Sola Scriptura

I've been thinking about this topic for a while. Over the years I've been on the internet, I've seen many comments pertaining to the idea of "Sola Scriptura". On the one side there are the people who hold to it with full resolve. I stand with these. On the other side are people who say it doesn't exist. These are the two basic types of belief when it comes down to it.

I believe that Sola Scriptura is a Biblical principle. I believe it is one that Christians should stand upon. I also believe that those who think it doesn't exist, don't really know what it's about.

So, here is my attempt to explain it.

"Sola Scriptura, after all, does not require the exclusion of all extrabiblical data, even from theology. It simply requires that in theology and in all other disciplines, the highest authority, the supreme standard, be Scripture and Scripture alone." - "Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction" - John M. Frame

Scripture alone is the counsel of God.

Nothing can be presented on the same level as Scripture. It is what we fall back on with our theology. It is what we turn to in order to be certain that our beliefs and practices are righteous. It is our standard for the way we live, and the way we think.

Scripture is God's message to us. It reveals much about His character. It shows us His plan, from the beginning of creation up until the final Day when Christ will return.

There are many things we know from Scripture about God that we wouldn't know otherwise.

Scripture reveals itself to be God's word, breathed through men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is infallible, inerrant, and unchanging. They bear the mark of God, and He is Truth. (Note here that I am not going to get into the questions of how and why it is infallible, etc. These are truths that I hold to be fundamental. I have written my reasons for believing them before. I do not think it necessary to reiterate.)

Sola Scriptura means that all other authoritative teaching, etc., must be drawn under the scope of God's word. Everything we are taught about God and ourselves must be checked and re-checked against Scripture.

Sola Scriptura means that Scripture has a primacy over all else. It takes precedence over all other revelation. All other revelation must be weighed against Scripture.

"We should look at everything with the spectacles of Scripture." - Calvin

NB: Arguing points from Scripture does not nullify the idea of Sola Scriptura.

Some have made this argument before: that because we are imperfect beings with preconceived notions about everything, we cannot know what Scripture is actually saying.

Poppycock.

I can argue with someone, for instance, about the holiness of God. I can bring up points about God's holiness and claim that Scripture undeniably calls God a holy God. My argument from Scripture is not the same as Scripture; but it does not nullify the idea of Sola Scriptura. We can expound on ideas in the Bible without removing its sole authoritative state. We are capable of knowing the truth about God's word, and applying it. Our knowledge and application are not infallible, but that does not mean that Scripture isn't. If we interpret something incorrectly, it is our job to continue to search the Scriptures to double check our beliefs.

Our interpretations of the infallible word of God are not themselves infallible. But that doesn't mean they are completely fallible. We can know truth. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, and enables us to be taught of the true things of God.

God gives us understanding (2 Timothy 2:7).

1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."

We may have fallible minds that are bent and crooked because of our preconceived notions, but Jesus is able and willing to overcome our prejudices and give us understanding of the Truth. Praise be to Him, both now and forevermore!

NB: Our interpretations of Scripture must sometimes be corrected; but the correction must come FROM SCRIPTURE.

Scripture itself corrects our mistaken interpretations. We have no higher standard with which to test our beliefs, no rule that is greater in its authority. We cannot trust our own opinions, or even the opinions of "great" and "wise" men and women.

If we do not have a final standard for all our thought and beliefs, our lives will be endless circles of redundancy. We will believe what we believe because we believe it, and for no other reason. There has to be truth. There has to be a final word.

Scripture alone is just that.