5 Solas: Scripture Alone (Part 1)

Sola Scriptura asserts that Scripture is our governing authority in matters of faith. The UCCF doctrine basis (similar to other Evangelical statements looking for broad agreement) says:

The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the supreme authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.

The Bible doesn’t claim to be an authority on all things. It will not help Gareth Southgate in the upcoming Euros to choose between a back 3 or 4, it didn’t help me studying fluid mechanics (although I’d strongly argue that the Bible does speak into both situations).

The context of the Solas (Soli? Latin Geeks) is the reformation. Many modern discussions about Scripture just were not relevant then. All sides agreed that the Bible was inspired and authoritative. Everyone would be happy with inerrancy. The issue though, is the Bible enough?

For the Roman Catholic (and some others) it wasn’t. It is opaque, but by itself, it cannot really be understood. It’s true for sure, but we cannot really get to it’s full meaning. For that we need a parallel authority the magisterium or tradition, equal and non-contradictory. In fact, they would argue Sola Scriptura isn’t even Biblical.

The Reformers argued that all that we need regarding the faith is in the Bible and is clear. For instance: Jesus in Mark 7, quoting Isaiah 6 shows how such traditions are used to overrule Biblical principles. Hebrews 1-3, starts “in the past God has spoken in various ways… but now by his Son”, then in 3:7 we’re told “the Holy Spirit says” then quotes Psalm 95. The pattern in Hebrews 1-3 then is, God speaks, by his Son, through the Holy Spirit, in Scripture. Ephesians 2:20, the Church is built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. We therefore do not look for fresh or ongoing revelation, what we have is God speaking in the present. This comes out powerfully in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20ff, where he prays for us who will come to believe through the Apostles’ message. This diagram may help:

We all function in these four boxes. The question is: which box is our control? Experience is fine, “come and taste that the Lord is good”, but if my experience interprets the Bible (it says x is wrong, but I’ve found it a great blessing) then I need to swap that so that the Bible interprets my experience (why do I think this sin is a blessing?). I use my reason to help me understand the Bible, but my reason needs to be subject to the Bible as it tells me my reasoning is both limited and fallen, I need revelation that will, at times, shock and surprise me.

What then of those verses where, frankly, the Roman Catholics have a good point, they are hard. Even Peter tells us some of Paul’s writings are hard. The WCF 1:7 tells us to compare Scripture with Scripture. If we all agree that there is a common author, God, we can’t have one bit contradicting another. So the Bible itself helps us understand other bits of the Bible.

So, all I need is me and my Bible, right? Wrong. See part 2 for what the Reformers did not mean by Sola Scriptura.