Sola Scriptura: Defined and Defended – A Study in Authority Structures

Background

Sola Scriptura, Latin for Scripture Alone, is part of the 5 Solas of the Protestant Reformation. They are a cornerstone of Reformed theology. Sola Scriptura simply means that Scripture is our highest authority in matters of faith and morals. As this statement implies, there are other lesser authorities, but they are always subordinate to Scripture. Sola Scriptura is thus the final and sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. Stated another way, Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.

This does not mean that Scriptures are the only authority (nuda or solo Scriptura), as Protestants believe in the authority of tradition, reason, experience, and emotions to varying degrees (after all, “sola scriptura” itself is an authoritative tradition in Protestantism). It does mean that Scripture trumps all other authorities (it is the norma normans sed non normata Lat. “norm that norms which is not normed”).

The Problem

I frequently see Orthodox and Roman Catholic apologists proclaim that Sola Scriptura is false because Scripture doesn’t explicitly teach it. This is not so.

Preeminent Authority of Scripture

By its very nature, as the very Word of God (God-breathed literally), its status of preeminence in our life of faith is both self-evident and axiomatic! What could possibly hold higher authority than the Word of God?! It’s horrible and blasphemous to see Orthodox and Roman Catholics assert that other things such as fallible man made traditions or a Magisterium is on the same level as Scripture.

All Scripture is God-breathed (θεόπνευστος – theopneustos) and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Christ Himself articulates a nascent version of Sola Scriptura:

“Scripture cannot be broken“

John 10:35

Here, as in other instances, Jesus gives full authority to the Bible as inspired of God, to the very words here but sometimes even the very letters and even to the smallest letter (Matthew 5:18). Because Jesus put His own stamp of approval on the concept that the Bible is inspired of the Holy Spirit and therefore without error, one who attacks the written Word must also attack the veracity of Jesus as the incarnate Word. If Jesus is right, then the Bible also is right.

Every Prophecy of the Bible, John F. Walvoord

All Authorities Aren’t Equal

For us Reformed and Evangelical Christians Scripture holds a special place of preeminence and is unique in its authority.

But the other major non-Protestant churches have differing levels of authority.

The Roman Catholic church has tradition and its Magisterium (the teaching authority) on EQUAL level with the authority of Scripture.

The Orthodox church has tradition on EQUAL level with Scripture.

It should be clear that both of these churches have serious doctrinal problems (outright false doctrines) because of their authority structures.

Roman Catholic church

With Catholics, they distort and upend the clear teaching of Scripture on numerous doctrines as they favor the ruling of the Magisterium (consensus opinion of bishops, Early Church Fathers (ECF) teachings, papal pronouncements, etc.) or tradition OVER Scripture. They symbolize their authority structure as a 3 legged stool with all legs being of equal length and at equal distance apart. But in practice the fallible teachings of men (tradition and Magisterium) take a place of preeminence in biblical interpretation in Catholic theology. So God’s Word is relegated to a secondary authority. This is both tragic and blasphemous heresy, it is simply untenable, and we as Protestants are duty bound to challenge these heresies.

Here is a meme with a quote by Roman Catholic Dr. Peter Kreeft. It sums up well the Catholic view.

This sentiment is absolute rubbish! The Roman Catholic church wants you to think that they alone have the authority to interpret the scriptures, so you won’t engage your mind, and will be helpless and dependent on them to spoon feed you what to believe! This is Satanic!

Orthodox church

The Orthodox church does a bit better in that they don’t rely on a Magisterium like Catholics. However they do give undo emphasis on tradition and the teachings of various saints it has proclaimed. They have the teachings of the Early Church Fathers as EQUAL to Scripture so they too have a 3 legged stool of tradition, ECF, and Scripture. In practice, like with the Catholics, the Orthodox place the fallible and easily corrupt traditions of men over the authority of Scripture.

Infallibility

Another topic related to authority which I must mention is infallibility in the Roman Catholic church. The Roman church believes its Magisterium is infallible (cannot teach error), and also, that under certain conditions when the Pope issues a declaration or theological statement it is also infallible.

The problem is that there is nothing in all of Scripture which promises or teaches an infallible interpreter, whether as a body or an individual. I believe if one is honestly studying Scripture and is born again the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. Most evangelical churches have a remarkable level of agreement on doctrine. In the non-essentials there is robust debate, sometimes fierce, but we must recognize the process of biblical interpretation is subjective. This is due to our human limitations of the mind. We aren’t archangels that have perfect knowledge of Scripture. Our epistemology (system of knowledge) will be incomplete until we reach Heaven.

The Gospel

Due to the problematic authority structures in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, the gospel at times can be obfuscated or even corrupted.

