On Doctrine
Comments(7)My good friend Caleb posted an interesting but profoundly misguided entry on his MySpace Blog. In this entry, Caleb has formally rejected all religious doctrine in favor of sola scriptura. This is a dangerous view to hold. People who adhere to extremist views of sola scriptura run the danger of sinking into heresy without realizing it. Sola scriptura was never framed with the idea of ignoring all of church history or her doctrine.
So what is sola scriptura, then? Sola scriptura is Latin for “by Scripture alone.” It is the theological position that the Bible alone is sufficient to establish faith and morals and correct doctrine. The Roman Catholic position has always been sola verbum Dei, which means “by the Word of God alone.” Catholics consider Sacred Tradition on par with Scripture, which is rejected by the Protestant Reformers. Said Martin Luther:
Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me! Amen. Read more »
