Sola Scriptura

[DaveFromMichigan]

Even if everyone agreed with the doctrine solo scriptura the problem still remains in authority to interpret what is written. Unless one can claim perfect understanding due to internal illumination from the Holy Spirit then we are left to the best opinion one can form based upon personal study. I for one have no such authority.

 

I agree. Even a cult can use the Scripture to teach their wrong doctrines.

 

That is why I think interpretation must be based on the concept of original intent, that is, what did the author intend to say/teach with what he wrote. If we agree on this basic principle, we can usually come pretty close in majority cases although there will always be differences in details. If we do not agree on this principle, we belong in different schools and sometimes reach irreconcilable differences (irreconcilable in terms of explaining a passage; people can still accept each other as dear brothers and sisters even if their doctrines differ as long as it is not major doctrines).

[Guest Judas Machabeus]

Onelight,

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church as the source of its life and sanctifies souls through the gift of grace.

Although the sanctification of mankind, like all other outward works of God, is performed by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, it is attributed to the Holy Spirit, the third Person. The sanctification of mankind is attributed to the Holy Ghost because He is the love of the Father and the Son and because the sanctification of man by grace shows forth God's boundless love.

The church are those who make up His Body, not a building or a denomination. The Holy Spirit works in each of us, personally, the very reason why we have a personal relationship with God and not a religion. He does not work in what the world knows as the Church, but in the individuals that make up His Body ... that is the true church.

From what understand the example I gave regarding the cannon of scripture stands firm with what you said. There was no divisions and the bishops at the time came together and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and closed the canon. My fiancés pastor gave me a book to read and that is one of the chapters. I can not remember which council it was off the top of my head.

[gdemoss]

Even if everyone agreed with the doctrine solo scriptura the problem still remains in authority to interpret what is written. Unless one can claim perfect understanding due to internal illumination from the Holy Spirit then we are left to the best opinion one can form based upon personal study. I for one have no such authority.

The authority is not yours to begin with.

Alan, I never claimed any so what is your point?

[gdemoss]

Even if everyone agreed with the doctrine solo scriptura the problem still remains in authority to interpret what is written. Unless one can claim perfect understanding due to internal illumination from the Holy Spirit then we are left to the best opinion one can form based upon personal study. I for one have no such authority.

I agree. Even a cult can use the Scripture to teach their wrong doctrines.

That is why I think interpretation must be based on the concept of original intent, that is, what did the author intend to say/teach with what he wrote. If we agree on this basic principle, we can usually come pretty close in majority cases although there will always be differences in details. If we do not agree on this principle, we belong in different schools and sometimes reach irreconcilable differences (irreconcilable in terms of explaining a passage; people can still accept each other as dear brothers and sisters even if their doctrines differ as long as it is not major doctrines).

Therein lies the rub...I have many times thought I knew the author better than I really did and have made quite the spectical of myself! I do agree with what you have said.

[Willa]

It is true that we do need churches to help us grow and to keep us on the right course. We need other believers for fellowship. We need good pastors to preach and teach the Word. But in the end it is the authority of the Holy Spirit that brings his words to bear upon our lives. God enlightens us and gives us growth whether it is from preaching or from our personal Bible Study. A good church will believe the solas mentioned.. Scripture alone, Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone, etc.

There are a few good churches left in the denominations that have discarded this doctrine, but most of them have gone far afield so as to allow lesbian pastors and other things that are an abomination to God. Some allow traditions for doctrine that contradicted the Bible in the first place, like bowing down to graven images or statues and praying to them. Others allow experiences as a basis for doctrine; some even make experiences a type of god so that people pursue some new, weird feeling or strange phenomina rather than pursuing the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Some claim they have a new gospel given to them by an angel and add other books to supercede Scripture like the book of mormon.

Sola Scriptura has proven over some 500 years to keep the church on the right track and safe from error.

[OneLight]

Even if everyone agreed with the doctrine solo scriptura the problem still remains in authority to interpret what is written. Unless one can claim perfect understanding due to internal illumination from the Holy Spirit then we are left to the best opinion one can form based upon personal study. I for one have no such authority.

The authority is not yours to begin with.

Alan, I never claimed any so what is your point?

Sorry, a letter was added when it should not of been. I meant to say ours, not yours. I was agreeing with what you said, while expounding on the idea. You will see that in the rest of the post. Never meant to address only you.

[gdemoss]

Even if everyone agreed with the doctrine solo scriptura the problem still remains in authority to interpret what is written. Unless one can claim perfect understanding due to internal illumination from the Holy Spirit then we are left to the best opinion one can form based upon personal study. I for one have no such authority.

The authority is not yours to begin with.

Alan, I never claimed any so what is your point?

Sorry, a letter was added when it should not of been. I meant to say ours, not yours. I was agreeing with what you said, while expounding on the idea. You will see that in the rest of the post. Never meant to address only you.

Got it. I am sick today and perception off anyway lol.

[OneLight]

Onelight,

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church as the source of its life and sanctifies souls through the gift of grace.

Although the sanctification of mankind, like all other outward works of God, is performed by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, it is attributed to the Holy Spirit, the third Person. The sanctification of mankind is attributed to the Holy Ghost because He is the love of the Father and the Son and because the sanctification of man by grace shows forth God's boundless love.

The church are those who make up His Body, not a building or a denomination. The Holy Spirit works in each of us, personally, the very reason why we have a personal relationship with God and not a religion. He does not work in what the world knows as the Church, but in the individuals that make up His Body ... that is the true church.

From what understand the example I gave regarding the cannon of scripture stands firm with what you said. There was no divisions and the bishops at the time came together and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and closed the canon. My fiancés pastor gave me a book to read and that is one of the chapters. I can not remember which council it was off the top of my head.

It may of been from what you said earlier about scripture AND the church, including speaking in the OP of the church you went to, that led me to believe you were speaking of a specific denomination.

Nevertheless, since the body (church) is taught by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit teaches us scripture, how can scripture and the church be equal?

[GoldenEagle]

Dave there are things that are held as truth that are not found in the bible such as the canon of scripture. So under who's authority is the canon closed on. Can we add more books??

The Bible was closed due to the leading of the Holy Spirit. See this thread.

God bless,

GE

 

[GoldenEagle]

 

From what understand the example I gave regarding the cannon of scripture stands firm with what you said. There was no divisions and the bishops at the time came together and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and closed the canon. My fiancés pastor gave me a book to read and that is one of the chapters. I can not remember which council it was off the top of my head.

 

 

Actually there were many disagreements among church leadership but they came to a consensus by the leading of the Holy Spirit. You are thinking of the council of Carthage AD 397 and Council of Hippo AD 419 which confirmed the 27 NT canon. The OT canon was already closed.

God bless,

GE