WHAT IS THE APPROACH OF THE “INDEPENDENT” CHURCHES TOWARDS THE BIBLE?

Unprecedented and peculiar.

In continuation of the previous theme concerning the Scripture, we would like to examine the approach of the Independent/Non-Denominational Churches towards the Bible.

Living in the United States, we often witness many Churches that declare to be “Bible Based” and/or “Fundamental Bible Churches”. In other words, they accept the Bible as the sole source of their doctrine and Christian faith. The principal phrase of the above-mentioned Churches is Latin, saying “Sola Scriptura” (by Scripture alone). In our time, this slogan is rarely used and is not very familiar to many Christians; however, it is the pedestal of almost all Churches that came forward after the Reformation. In fact, the slogan “Sola Scriptura” is the first phrase of the so-called five “Solas” which are: 1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), 2. Sola Gratia (Grace alone), 3. Sola Fide (Faith alone), 4. Solus Christus (Christ alone), 5.Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)

WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SLOGAN “SOLA SCRIPTURA” (BY SCRIPTURE ALONE)?

The atypical interpretation of the Christian doctrine by the radical wing of the Reformation can be traced back to the 16^th century.

First of all, let us state that the above-mentioned phrase has never been used in the Church and even contradicts the spirit and the orthodox doctrine of the Universal Church. It is also important to mention that the founders of Protestant Churches, such as Martin Luther (1483-1546), John Calvin (1509- 1564), Ulrich Zwingli (1483-1531), and many others, never used such terminology. Certainly, they were in favor of the Bible being the most authoritative source in the Church, but not the only one.  For instance, Martin Luther in his famous 95 Theses (1517) talks about the importance and the necessity of the Church order numerous times. Moreover, in his 62^nd thesis, he states, “The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel, of the glory and the grace of God”.

This thesis vividly reveals the opinion of Luther: the Gospel is the true treasure of the Church and not vice versa (i.e., the Church is the true treasure of the Gospel).

The founders of the Protestant Churches did not have the intention to reject the order of the Church or to change the Church-Scripture relationship; their intention was to “Reform the Church in accordance with the Word of God” (John Calvin). First reformers were primarily concerned with the catholic “Indulgence” and some issues related to Papal authority, things that cannot apply to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

WHO WERE THE ACTUAL MAINTAINERS OF THE SLOGAN “SOLA SCRIPTURA” (BY SCRIPTURE ALONE)?

Some presume that the phrase mentioned above was primarily maintained by several radical Reformers such as Conrad Grebel (1498-1526), Sebastian Frank (1499-1542), and William Chillingworth (1602-1644).  Grebel was the one who was separated from the group of Zwingli, who was his teacher, due to his radical views. The culmination of this opposition was the public dispute between Zwingli and Grebel, which took place in Zurich, Switzerland (Jan. 17, 1525). This dispute was primarily about the newly arisen issue of infant baptism; Zwingli was in support of the established standpoint of the Church and favored infant baptism, while Grebel was against it. The city council of Zurich found Zwingli’s position more acceptable and prohibited Grebel from preaching his doctrine in public. Grebel and his several followers separated themselves from the congregation, creating one of the first schisms of the Protestant Church. Grebel is also considered the first person who started practicing adult baptism/rebaptism associated with the Reformation.

These radical teachings were developed in the next centuries and found support from others like Englishman William Chillingworth (1602-1644), who insisted that “The Bible only is the religion of protestants”.

Eventually, these doctrines were broadened, found wide acceptance by many, and became the base for thousands of new Christian denominations and Churches.