IS THE SLOGAN “SOLA SCRIPTURA” (BY SCRIPTURE ALONE) BIBLICAL?

No, unquestionably it is not. Indeed, the primary principle of the Churches that accept the Bible as the sole authority for their doctrines is not biblical. This awkward, yet accurate answer reflects the undeniable truth. This truth is not only recognized by us, but also by those who support it. However, they claim that the slogan stems from the spirit of the Bible and attempt to find similarities in the words of Apostle Paul addressed to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-16). In these verses Apostle states; “From your childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”,- and goes on “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. It is evident that Apostle Paul found Holy Scriptures “profitable” for doctrine, but not the “only” source. Moreover, the same Apostle instructs Thessalonians, saying, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the tradition which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (II Thessalonians 2:15).

Thus, by observing the above-mentioned verses and the teachings of the early Church, we can conclude that the slogan “Sola Scriptura” is not only non-biblical but also contradicts the Bible, as the Bible does not mention a single source but two.

WERE THERE DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE HOLY BIBLE IN ANTIQUITY?

Yes, indeed. Contemporary Christians would identify the Holy Scripture with the collection of the Old and the New Testaments, with their books, and especially the Gospels. However, the Apostles and our Lord Himself would answer differently to the same question, since in their time the Bible had not yet been formed (for example, the Gospel of John was written in the 90s, at a time when Jesus had already ascended and most of the Apostles had already departed).

Now, let us examine the usage of the word ‘Gospel’ by the Lord Jesus Christ in order to reveal its real meaning.

Our Lord did use the word ‘Gospel’ several times (Matthew 11:5; 24:14, Mark 13:10, Luke 4:18 etc.), and we would like to quote one of them, “The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations” (Mark 13:10). This verse vividly exposes that by saying “Gospel” our Lord meant the sum of His teachings and doctrines in their entirety and not the four canonical Gospels after Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

HOW DID THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST UNDERSTAND THE WORD ‘GOSPEL’?

Apostle Paul uses this word more than 80 times in his letters. However, like the Lord, he did not refer to today's Gospels, since they were composed after his letters were written (45-55 AD). By saying ‘Gospel’, the Apostle meant a lot more than the content of the Gospels. Let us present a supportive argument: Before he departed from Ephesians St. Paul reminded them to remember the words of the Lord and said, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, ‘It is more blessed to give then to receive’ ” (Acts 20eS:35). The verse mentioned above is not found in any of the four canonical Gospels, however it was well known not only to St. Paul but to Ephesians, since the Apostle did not teach them the phrase, he reminded it.

This example is one of the most important biblical evidences that explain us the unacceptability of the slogan “Sola Scriptura”, since by admitting it we reject the other part of the Divine Revelation, the Holy Oral Tradition i.e. Apostolic Tradition, which was preserved in the memories of the Apostles and was written down by the Apostolic fathers of the Church. This is the reason why one of the first Christian writers, Justin Martyr (160 AD), calls the books of the New Testament “The memories of the Apostles”. 

Without a doubt, by rejecting the Holy Oral Tradition, we cut the wing off the bird and assure ourselves and those around us that one wing would be enough for the bird to fly.

Indeed, no book in the world can contain the Divine truths and actions in their entirety, even if that book is the Holy Bible. Therefore, we would like to remind our readers of the words of Apostle John once again, “There are also many other things that Jesus did which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

Hayk Madoyan

(To be continued)