Sola Scriptura
The Only Option?

In our earlier segments, we found that the direct, authoritative teaching office which God had supplied for His people in times past no longer exists today. So, by default, sola scriptura wins the day. But this is a singularly inappropriate way to determine the propriety of having believers determine the truth of any doctrine. Likewise, it says nothing directly about the sufficiency of the doctrines in the Bible. Is there enough there to provide our needs? We need to proceed from a victory by default, which is no victory at all, to the victory of conviction and salvation, all within the message preserved in Holy Writ.

As we have noted before, the issue of sola scriptura is whether or not the Bible is sufficient for salvation, not whether is contains every possible doctrine. We can deal with that idea immediately.

9 Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor.
10 But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear.
11 It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.
12 In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now. 1 Cor 13:9-12 (TLB)

No matter what we think we may know, our knowledge is a very poor imitation of the reality of God. Our finite minds are simply incapable of conceiving the truths of the infinite. We should carefully note that Paul includes himself in "we". Even the apostles are severely limited by mortality. Exhaustive knowledge of God will have to wait until we see Him in person.

The question then moves to the other end of the knowledge spectrum. How much knowledge is required for salvation? A few texts will give us a guide.

1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Ps 19:1-3 (KJV)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Rom 1:18-20

The reality of God has been clear to all people from "the creation of the world". All anyone has to do is to look around at nature. The wisdom and glory of God can be seen in every part of nature, so that whether you have a Bible or not, you are "without excuse". The same applies to anyone else, regardless of where or when they live(d). The logical conclusion is that, for someone without the scriptures, salvation is still possible. Therefore, the Bible is not even necessary for salvation! The gospel of nature is enough. At this point, we are able to reject any arguments against sola scriptura which are based on the impossibility of universal publication of Bibles and universal literacy.

39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!"
43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43

All the thief on the cross needed to know was that Jesus was the Son of God. Nothing else was required for Jesus to declare that he would be saved. The Philippian jailer gives us our next example.

31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household."
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. Acts 16:31-32

Paul makes it clear that the only theology required for salvation is belief in Jesus. The jailer learned about the Savior from the apostle that night and he was baptized. What is this essential belief? Jesus is our substitutionary sacrifice, who paid our debt for us. This is the core of the gospel.

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Heb 9:11-12

If no other knowledge is available, either by virtue of time (deathbed conversion), of lack of access to further information (illiteracy, remote location, etc.), then nothing else will be required. But this is not the situation for most of us. We begin with an understanding that Jesus is the Savior. Then we have a task before us.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV)

God requires that we study and learn about Him. He wishes us to be "perfect".

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4

It is this process of perfection which requires our study and prayers. Paul frequently likens it to a growing child.

11 It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things. 1 Cor 13:11 (TLB)

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, Eph 4:14-15

He also compares it to growing in strength.

1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Rom 14:1-3

While a complete discussion of this concept is beyond the scope of our current study, we may rest firmly in the fact that while we begin as spiritual children, God's intent is to make us into mature adults.

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. Eph 4:11-13

Jesus showed the same understanding of His disciples as Paul did of new converts.

12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. John 16:12

But Jesus also pointed out that the time would come when they would be ready.

13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

26 "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 said to you. John 14:26

The Holy Spirit would teach them "all truth". At this point we must step aside momentarily to revisit part of what we reviewed in the last segment of this essay. Both the RCC and LDS claims rest on guidance by the "Holy Spirit". These texts would allow either claim to be valid. But, as we found in the previous study, both claims are without merit because both churches teach doctrines contrary to the Bible. Therefore, we must conclude that the intent of the statement is that each person will receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit as he studies if he rests his faith squarely on Jesus.

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13

There remain only a few loose ends to tie up. First, we must consider whether the Bible tells us if it is sufficient. The two texts above (John 16:13 and John 14:26) state that the Holy Spirit will teach "all truth". This is an inclusive statement. Nothing will be left out. This is a formal statement that we will be taught everything we need. It is not, however, a formal statement that it is all written down!

14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;
15 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. 2 Tim 3:14-15

27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Acts 20:27

Once again we see the straightforward statement that the OT ("sacred writings") are sufficient to give faith in Jesus. Since we know that faith in Jesus is all that is essential for salvation, we now know that the Bible (in Paul's voice) formally states that it is sufficient in doctrine for salvation. We may now properly conclude that Paul is telling us that everything required has been committed to scripture, and that nothing else is needed but the commitment of the individual to Jesus Christ, who will send the Holy Spirit to aid in further understanding.

