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V o l u m e 2 Issue 2 Sola Scriptura

Logic and the


Foundations of
Protestantism
by Fr. Brian W. Harrison
As an active Protestant in my mid-twenties I began to feel that I might have a vocation to become a
minister. The trouble was that while I had quite denite convictions about the things that most Christians
have traditionally held in commonthe sort of thing C.S. Lewis termed mere ChristianityI had had
some rsthand experience with several denominations (Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist) and
was far from certain as to which of them (if any) had an overall advantage over the others. So I began to
think, study, search, and pray. Was there a true Church? If so, how was one to decide which?

T he more I studied, the more per-


plexed I became. At one point my
elder sister, a very committed evangelical
amongst religious questions: lay people can
go to one Protestant Church one week and
another the next week and nobody really
responsibility; and the time to make it was
before, not after, ordination.
As matters turned out, my search
with somewhat exible denominational worries too much. But an ordained minister lasted several years, and eventually led me
affiliations, chided me with becoming obviously cannot do that. He must make to where I never suspected it would at rst. I
obsessed with trying to find a true a very serious commitment to a denite shall not attempt to relate the full story, but
Church. Does it really matter? she church community, and under normal will focus on just one aspect of the question
would ask. Well, yes it did. It was all very circumstances that commitment will be as it developed for mean aspect which
well for a lay Protestant to relegate the expected to last a lifetime. So clearly that seems quite fundamental.
denominational issue to a fairly low priority choice had to be made with a deep sense of
continued on page 4...

Logic and the Foundations of Protestantism - by Fr. Brian W. Harrison................................ continued on page 4
W From the Editor - by Marcus Grodi ......................................................................................... page 2
H
A You Are That Man - by Mark Connell .................................................................................... page 6
T What is Truth? An Examination of Sola Scriptura - by Dwight Longenecker ................... page 9
The Practical Problems of Sola Scriptura - by James Akin ................................................................... page 13
S The Perspicuity (Clearness) of Scripture - by David Armstrong .................................................... page 16
Pastor, Can I Ask You Something? - by Marcus C. Grodi ......................................................... page 19
I
N Oral Tradition in the New Testament - by David Palm ............................................................... page 23
S When Evangelicals Treat Catholic Tradition Like Revelation - by Mark P. Shea .......................... page 27
I What Do Catholics Believe About Scripture? - from the Catechism of the Catholic Church ........... page 31
D Did the Church Fathers Believe in Sola Scriptura - by Joseph Gallegos ....................................... page 34
E Before you Object - Sola Scriptura: A Stony Path - by Marcus C. Grodi ................................... page 37
From the Editor

Welcome to the Fifth Edition of the


Coming Home Journal.

Once upon a time, there was this then I cant help but believe that they are understand the eternal signicance of the
Ethiopian eunuch, a court ofcial of Can- merely not listening to what the Bible here Scriptures unless someone guides. But we
dace, Queen of the Ethiopians. He was in is so clearly teaching. have been given the Holy Spirit to provide
charge of all of her treasure. He had come The apparently highly educated this guidance?! Then why so much con-
to Jerusalem to worship, and the apostle Ethiopian ofcial was reading one of the fusion, contradiction and conict amongst
Philip had been led by an angel to go and clearest prophecies from Isaiah about the Christians?
meet him. As the Ethiopian ofcial was on Suffering Servant-Messiah: No, just as the apostle Philip so
his way back, Philip found him riding his specically represents, Jesus sent forth
chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. He was led as a sheep to slaughter; his hand-chosen and anointed apostolic
Now, of course, Im not making this And as a lamb before its shearer is band to make disciples and teach the
story up. Its found in Acts 8.25-40. Few silent, whole world about who he was and about
details are given about the background of So He does not open His mouth. salvation.
this African eunuch: what he specically In humiliation His judgement was This edition of the Coming Home
believed and why he had been drawn to taken away; Journal addresses the issue at question
travel all the way up to Jerusalem to wor- Who shall relate His generation? here: whether the Bible alone is truly
ship. But apparently while he was there, For His life is removed from the sufcient for all matters of faith. This is
he must have stopped by a local Hebrew earth. a dogma most Protestants believe, or at
scroll-store and purchased a copy of the least upon which they have based most
book of Isaiah. This of course had to be a The Ethiopian then asked Philip, of their doctrinal apologetics, ever since
hand copied scrollfor the printing press Please tell me, of whom does the prophet Martin Luther made the following bold
was still nearly 1400 years awayand say this? Of himself, or of someone else? statement at the Diet of Worms:
therefore it would have been quite rare Now lets pull ourselves away from the
and expensive. (It is very important to re- Ethiopians specic question and Philips Unless I am convinced by the tes-
alize that in those days not just everyone response, and recognize the signicance timony of the Scriptures or by clear
had copies of the Old Testament Scriptures of what is happening: the written biblical reason (for I do not trust either in
laying around on their coffee tables. This prophecy was not sufcient to lead this the pope or in councils alone, since
was a phenomenon that did not evolve for man to Christ, or to faith and therefore it is well known that they have often
many, many centuries.) salvation. A human witness and interpreter erred and contradicted themselves),
When Phillip encountered the was needed. I am bound by the Scriptures I have
ofcial, the angel led him to ask if the Some might shoot back that Philips quoted and my conscience is captive to
African understood what he was reading. answer as well as those given by Paul, Peter, the Word of God. I cannot and I will
The eunuchs response indicates that his James, John, Matthew, Luke, etc. became not retract anything, since it is neither
problem was not from a lack of being able the New Testament which thereby ex- safe nor right to go against conscience.
to read the language, which would either plained the meaning of this and other Old May God help me. Amen.
have been Hebrew or Greek (if it were the Testament prophesies for any who would
Septuagint version). No, the problem was ever need an answer. But if this is true, An entire article could be written to
one of interpretation, for he responded, why then are there still thousands upon address the important obvious as well as
Well, how could I [understand], unless thousands of sermons being preached and hidden implications of this statement
someone guides me? Bible studies being led all over the world, (and with hindsight I wish one had been
For anyone who claims that the Bible if further explanation isnt necessary? prepared for this issue), but sufce it to
alone is sufcient, this account must stand Because just as this highly motivated say that out of this bold stand (in which
as a main stumbling blockif it doesnt, Ethiopian eunuch recognized, one cannot Luther was actually holding stubbornly to