As an illustration, let’s look at Catholic theology. It asserts that if a Catholic doesn’t believe in the Marian dogma, they are damned. Disbelieving church dogma puts one in a state of mortal sin. And it’s Catholic teaching that if one dies in such a state they go to Hell. Take someone who God has revealed that the Marian dogma are unbiblical and thus false. If they refuse to change their mind and attend confession, then they will be in a persistent spiritual state of mortal sin and will thus be damned.

Dogma in the Roman Catholic church

Further, according to Roman Catholic church teaching, a Catholic who fails to believe in ANY dogma of the church is damned as I mentioned above.

The dogmas of the faith

88 The Church’s Magisterium exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is, when it proposes, in a form obliging the Christian people to an irrevocable adherence of faith, truths contained in divine Revelation or also when it proposes, in a definitive way, truths having a necessary connection with these.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Can. 749 §1. By virtue of his office, the Supreme Pontiff possesses infallibility in teaching when as the supreme pastor and teacher of all the Christian faithful, who strengthens his brothers and sisters in the faith, he proclaims by definitive act that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held.

§2. The college of bishops also possesses infallibility in teaching when the bishops gathered together in an ecumenical council exercise the magisterium as teachers and judges of faith and morals who declare for the universal Church that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held definitively; or when dispersed throughout the world but preserving the bond of communion among themselves and with the successor of Peter and teaching authentically together with the Roman Pontiff matters of faith or morals, they agree that a particular proposition is to be held definitively.

§3. No doctrine is understood as defined infallibly unless this is manifestly evident.

Can. 750 §1. A person must believe with divine and Catholic faith all those things contained in the word of God, written or handed on, that is, in the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church or by its ordinary and universal magisterium which is manifested by the common adherence of the Christian faithful under the leadership of the sacred magisterium; therefore all are bound to avoid any doctrines whatsoever contrary to them.

§2. Each and every thing which is proposed definitively by the magisterium of the Church concerning the doctrine of faith and morals, that is, each and every thing which is required to safeguard reverently and to expound faithfully the same deposit of faith, is also to be firmly embraced and retained; therefore, one who rejects those propositions which are to be held definitively is opposed to the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Can. 751 Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Code of Canon Law

The Preeminence of Scripture

The Inspiration of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 – Every jot, tittle, chapter, verse, every book is God-breathed. It has come out of the mouth of God. It was not the authors who were inspired, but the Scripture that was inspired. The authors were the instruments in the hands of God who would record what God wanted them to write, using their own temperaments and vocabulary and background and experience.

Matthew 4:4 – Every word of Scripture comes out of the mouth of God. It is as though divine revelation in the Bible has come down from God above.

Hebrews 4:12 – It is living and active. This book is alive! This book has the life of God within it because it is the very breath of God. It is inspired by God.

John 6:63 – The words I am speaking to you are spirit and are life.

The Inerrancy of Scripture

Because the Bible is God-breathed, it is the Word of God. And because God is holy, God cannot lie. God is truth and so every word of God is true.

Titus 1:2 – God cannot lie. Are there some things God cannot do? Yes. God cannot sin, cannot deny Himself, cannot lie.

Hebrews 6:18 – It is impossible for God to lie.

John 17:17 –  Your word is Truth

Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God is tested

And so we uphold, with the Puritans, the very inerrancy of the Word of God. Let God be found true, and every man a liar.

The Infallibility of Scripture

All that is recorded in Scripture must come to pass. The word of the Lord cannot fail.

Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word endures forever.

Matthew 5:18 – Until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law until all is accomplished.

John 10:35 – The Scripture cannot be broken

The Authority of Scripture

Because the word of God is inspired, infallible, inerrant, it comes with the authority of God Himself. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. And when God speaks, He speaks with sovereign authority in His Word.

Psalm 19:7 – The law of the lord is perfect. These are not the suggestions, options, or considerations of the Lord. This is the law of the Lord, and it its binding upon every man’s conscience.

Psalm 19:8 – The commandment of the Lord is pure. It is the very commandment of God to every man and every woman.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 – This we say to you by the Word of the Lord.

The Perspicuity of the Scripture

The Word of God is clear, understandable, a lucid revelation.

Matthew 22:31 – Have you not read? Do you have two eyeballs? Do you have two brain cells that are connected between your ears? Can you not process the clear revelation in the Word of God?

Matthew 19:4 – Have you not read?

Sola Scriptura in the Early Church

In the Early Church heresies arose, the truth needed to be defended and error challenged and exposed. How did Early Church leaders do this?

Was doctrine correct and thus worth defending because of a previous church council, oral tradition, or an edict from the bishop of Rome (the Pope)? No they defended the truth on the basis of Scripture!

