; John/unknown).

Deuteronomy 4.2 (NASB)
2"(A)You shall not add to the word which (B)I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deut. 12.32 (NASB)
32"(A)You shall not add to the word which (B)I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

1) Prophets have been given special permission to add to God's word

1 Samual 10.25 (NIV)
25 Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD . Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home.

1 Chron. 29 (NIV)
29 As for the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer,

2 Chronicles 20 (NIV)
34 The other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.

1 Kings 16 (NIV)
7 Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the LORD , provoking him to anger by the things he did, and becoming like the house of Jeroboam-and also because he destroyed it

2 Chron. 26 (NIV)
22 The other events of Uzziah's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.


Jeremiah 30 (NIV)
2 "This is what the LORD , the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.

And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;

1 Maccabees
4:45 They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
4:46 And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.

(9:27 So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them.
14:41 Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;

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Notice here that there were no phrophets during the deutroncanonical era [apocryphal] beginning at about 435 BC. John the Baptist was the next prophet. Josephus wrote that there had been no prophets (Against Apion 1.41).

Also, it is not good enough to simply say you are a phrophet, every prophecy should be tested (Deut. 18.22; Jer. 28.9; Ezek. 33.33; Zech. 13.3; Acts 3.23; 1 Thess. 5.20-22).

The Apostle Paul defends his office, and says he will give the Corinthians proof (2 Cor. 13.3). There are other verses as well (Rom. 2.16; Gal. 1.8-9; 1 Thess. 2.13; 4.8, 15; 5.27; 2 Thess. 3.6, 14). The Apostle Peter, who was leader of the Apostles, also declared Paul's writings to be Scripture (2 Peter 3.15-16).

So, we have a known set of Scriptures by which to test other books, Luke, Mark, Hebrews, Acts, James and Jude.

The church (born again Christians) has always had the abiblity to recognize which books are God inspired, but never able to create its own Scripture.

Therefore, if a writing (not grocery lists) can be shown to have apostolic authority, then it should automatically be accepted. As mentenioned previously, Luke and Mark worked with the Apostles. Lastly, some books are self-attesting. That Christ sheep can hear his voice (John 10.27), and know whether it is in line with what God has said and would say.

So, the book of Mormon must be rejected because it contradicts Scripture, and does not hold up to any archelogical evidence. He fails when it is tested for proof. Joseph Smith never provided any proof that I am aware of, as the Apostles and Prophets did for all to see.