Sola Scriptura?

[Jonathan McLatchie]

Let's open up this discussion.

Why is sola-Scripture important for Christians? How can sola-Scriptura be defended Biblically? What are the potential dangers associated with exalting church-tradition to an inappropriately high status?

What do people think?

JM

[Craig]

Tradition is a body of undefined teaching; Its mostly unwritten or man made. The contents of tradition are not available for examination or study. You can't go to a library and read them for yourself. They are not compiled in a book. This is in contrast to the Holy Scriptures, which anyone can read and examine for himself. If I claim that a particular teaching is biblical, you can verify or refute my claim by checking out the Bible.

In 2 Peter 1:16-21 Peter is fighting against false teachers. In doing so, he mentions that we have a "more sure word" to depend upon than even hearing the voice of God from heaven as they did at Jesus' transfiguration.
This “more sure word” is the written Word of God. Peter later again says to be mindful of "the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior" (2 Peter 3:2). Both the words of the holy prophets and the commandments Jesus gave to the apostles are recorded in Scripture.

Jesus, as well as His apostles, foretold that false teachers would arise, and it is apparent from some of the New Testament epistles that these apostles had to fight against false teachers early on. In Acts we find the noble Bereans of Thessalonica who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul or Silas taught them was true. They didn't go to the church for confirmation. Nor did they just blindly believe what they were told. They searched God's word because therein lies Truth. This dependence upon the Word of God, rather than following certain individual "founders" is seen again in Galatians 1:8-9, in which Paul states, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Thus, the basis for determining truth from error is not based upon even WHO it is that is teaching it, “we or an angel from heaven,” but whether it is the same gospel that they had already received – and this gospel is recorded in Scripture.

How do we determine whether a church is teaching correct doctrine or not? The only infallible standard that the Apostles said we have is the Bible.

[Hellofull]

Sola Scriptura
It would much easier for as to understand "by scriptures alone"

According to Apostle Paul this is how important the scripture is:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17 New King James Version)

It is the scriptures that are faith must be based upon.

Are the words written in the scriptures enough for man to be saved?
We can read the answer in John 20:30-31 ibid.
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

Apostle Paul also teaches:
"and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (II Timothy 3:15 ibid.)

Thus what does Apostle Paul warn us in using the Scriptures?
"Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. (I Corinthians 4:6 ibid.)