In the 4th century, Gregory of Nyssa, a Cappadocian Father, was one of the few Early Church leaders who defended the Trinitarian position that Christ was fully divine, as well as fully man. The Arians disputed this and thus they became so popular that Arians soon were the dominant majority position. But Athanasius of Alexandria and Gregory of Nyssa and others challenged the Arians. What authority did they appeal to? Was it tradition? Was it a Magisterium? No, they appealed to the Scriptures.

Gregory understood that Scripture is a higher authority than tradition. He appealed to the Word of God as the final arbiter in the debate over Arianism.

Let us look at a letter Gregory wrote to Eustathius. You will see he makes his appeal to Scripture explicit. The Arians claimed that their tradition didn’t allow for the Trinitarian position. Gregory responded with the following:

What then is our reply? We do not think that it is right to make their prevailing custom the law and rule of sound doctrine. For if custom is to avail for proof of soundness, we too, surely, may advance our prevailing custom; and if they reject this, we are surely not bound to follow theirs. Let the inspired Scripture, then, be our umpire, and the vote of truth will surely be given to those whose dogmas are found to agree with the Divine words.

Dogmatic Treatises, Book 12. On the Trinity, To Eustathius.

Here we see a vivid and clear illustration of the principle of Sola Scriptura, over 1,200 years before the Protestant Reformation! Gregory was one of many Early Church Fathers who believed in Sola Scriptura. It was not invented in the 16th century.

Many other examples could be cited, but here is a small sampling from eight Church Fathers who shared Gregory’s perspective on the authority of Scripture as expressed in the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

1. Irenaeus of Lyons (d. 202)

We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith. (Against Heresies, 3.1.1)

2. Tertullian of Carthage (c. 160–235) [in defending the truth of the Trinity against the heretic Praxeas:]

It will be your duty, however, to adduce your proofs out of the Scriptures as plainly as we do, when we prove that He made His Word a Son to Himself. . . . All the Scriptures attest the clear existence of, and distinction in (the Persons of) the Trinity, and indeed furnish us with our Rule of faith. (Against Praxeas, 11)

3. Hippolytus (d. 235)

There is, brethren, one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scriptures, and from no other source. For just as a man if he wishes to be skilled in the wisdom of this world will find himself unable to get at it in any other way than by mastering the dogmas of philosophers, so all of us who wish to practice piety will be unable to learn its practice from any quarter than the oracles of God. Whatever things then the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look; and whatsoever things they teach these let us learn. (Against Heresies, 9)

4. Dionysius of Alexandria (ca. 265):

We did not evade objections, but we endeavored as far as possible to hold to and confirm the things which lay before us, and if the reason given satisfied us, we were not ashamed to change our opinions and agree with others; but on the contrary, conscientiously and sincerely, and with hearts laid open before God, we accepted whatever was established by the proofs and teachings of the Holy Scriptures. (Cited from Eusebius, Church History, 7.24.7–9)

5. Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) [After outlining the books of the Bible, Athanasius wrote:]

These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.’ (Festal Letter 39, 6–7)

6. Cyril of Jerusalem (315–386) [After defending the doctrine of the Holy Spirit]:

We ought not to deliver even the most casual remark without the Holy Scriptures: nor be drawn aside by mere probabilities and the artifices of argument. Do not then believe me because I tell thee these things, unless thou receive from the Holy Scriptures the proof of what is set forth: for this salvation, which is of our faith, is not by ingenious reasonings, but by proof from the Holy Scriptures…Let us then speak nothing concerning the Holy Ghost but what is written; and if anything be not written, let us not busy ourselves about it. The Holy Ghost Himself spoke the Scriptures; He has also spoken concerning Himself as much as He pleased, or as much as we could receive. Be those things therefore spoken, which He has said; for whatsoever He has not said, we dare not say. (Catechetical Lectures, 4.17ff)

7. John Chrysostom (344–407)

Let us not therefore carry about the notions of the many, but examine into the facts. For how is it not absurd that in respect to money, indeed, we do not trust to others, but refer this to figures and calculation; but in calculating upon facts we are lightly drawn aside by the notions of others; and that too, though we possess an exact balance, and square and rule for all things, the declaration of the divine laws? Wherefore I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things; and having learnt what are the true riches, let us pursue after them that we may obtain also the eternal good things; which may we all obtain, through the grace and love towards men of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom, to the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, might, and honor, now and ever, and world without end. Amen.” (Homily on 2 Corinthians, 13.4)

8. Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

Whereas, therefore, in every question, which relates to life and conduct, not only teaching, but exhortation also is necessary; in order that by teaching we may know what is to be done, and by exhortation may be incited not to think it irksome to do what we already know is to be done; what more can I teach you, than what we read in the Apostle? For holy Scripture establishes a rule to our teaching, that we dare not “be wiser than we ought;” but be wise, as he himself says, “unto soberness, according as unto each God hath allotted the measure of faith.” Be it not therefore for me to teach you any other thing, save to expound to you the words of the Teacher, and to treat of them as the Lord shall have given to me. (The Good of Widowhood, 2)

Augustine (again):

For the reasonings of any men whatsoever, even though they be [true Christians], and of high reputation, are not to be treated by us in the same way as the canonical Scriptures are treated. We are at liberty, without doing any violence to the respect which these men deserve, to condemn and reject anything in their writings, if perchance we shall find that they have entertained opinions differing from that which others or we ourselves have, by the divine help, discovered to be the truth. I deal thus with the writings of others, and I wish my intelligent readers to deal thus with mine. (Augustine, Letters, 148.15)

Thus we see clearly that the doctrine of Sola Scriptura was upheld by Christian leaders long before the Reformation.

Sola Scriptura and the Puritans

The Puritans zealously defended and operated on the basis of Sola Scriptura.

While Roman Catholics deemphasized Scripture alone as the highest authority, the Puritans held that Scripture alone is the highest authority because it is the Word of God. The Puritans firmly believed that we cannot trust our hearts, our wills, or our own minds above Scripture. So if we don’t understand a certain passage or find a seeming paradox in the Word, they concluded the problem is with our minds, not with the Bible. Some Protestants subconsciously trusted the mind over the Word. But the Puritans were very careful to make Scripture the all-sufficient source for Christian life and worship.

https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/puritan-sola-scriptura-and-conversion

Here is a fantastic talk by Steve Lawson on “The Puritan Commitment to Sola Scriptura” from the Strange Fire Conference.

16th Century Reformed Confessions

Here is Sola Scriptura defined in several Reformed confessions.

The Theses of Berne (1528): The Church of Christ makes no laws or commandments without God’s Word. Hence all human traditions, which are called ecclesiastical commandments, are binding upon us only in so far as they are based on and commanded by God’s Word (Sec. II).

The Geneva Confession (1536): First we affirm that we desire to follow Scripture alone as a rule of faith and religion, without mixing with it any other things which might be devised by the opinion of men apart from the Word of God, and without wishing to accept for our spiritual government any other doctrine than what is conveyed to us by the same Word without addition or diminution, according to the command of our Lord (Sec. I).

The French Confession of Faith (1559): We believe that the Word contained in these books has proceeded from God, and receives its authority from him alone, and not from men. And inasmuch as it is the rule of all truth, containing all that is necessary for the service of God and for our salvation, it is not lawful for men, nor even for angels, to add to it, to take away from it, or to change it. Whence it follows that no authority, whether of antiquity, or custom, or numbers, or human wisdom, or judgments, or proclamations, or edicts, or decrees, or councils, or visions, or miracles, should be opposed to these Holy Scriptures, but on the contrary, all things should be examined, regulated, and reformed according to them (Art. V).

The Belgic Confession (1561): We receive all these books, and these only, as holy and confirmation of our faith; believing, without any doubt, all things contained in them, not so much because the church receives and approves them as such, but more especially because the Holy Ghost witnessed in our hearts that they are from God, whereof they carry the evidence in themselves (Art. V). Therefore we reject with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule (Art. VII).

Second Helvetic Confession (1566): Therefore, we do not admit any other judge than Christ himself, who proclaims by the Holy Scriptures what is true, what is false, what is to be followed, or what is to be avoided (Chap. II).

Apostolic Succession Examined

The power to bind and loose, as well as the power to forgive sins were given by Christ directly to the Apostles. It was used to authenticate them during the Apostolic era. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox doctrine of apostolic succession, whereby a bishop lays hands on a priest and passes on these powers is utterly false. There is absolutely nothing in the New Testament which even hints that Christ intended for these powers to be passed on perpetually or that such a thing were even possible. Thus we can see that the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches lack proper authority. By refusing to make Scripture their ultimate and infallible authority (Sola Scriptura) they are like a boat adrift in the ocean without a sail.

Conclusion

We have seen what Sola Scriptura means and why it’s so vitally important, especially as a bulwark against error. We’ve also examined the various authority structures in the different churches. And we’ve seen that the doctrine of Sola Scriptura is a very old doctrine which was defined in the New Testament and prevalent in the Early Church. Now we have a duty to uphold and defend Sola Scriptura just as generations before us have done. This principle is supremely important in protecting the Gospel, guiding our interpretation of Scripture, and defending against error. Let us forever uphold the supremacy of Scripture!