2 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


his own private interpretations of a select
list of verses) has evolved the modern view
that All I need is the Bible to know all I The Coming Home
need about Jesus and salvation. The ar- Network International
ticles in this edition of the CHJournal each
In cooperation with the Catholic Bishops, the
in its own way addresses how naive if not Coming Home Network International was
downright ridiculous this notion is. On the established to help inquiring clergy as well as
surface it may sound very gallant and faith- laity of other traditions return home and then
fulas if one is rightly raising and praising be at home in the Catholic Church.
the divinely inspired Word of Godbut
in reality the person holding to sola scrip- P. O. Box 8290
tura too often is giving primary approval Zanesville, OH 43702
Phone: (740) 450-1175
to the other two foundations upon which
Luther took his stand: clear reason and
JOURNEYS HOME
The Journey of Protestant Clergy www.chnetwork.org
conscience, the result of which, when
and Laity Coming Home to the mgrodi@chnetwork.org
unguided by the divinely established and
guided authority of the Church have led to Catholic Church. Marcus C. Grodi
all kinds of aberrations, such as the rights Executive Director & Editor
to abortion and euthanasia as well as a long What began in November of 1997 Fr. Ray Ryland
list of contemporary lifestyles. as a condensed compilation of the Chaplain
As weve said form the beginning of best of the Coming Home Network Bob Smeltzer
our work, the goals of the Coming Home newsletters has turned into an ex- Director
Network International and the CHJournal citing and winsome resource for Jim Anderson
are not to proselytize, but rather to helping those outside the Catholic Assistant Director
explain in clear terms the truth about Church as well as life-long Catholics Stephen Smeltzer
and the truths of the Catholic Church. rediscover the truth and joy of the Information Technologies
Most of our authors for the CHJournal Catholic Faith. Arielle Anderson
are converts to the Catholic Church, some
The contents of this book authored Executive Assistant
having been ordained clergymen of many
different denominations, including the and edited by Marcus C. Grodi Sharon Coen
include: Resource Specailist
Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist
and Presbyterian. Shala Fleece
A forward by co-founders Scott and CHResources
It is our prayer that these articles and Kimberly Hahn;
stories are an encouragement to your faith. Rob Rodgers
If you have any questions or comments, PART ONE, which presents 20 Helpers Network
conversion stories of CHNetwork
please either contact us or the person
Members; Spiritual Advisors:
who gave you this journal. We want to
do whatever we can to help those outside PART TWO, which tells the story Most Reverend Paul Dudley,
of how the Coming Home Network Retired Bishop of Sioux Falls, SD
the Catholic Church, those who have left
the Church, or those who are lifelong was formed and now responds to Most Rev. Gilbert I. Sheldon
Catholics but have lost the joy of their the needs of Protestant clergy and Retired Bishop of Steubenville
salvation, to discover the great joys and lay converts. Fr. Benedict Groeschel C.F.R.
truth of the Catholic Faith. Appendix A, a full reprinting of Fr. Mitch Pacwa S.J.
Fr. Charles P. Connor
Catholic Answers Pillar of Fire, Pil-
Fr. John McCloskey S.T.D.
May the Father richly bless you as you lar of Trutha concise presentation Fr. Ed Sylvia
seek to follow Jesus His Son through the of the basics of the Catholic Faith,
loving guidance of the Holy Spirit. Appendix B, a detailed bibli- Advisors:
ography of helpful books for the Marilyn C. Grodi
Sincerely In Christ, Former Presbyterian
Dr. Scott Hahn
Please call CHN to order Former Presbyterian Pastor
Kimberly Hahn M.Div.
(740) 450-1175 Former Presbyterian
Dr. Thomas Howard
Former Anglican
You can also obtain this book by sending Karl Keating
your donation to:
Kevin Lowry, CPA
CHNetwork PO Box 8290 Zanesville, OH
43702-8290