Our final key to victory is that we must "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1). This requires that the individual Christian be the arbiter of doctrine, not an "infallible" teaching authority. The only reliable, authoritative standard for the individual to use is the Bible. It would be nice to conclude here, but the advocates of the magisterium have a few objections which need to dispatched.

15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Pet 3:15-16

30 And when Philip had run up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31 And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31

The objection raised with these texts is that the Bible is too difficult to understand. Indeed, that seems to be exactly what the Ethiopian eunuch is saying. Unfortunately for the magisterium crowd, that's not what is going on. The first text is a caution against rash interpretive adventures. The scriptures must be approached carefully. Not all things will be clear instantly. In fact, as modern scholarship has so well shown, the depths of the word are beyond exposure. Every time it seems that all meaning has been extracted from some passage, another scholar exposes another angle which shows the beauty of God in a new way. As 1 Cor 13:9-12 says so beautifully, we will never graduate from the University of the Word on this earth.

The passage about the eunuch is another illustration of the depths of the scriptures. He is simply saying, "I don't understand this. Help me out." The form he uses is an exaggerated one, typical of the time and place. It does not mean that it is impossible to know without a teacher, but rather that he had not learned enough yet to understand it without help. He was a "babe in the truth." Far from proving the RCC and LDS point, this story shows how anyone can gain understanding.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?"
35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. Acts 8:34-35

The eunuch was missing some vital information, and as soon as he received it, he accepted Christ and was baptized.

38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:38

The scriptures truly interpret themselves.

20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Pet 1:20-21

This does not mean that we should assume that all interpretations will come easily. As we have shown, each Christian's understanding is progressive. Since the same Holy Spirit that directed the writing of scripture dwells in each Christian, no Christian has any reason to expect that understanding of any truth is beyond him. In fact, he should expect that "all truth" will eventually be revealed to him. He should also expect to exercise careful judgment.

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Pet 2:1

The RCC and LDS are "false teachers," since they abandon the teachings of scripture for the "traditions of men" (Mark 7:7-9).

Summary

The Bible consists of a series of books written by men inspired of God. They were recognized as containing the authority of God, and were preserved as the canon. The OT was settled centuries before Christ, and was confirmed by Christ during His ministry. The NT canon was collected for the same reason. Books recognized as containing the authority of God were collected, and the canon was largely settled by the mid-second century. Minor disputes continued for another 200 years, until all questions were resolved. This process was one of consensus among many bodies of Christians. No church council determined either the OT or NT canon. It exists because the writings are authoritative, and the Holy Spirit directed Christians to recognize that authority.

The Bible began as verbal and visual revelations to servants of God who then recorded the revelations. Some were recorded in part, others in full. Only the Ten Commandments and the handwriting on the wall were given as written revelations by God. Throughout the Bible, various items of tradition were used in an illustrative (homiletic) fashion. Tradition was never used as a means of creating doctrine.

The RCC and LDS churches both claim to have an infallible magisterium or teaching office. The RCC bases its claim on apostolic succession. The LDS claim is based on progressive revelation. On careful examination, both claims have been shown to be fraudulent, since both bodies teach doctrines contrary to the plain teaching of the Bible (click here to review RCC theology). Therefore, no magisterium exists on earth today. It is possible for such an office to exist, but it must be tested to be in conformity with the Bible.

Finally, we have shown that the Bible does in fact state unequivocally that it contains all the doctrines necessary for salvation. No, it doesn't state it in an explicit form satisfying to the critics, but it does state it. The scriptures are sufficient to give us faith for salvation (2 Pet 1:20-21) and require us individually to test each teacher to see if he is from God (1 John 4:1). This excludes the idea that Christians must submit to any authority on earth other than God himself. We must examine each teacher according to the only infallible standard we have, the BIBLE, then accept only those in full conformity with the scriptures (Acts 17:11).

It is our responsibility to be good servants and students. Until a true apostle of God is verified, we have only the Bible as our standard, and even after the Apostle is accepted, we must still rely on the Bible. It remains the only way to guard against falling away from the truth.

 

Mike Schieffler's essay on Sola Scriptura (includes links to other essays)