Recently, I had a conversation with someone regarding the principle of “sola scriptura,” (which means “by Scripture alone”). Basically, it’s the idea that the Bible is all we need. For most of you reading this, that might sound like an obvious statement, but it is, in fact the primary line of demarcation between the Roman Catholic world and the so-called Protestant world.
Here is the question I was asked:
I’ve heard some that don’t subscribe to a Sola Scriptura view say that Sola Scriptura is wholly based on individual interpretation and you can’t reach sound doctrine based on that. The number of denominations is a big selling point to that idea. I guess my main question would be without any kind of infallibility how can you be sure you’re accurately interpreting the text?
This is a great question, in my opinion, and one that needs consideration.
The problem with the argument being posed is it’s hypocritical. The argument is “a bunch of denominations proves an individual can’t reach sound doctrine” but, in fact, that argument proves nothing: The Catholic church would like to say “those people can’t interpret the Bible” while also saying “but we can.” You’re just trading a bunch of individual human interpretations for one human interpretation. For the Roman Church, the argument isn’t “you guys are all interpreting it wrong.” The argument is “you guys don’t have permission to interpret it at all… but we do.”
Oh, how convenient!
To be clear, I don’t think it’s a good thing that there are hundreds (if not more) of denominational divisions and everyone reaching different interpretations, etc. My point is this: “The Word of God is the seed of the Kingdom (Luke 8:11) and is absolute truth (John 17:17).” The truth is there. I might not always land on it, but it’s there for the landing. I would appreciate the opportunity to study for myself and learn the Word of God so that I can, as Paul says, “work out my own salvation” (Philippians 2:12). That’s at the heart of this debate. One side says “you don’t have the right to study for yourself. Let me study for you and I’ll tell you what to think.” I wholeheartedly reject that premise.
Setting that aside, when you break down how the Catholics read the Bible vs anyone else, there’s not much difference in HOW it is interpreted. What they get out of the interpretation is another matter, but the way they interpret it is the same. The difference between Catholics and Protestants is with the Catholics’ addition of “tradition” as justifiable law alongside scripture. They argue they can interpret the Bible and also argue that the things they have added onto the Bible over the years is as authoritative as the Bible. On what grounds? By whose authority? By the authority of their traditions, they would say, and they would cite the fact that Jews bound traditions and held them on equal weight to the word of God. I know this because that’s exactly what I have been told by Catholics over the years.
Of course the problem with that is the fact that the Jews’ insistence on elevating tradition up to and over the Word of God was a constant complaint the Lord had with them!
But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
(Matthew 15:3)
Is a Catholic Bishop permitted to marry? No. Why? Paul says a bishop “must” be the husband of a wife (1 Timothy 3:12). And while you can hear arguments from Roman Catholics who say “well, it’s possible if they were married when they became a bishop, then they can stay married…” but, in practicality, the Church today will never ordain a married man as a bishop. The days of Jean-François de Hercé are over. So, if Paul commands marriage, how can the Catholic church deny marriage? The answer is “Tradition.” And to that, I again quote the Master:
But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
(Matthew 15:3)
This is the slippery slope that one goes down with you reject “sola scriptura.” If you do not accept that the infallible Holy Spirit inspired people to pen a Book (a collection of Books, but I digress) that is now complete, and that, because it came from the infallible Holy Spirit, nothing more is needed for our salvation, then you must surrender your theology to fallible men who will apply whatever teachings and customs they feel are important for the times and seasons in which they live, regardless of how they align with or contradict the Word of God.
As for who has the right to interpret the Bible, the New Testament itself does not teach that an understanding of God’s word requires an “ordained” person to provide the info. Paul says:
“When you read you understand”
(Ephesians 3:4).
Religious division has always been a problem. Pharisees divided from Sadducees, etc. Religious division, and the fact that a bunch of people with the freedom to interpret the Bible, and thus the freedom to get it wrong, isn’t a proof that we should just let a small exclusive club have a monopoly on knowing the Word of God.
~Matthew