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 3


Harrison, continued from page 1...
As I groped and prayed my way towards from the comfort of your armchair, so to of proud reason. Luther called reason the
a decision--contemplating the mountains of speak, in order to test the claims of any body devils whorea siren which seduced men
erudition, the vast labyrinth of conicting of doctrine, on any subject whatsoever, that into grievous error. Dont trust your reason,
interpretations of Christianity (not to mention comes claiming your acceptance. Moreover just bow humbly before Gods truth revealed
other faiths) which lined the shelves of religious logic, like mathematics, yields rm certitude, to you in His holy Word, the Bible!this was
bookshops and libraries--I at times came close not mere changeable opinions and provisional pretty much the message that came through
to despair and agnosticism. If all the experts hypotheses. Logic is the rst natural beacon to me from the Calvinist and Lutheran circles
on Truththe great theologians, historians, of light with which God has provided us as that inuenced me most in the rst few years
philosophersdisagreed interminably with intelligent beings living in a world darkened by after I made my decision for Christ at the age
each other, then how did God, if He was really the confusion of countless conicting attitudes, of 18. The Reformers themselves were forced
there, expect me, an ordinary Joe Blow, to doctrines and world-views, all telling us how to employ reason even while denouncing it, in
work out what was true? to live our lives during this brief time that is their efforts to rebut the biblical arguments of
The more I became enmeshed in specic given to us here on earth. their Papist foes. And that, it seemed to me,
questions of biblical interpretationof who Logic of course has its limits. Pure was rather illogical on their part.
had the right understanding of justication, armchair reasoning alone will never be able
of the Eucharist, Baptism, grace, Christology, to tell you the meaning of your life and how LOGIC AND THE SOLA SCRIPTURA
Church government and discipline, and so you should live it. But as far as it goes, logic is PRINCIPLE
onthe more I came to feel that this whole an indispensable tool, and I even suspect that Thus, with my awakening interest in
line of approach was a hopeless quest, a blind you sin against God, the rst Truth, if you logical analysis as a test of religious truth, I
alley. These were all questions that required knowingly out or ignore it in your thinking. was naturally led to ask whether this illogicality
a great deal of erudition, learning, compe- Thou shalt not contradict thyself seems to in the practice of the Reformers was, perhaps,
tence in biblical exegesis, patristics, history, me an important precept of the natural moral accompanied by illogicality at the more
metaphysics, ancient languagesin short, law. fundamental level of their theory. As a good
scholarly research. But was it really credible (I Be that as it may, I found that the main Protestant I had been brought up to hold as
began to ask myself ) that God, if He were to use of logic, in my quest for religious truth, sacred the basic methodological principle
reveal the truth about these disputed questions turned out to be in deciding not what was true, of the Reformation: that the Bible alone
at all, would make this truth so inaccessible but what was false. If someone presents you contains all the truth that God has revealed
that only a small scholarly elite had even the with a system of ideas or doctrines which log- for our salvation. Churches that held to that
faintest chance of reaching it? Wasnt that a ical analysis reveals to be coherentthat is, free principle were at least respectable, one was
kind of gnosticism? Where did it leave the from internal contradictions and meaningless given to understand, even though they might
nonscholarly bulk of the human race? It didnt absurditiesthen you can conclude, This set differ considerably from each other in regard
seem to make sense. If, as they say, war is too of ideas may be true. It has at least passed the to the interpretation of Scripture. But as for
important to be left to the generals, then re- rst test of truththe coherence test. To nd Roman Catholicism and other Churches which
vealed truth seemed too important to be left to out if it actually is true you will then have to unashamedly added their own traditions to the
the biblical scholars. It was no use saying that leave your logicians armchair and seek further Word of Godwere they not self-evidently
perhaps God simply expected the non-scholars information. But if it fails this most elementary outside the pale? Were they not condemned out
to trust the scholars. How were they to know test of truth, it can safely be eliminated without of their own mouths?
which scholars to trust, given that the scholars further ado from the ideological competition, But when I got down to making a serious
all contradicted each other? no matter how many impressive-looking vol- attempt to explore the implications of this
Therefore, in my efforts to break out umes of erudition may have been written in rock-bottom dogma of the Reformers, I could
of the dense exegetical undergrowth where I support of it, and no matter how attractive and not avoid the conclusion that it was rationally
could not see the trees for the wood, I shifted appealing many of its features (or many of its indefensible. This is demonstrated in the
towards a new emphasis in my truth-seeking proponents) may appear. following eight steps, which embody nothing
