A) INTRODUCTION.

B) BEWARE OF THE ATTACK.

C) COMMENTATORS.

D) WHAT SOLA SCRIPTURA IS.

E) THE CANON.

F) SHIFTING DEFINITION.

G) THE BIBLE ALONE.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

The literal translation of this Latin phrase is, “Scripture Alone.”  Or, some have it as, “By Scripture Alone.”  As opposed to what later came to be known as “Nuda Scriptura.”  Meaning, “Nothing But Scripture.”  However, when determining Biblical truth, should one only use the Bible?  Or, should one determine Biblical truth “By the Scriptures Alone?”

 

Although the Bible can be simple for one to understand It; It is not simplistic.  What do I mean by that?  Because of false teachings, concepts, theories, and whatever else one has been taught or brought up to believe, most people rely on someone else to interpret the Word of God for them; instead of confirming what they have been known to believe to be true by opening the Bible for themselves to see “whether those things were so.”  Acts 17:11.

 

 

B) BEWARE OF THE ATTACK

 

 

The common tactic of a critic is to tell you what you believe and then assert how preposterous that belief is.  What is then hoped is that you then begin to question that with which you believe.

 

This tactic will not work if you are grounded into the truth of what you believe by your previous confirmation of the subject being attacked that you confirmed using “Sola Scriptura.”  Or, if something is brought up that you cannot answer simply to the objection or misinformation brought up, this presents a good opportunity to learn from “Sola Scriptura,” and not from the attacker’s perspective.

 

By contrast, the better point is to know what you believe, why you believe it, and be able to defend it by saying, “I heard what you are saying.  But that is not what I believe.  If you are interested, I would like to express what I actually believe and show you the evidence via Sola Scripture.”  This will let you know if they are really interested in learning themselves what you believe; or better, why, from Scripture, you believe whatever it is that you believe.  If not, and they still just want an argument, or are set in their position, it is time to agree to disagree.

 

Bottom line, don’t let people tell you what you believe without you being able to have a two-way conversation on what each person believes and how they came to that conclusion.  Make sure each is using the Bible correctly.

 

 

C) COMMENTATORS

 

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with someone’s opinion when they can prove it via the use of going to the Scriptures for their position.  The problem comes about when a few Scriptures seem to go against what the majority of Scriptures already confirm.  This is called, “False Doctrine.”

 

 

D) WHAT SOLA SCRIPTURA IS

 

 

“Sola Scriptura” is NOT “Scripture Alone.” (1) It does not mean we only listen to Scripture. (2) It does not mean that all other sources are invalid. (3) And finally, it does not mean that the Bible is the only source of authority for the Christian.

 

1 & 2) Whatever helps you to better understand God’s Word is a valid use of tools, as long as it is verified via the Bible.  See Acts 17:11.

 

3) It does mean that there are many authorities that speak into the dynamics, purpose of, contextual breakdown of, the original meaning of what is stated in the Scriptures.  It does mean that Scripture is the final judge of all claims to be the final authority.  It does mean that the Bible is the only test of authority.

 

Many voices speak with authority and show the common sense of Scripture.  These are not the only source of authority.  By contrast, the Bible is the only TEST of authority.  Scripture is the Judge, the standard, the only rule, the only measure of, the TEST by which what is being brought forth is valid.  Thus, the Scriptures are the only infallible ultimate authority by which truth is determined.

 

 

E) THE CANON

 

 

A common phrase used for the structure of the Scriptures is that they are the “Canon.”  This term “Canon” literally means, “Measuring Stick.”

 

Any voice that claims to be an authority on a particular subject or passage of the Scriptures, must bow down to the ultimate authority, the Scriptures Themselves.  They are the “Measuring Stick” by which truth is determined.

 

 

F) SHIFTING DEFINITION

 

 

The critic will start off with knowing that other sources can be valuable in determining what the Bible actually means in a particular passage or phrase.  But then, when confronted with the truth of what it dees mean, and not to be convinced otherwise, they will revert back to only use the Scriptures Themselves.  In other words, their false understanding of the text.

 

Should you use an authority upon a particular passage, and it makes complete sense, but it goes against their concept or wishes that their Scriptures teach, then you are the one who is heretical.  Don’t then fall for their misinterpretation of the Scriptures in order not to be called a name (Heretic; Cult).

 

 

G) THE BIBLE ALONE

 

 

We should not get the idea that only the Bible is how God speaks to us.  According to Psalm 19:1, God speaks to us through NATURE.  “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  See also Romans 1:19-20; for “they are without excuse.”  These verses take away the supposed justification that not all men have a chance to know Who God is.

 

An example would be arguing against abortion in a court of law or on the street.  Non-religious people will not accept the Biblical definition of when life begins.  But by real and truthful science, one can show that DNA is formed at conception.

 

God speaks to us through the health message (DIET).  See Leviticus, Chapter 11, and Deuteronomy, Chapter 14, and so many other passages we could site in both the Old and New testaments.

 

An example would be the extra lifespan of those who conform to the Biblical diet.  And even more stunning, to revelations that confirm the vegetarian lifestyle.  Which was the original Biblical diet.

 

Ones CONSCIENCE can be our authority.  However, only when it is the Holy Spirit speaking to that person.  MORALITY only works when tested against the Holy Scriptures.

 

Ones TIME, as specified in Exodus 20:8-11.  God designed mankind’s body for six days of work and one day of rest (Mark 2:27).  When people over-work (seven days a week), health issues tend to appear.  When people are lazy, health issues tend to appear.  People are blessed by SLEEP (Psa. 3:5 & 127:2 & Ecc. 5:12).

 

Thus, all of the above still must be tested against “Sola Scriptura.”