Why Not Scripture Alone?

Hello my dear reader,

I was helping facilitate an RCIA (that’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) class the other day and our topic of discussion for this particular class was “The Bible”. Now, I could go on and on all day on varying aspects of this extremely broad topic, but we discussed something in particular that seems to be a stumbling block for many people (especially Protestants), and that is… the doctrine of Sola Scriptura or “Scripture Alone”.

Sola Scriptura, meaning “scripture alone”, is a bedrock belief in the majority of Protestant churches and denominations which resulted from the Protestant Reformation. I frequently receive questions from Protestants who simply do not understand why Catholics have “so many man-made traditions” that we follow… Ironically, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss this Protestant tradition of sola scriptura and to touch on why Catholic traditions are based on apostolic teachings…

The reason I want to do this, is because I was a victim of a couple of verses that are commonly misinterpreted and was pulled away from The Church. I hope that by writing this article I can prevent someone else from falling into that same trap..

I do not like to waste time so… Everyone have their seatbelt on? Good… “Let’s Go!”

What I discovered to be the most ironic thing about this Protestant doctrine is that the Bible itself cannot stand on this doctrine of “scripture alone”. Nowhere does The Bible say anything or give any hint of any notion about which letters or books are supposed to be included within it (and no, the table of contents doesn’t count)… In the view of this doctrine, in order for it to have any merit, it must be found within scripture itself and alas, nowhere does sacred scripture claim to be the sole and sufficient rule of faith for Christians.

This doctrine of Sola Scriptura fails to stand up to the written words of Sacred Scripture…

So, at this point you may be asking yourself… “Wasn’t the only teaching that was passed on from the apostles passed on via their written letters?” Let’s see what The Bible has to say:

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Hmmm… Nope…

“‘…the word of the Lord abides for ever.’ That word is the good news which was preached to you.”

1 Peter 1:25

Not in that one either!

I believe the above mentioned verses make it very clear, from Sacred Scripture itself, that sola scriptura was not a method utilized for teaching to the earliest Christians. Whats more is that Sacred Scripture itself proves that the apostles did NOT subscribe to the notion of sola scriptura but also relied on their teachings being received by word of mouth, what we call “Sacred Tradition”.

The Catechism of The Catholic Church paragraph 80 sums up the relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture really well…

‘”Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing and move towards the same goal. Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own “always, to the close of the age.”‘

CCC 80

When I saw these verses below for the first time, it finally “clicked” for me that sacred tradition is, in fact, scriptural…

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15

“I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.”

1 Corinthians 11:2

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.'”

Mark 16:15

“Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand…”

1 Corinthians 15:1

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6

“…and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

2 Timothy 2:2

As you can see, the apostles and authors of sacred scripture wrote about traditions that they had passed on to churches by word of mouth. However, there is a verse which has Jesus speaking AGAINST tradition… I am, of course, referring to what is probably the most popular verse in my experience, that is used to “refute” the Catholic viewpoint on Sacred Tradition… and that is Mark 7:8. However, what we must do is put this verse in its proper context… Unfortunately this verse was one that was used to lure me away from The Church years ago when I became a Protestant for several years prior to my return to The Church. This is what Jesus says…

“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition”

Mark 7:8

However, when we take a closer look at this verse, Jesus is referring to the traditions that the Pharisees have created and added to the Mosaic Law. You see, we have to read the entire story in order to gain a better perspective on what Jesus was actually saying (Mark 7: 1-23)… Specifically, Jesus is referring to the fact that Mosaic Law commanded them to “honor your father and your mother” and the Pharisees made an unwritten “rule” that they added to the law to the effect that if someone, instead of giving their wealth to take care of their parents wished to give to the Temple, that was acceptable. However, what Jesus says is that by giving to the Temple, that does not release or exempt children from their obligation to honor their parents through financial support.

This verse says NOTHING about scripture alone being the sole foundation of faith and neither does it say anything about Jesus speaking against the traditions that his Apostles have handed down to their followers and which The Catholic Church has protected for two millennia…

Finally, the other verse that was used to lure me away from The Catholic Church years ago was 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2. I am not going to type out the entire verse, but rather I will simply give as quick of an explanation as I can regarding the true meaning of this passage because contrary to what I was taught years ago, this passage of scripture does NOT support the doctrine of sola scriptura in any way shape or form…

In verses 14 – 15, Paul says that Timothy should continue in what he’s learned since childhood… He speaks of “sacred writings” which, if Timothy is an adult (I think it’s safe to say he is), Paul is therefore referring to what we know as the “Old Testament”. This makes sense because the “New Testament” won’t be compiled and officially recognized as part of the Bible for another several centuries at the time this was written…

In verses 16 – 17, Paul holds up Scripture (the Old Testament) as the prominent guide for leading a moral life. He nowhere claims that Scripture gives us comprehensive detailed instructions in all matters of Christian doctrine or worship.

Finally, in verses 4:1 – 2, Paul writes to Timothy and charges him with preaching the word… If Paul had really meant in the preceding verses that we were to rely solely on scripture as our means of instruction and guidance in the faith, would he not have encouraged Timothy to write the word of God rather than preach it?

One last thought to consider… The author of this letter, Paul… If we read other letters of his, he CLEARLY supports and teaches the authority of apostolic tradition and sees the Church as built on a foundation of Christ and the Apostles (See 1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20, 1 Tim 3:15).

It is important for us to remember that Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are equally important when it comes to our salvation as Christians. One cannot stand without the other and neither can stand without The Church established by Christ.

So… In answering the question that I chose to use in titling this article, “Why Not Scripture Alone?” Because The Bible tells us so…

It took too long for me to realize these things, but once I read the scriptures that I’ve discussed in this article and decided to work out my faith with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), the Holy Spirit began to help me realize where God was leading me and my family… to His Church… The Catholic Church…

May God Bless you…

Until Next Time, Your Humble Servant in Christ,

William