The more I carefully and closely examine Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox theologies, the more problems and outright error I find. These theologies were 100% man made. Reformed theology alone is derived directly and solely from Scripture. The Roman Catholics and Orthodox are the blind leading the blind, tossing and drifting alone on the sea by every wave of error. They have nothing to anchor them. Thank God for Sola Scriptura!
We can learn a great lesson by examining the sad cases of Roman Catholic and Orthodox theologies. They have elevated man made philosophies, doctrines, and so-called traditions to the same level of authority as Scripture. This is a diabolical and fatal error. Scripture alone is the inerrant and infallible Word of God. It alone carries the supreme gravitas and authority. It has the authority structure which is preeminent. It is not only the highest of all possible authorities, but it’s also the final authority. If tradition, even what Roman Catholics and Orthodox call so-called Sacred Tradition, is in conflict with Scripture, the former must be jettisoned and quickly abandoned. But that is not what these sacramental and institutional churches do. They love their man made doctrines and traditions which they will defend more robustly than even Scripture! This is sickening. As an adherent of Sola Scriptura it pains me greatly to see this Satanic deception at work. Sola Scriptura (and the other 4 Solas) alone acts as a protective mechanism; a bulwark against error creeping into out doctrine. Once that firm anchor is abandoned any type of blasphemous and heretical doctrine can be accepted.
You may be wondering about magisteriums of the various churches. A magisterium is the teaching authority of the church. The Roman Catholic magisterium is comprised of the various pronouncements of the popes, the results of councils, and the teaching of the bishops. In Roman Catholic theology their magisterium is both infallible as well as equal in authority with Scripture. Clearly it is wrong on both these points. There is no such thing as an infallible magisterium. It is simply a man made figment of the imagination. The arrogance to put a fallible magisterium made up of the opinions of man on equal authority with Scripture is a great blasphemy. The Orthodox church’s magisterium is comprised of the various writings of their saints, the results of ecumenical councils, and the traditions which they believe have been passed down from the Apostles. The Reformed church, which I belong to, also has a magisterium. It consists of doctrine which comes directly from Scripture, the teachings of various learned Reformed theologians, the results of the first 6 ecumenical councils, and the various creeds and confessions. However it should be noted that, unlike the Roman Catholic and Orthodox magisteriums, our Reformed magisterium is strictly guided by the principle of Sola Scriptura. We would never elevate the opinion of a magisterium to the same level of authority of Scripture.
Let’s look at the Arian controversy. In the early 4th century, a terrible debate ensued between which Christological model was correct. Was Jesus 100% divine, or was He merely human. This controversy raged for decades. The debate began between two learned men: Arius (who asserted Christ was not divine) and a great scholar and holy man Athanasius of Alexandria. At the time Alexandria was the foremost center of learning and housed the Great Library which was later sadly destroyed. Athanasius boldly and eloquently defended Christ’s divinity. It was said that at one point over 90% of the Church’s bishops were Arian and Athanasius was fighting against the general consensus of the whole Christian world. Why didn’t he give up? How was he so sure Christ was really divine as well as human? It was the anchor of Sola Scriptura which allowed Athanasius to boldly defend Christ’s divinity!! He knew that God’s Word was 100% true and infallible and that it alone had supreme authority, not Arius’ opinion. With indefatigable assurance Arius defended Christ’s divinity. Finally, in 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea was convened to settle the controversy. The council condemned Arius as a heretic and issued a creed to safeguard orthodox Christian belief. This was a great victory for Sola Scriptura!
By the way, a few days ago, I made a post on my timeline on Facebook saying that basically the more I study Catholic and Orthodox doctrine, the more I find it to be erroneous. This should not have come as a shocking statement, nor did it warrant the level of anger I saw in the comments. It’s perfectly natural for a Protestant to find Orthodox and Catholic doctrine to be false. And it’s likewise perfectly natural for a Catholic or Orthodox to find Protestant doctrine to be erroneous. I see it day in day out in this group very strong criticisms of the Protestant faith, and numerous assertions as to the erroneous nature of Protestant theology. Some group members accused me of being cold hearted and a bigot for simply stating my position on doctrine. I did not state my position in a nasty or hateful way, nor was it obnoxious as one lady asserted. I just stated it in a matter of fact way. Once again, sadly, I see the double standard at work which I’ve written about before. Catholics and Orthodox cry foul when you mirror their criticism of the Protestant faith back at them. Really this is quite shameful. Some people need to examine their own hearts and repent for so viciously and callously condemning me and insulting me personally.
My treatment is no great matter. Christ suffered infinitely more for my wicked and heinous sins. So if I have to suffer for defending the authority of Scripture and the truth it is a small price to pay.
This latest incident only adds support and confirms my earlier suspicions that the Roman Catholics and Orthodox actually have very thin skin. In other words, they can dish it out (the continual criticisms and attacks upon Reformed theology), but they can’t take it. When criticism and critical examination occurs on their theologies they became instantly hyper-defensive, reactionary, react in a uncharitable way by screaming personal insults, hurling ad hominems, and failing to deal with the criticisms. They will respond to strawmen which they erect and then tear down. In all my years of debating and discussing theology online I’ve only seen 3 Catholic gentlemen who didn’t respond with rancor or anger to challenges to Catholic theology.
Such is the supreme and critical importance of the principle of Sola Scriptura in the life of a church, that I can confidently assert that any church which is without this foundational principle is defective and dysfunctional.
All of this only confirms in my mind the absolute truth which I follow thanks to the Holy Spirit leading me, excellent Reformed theologians and teachers who I’ve learned so much from, committed Reformed pastors and elders who have fed me good manna, and the anchor of Sola Scriptura and the other 5 Solas! May you open my detractors eyes and hearts Lord, grant them repentance and sincere belief in the Gospel. Let them experience the New Birth and be born again to eternal life in Christ! Amen!
For your edification here is an outstanding video by the late and dearly missed Dr. R.C. Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries) explaining Reformed theology. In this video he discusses Sola Scriptura.
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