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Week of 11/18/07
Week of 11/18/07
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What is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth?
If you ask most non-Catholic Christians this question, their answer will be: “Why,
the Bible, of course.” The doctrine of the Bible Alone, or Sola Scriptura, is one
of the most significant points of departure among Catholics and “Bible
Christians.” The irony is that, because Catholics believe in the inerrancy of
Scripture, the notion that the Bible is the sole rule of faith must be rejected.
Why? Because it is contrary to scripture!
That's right! Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Bible is the sole rule of
faith and morals. Here is why the doctrine of “Bible alone” cannot be true:
So what does the Bible say is the “Pillar and Foundation of Truth?” 1 Timothy 3:
15 declares “But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the
household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation
of truth.”
Also, "Bible Christians" insist that the Bible is the "last court of appeal" in
settling disputes. That's not what the Bible says! Matthew 18:15-17 says "If your
brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If
he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one
or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the
testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the
church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a
Gentile or a tax collector." The Church is then the supreme authority.
Does the Bible say follow only scripture? On the contrary, 2 Thess. 2:15 tells us:
“Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were
taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” St. John Chrysostom
commented on this verse around A.D. 398. “Hence it is manifest, that they did not
deliver all things by Epistle, but many things also unwritten, and in like manner
both the one and the other are worthy of credit. Therefore let us think the
tradition of the Church also worthy of credit. It is a tradition, seek no farther.”
More information on this topic can be found at Catholic Answers under Scripture
and Tradition.
If you ask most non-Catholic Christians this question, their answer will be: “Why,
the Bible, of course.” The doctrine of the Bible Alone, or Sola Scriptura, is one
of the most significant points of departure among Catholics and “Bible
Christians.” The irony is that, because Catholics believe in the inerrancy of
Scripture, the notion that the Bible is the sole rule of faith must be rejected.
Why? Because it is contrary to scripture!
That's right! Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Bible is the sole rule of
faith and morals. Here is why the doctrine of “Bible alone” cannot be true:
- The Bible does not tell us even what books comprise the Bible.
- The Bible cannot be its own authority. If books can be self-authenticating
then we should also accept the Book of Mormon and the Qu’ran both of
which claim to be the “word of God.” - Using subjective human opinion to interpret the Bible rather than some
infallible authority to interpret it, leads to thousands of individual opinions
as is manifested by the state of “Bible Christianity” today.
So what does the Bible say is the “Pillar and Foundation of Truth?” 1 Timothy 3:
15 declares “But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the
household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation
of truth.”
Also, "Bible Christians" insist that the Bible is the "last court of appeal" in
settling disputes. That's not what the Bible says! Matthew 18:15-17 says "If your
brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If
he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one
or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the
testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the
church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a
Gentile or a tax collector." The Church is then the supreme authority.
Does the Bible say follow only scripture? On the contrary, 2 Thess. 2:15 tells us:
“Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were
taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” St. John Chrysostom
commented on this verse around A.D. 398. “Hence it is manifest, that they did not
deliver all things by Epistle, but many things also unwritten, and in like manner
both the one and the other are worthy of credit. Therefore let us think the
tradition of the Church also worthy of credit. It is a tradition, seek no farther.”
More information on this topic can be found at Catholic Answers under Scripture
and Tradition.