criteria: I tried to get beyond the bewildering Some readers may wonder why I am more than simple, common sense logic, and a
mass of contingent historical and linguistic laboring the point about logic. Isnt all couple of indisputable, empirically observable
data upon which the rival exegetes and this perfectly obvious? Well, it ought to be facts about the Bible:
theologians constructed their doctrinal castles, obvious to everyone, and is indeed obvious 1. The Reformers asserted Proposition A: All
in order to concentrate on those elemental, to many, including those who have had the revealed truth is to be found in the inspired
necessary principles of human thought which good fortune of receiving a classical Catholic Scriptures. However, this is quite useless
are accessible to all of us, learned and unlearned education. Catholicism, as I came to discover, unless we know which books are meant by
alike. In a word, I began to suspect that an has a quite positive approach to our natural the inspired Scriptures. After all, many
emphasis on logic, rather than on research, reasoning powers, and traditionally has its different sects and religions have many
might expedite an answer to my prayers for future priests study philosophy for years before different books, which they call inspired
guidance. they even begin theology. But I came from a Scriptures.
The advantage was that you dont need religious milieu where this outlook was not 2. The theory we are considering, when it talks
to be learned to be logical. You need not encouraged, and was often even discouraged. of inspired Scriptures, means in fact those
have spent years amassing mountains of The Protestant Reformers taught that original 66 books, which are bound and published in
information in libraries in order to apply the sin has so weakened the human intellect that Protestant Bibles. For convenience we shall
rst principles of reason. You can apply them we must be extremely cautious about the claims refer to them from now on simply as the
66 books.
4 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
3. The precise statement of the theory we are tied in making that claim, provided that In any case, even if Calvin could somehow
examining thus becomes Proposition B: this authority backed up the claim by some show that D did not itself contradict B, he
All revealed truth is to be found in the 66 very striking evidence. (Catholics, in fact, would still not have succeeded in showing
books. believe that their Church is precisely such that B is true. Even if we were to accept the
4. It is a fact that nowhere in the 66 books an authority.) But how could reason alone extremely implausible view represented by
themselves can we nd any statements telling reach that same well-founded certitude about Proposition D, that would not prove that
us which books make up the entire corpus a collection of 66 books which do not even lay no other writings are inspired, and much
of inspired Scripture. There is no complete claim to what is attributed to them? (The point less would it prove that there are no revealed
list of inspired books anywhere within their is reinforced when we remember that those truths that come to us through tradition
own pages, nor can such a list be compiled by who attribute the totality of revealed truth rather than through inspired writings. In
putting isolated verses together. (This would to the 66 books, namely Protestant Church short, Calvins defense of biblical inspiration
be the case: (a) if you could nd verses like members, are very ready to acknowledge their in no way overthrows our eight-step disproof
Esther is the Word of God, This Gospel own fallibilitywhether individually or col- of the sola scriptura principle. Indeed, it does
is inspired by God, The Second Letter of lectivelyin matters of religious doctrine. All not even attempt to establish that principle
Peter is inspired Scripture, etc., for all of Protestant Churches deny their own infallibility as a whole, but only one aspect of itthat is,
the 66 books; and (b) if you could also nd as much as they deny the Popes.) which books are to be understood by the term
a biblical passage stating that no books other 8. Since Proposition B is not revealed truth,
Scriptura.
than these 66 were to be held as inspired. nor a truth which can be deduced from
The schizoid history of Protestantism
Obviously, nobody could even pretend to revelation, nor a naturally-knowable truth,
itself bears witness to the original inner
nd all this information about the canon of it is not true at all. Therefore, the basic
contradiction which marked its conception
Scripture in the Bible itself.) doctrine for which the Reformers fought is
and birth. Conservative Protestants have
5. It follows that Proposition Bthe very simply false.
maintained the original insistence on the
foundation of all Protestant Christianity
is neither found in Scripture nor can be Bible as the unique infallible source of revealed
CALVINS ATTEMPTED SOLUTION
deduced from Scripture in any way. Since the truth, at the price of logical incoherence.
How did the Reformers try to cope with
66 books are not even identied in Scripture, Liberals on the other hand have escaped the
this fundamental weakness in the logical struc-
much less can any further information about incoherence while maintaining the claim
ture of their own rst principles? John Calvin,
them (e.g., that all revealed truth is contained to private interpretation over against that
usually credited with being the most systematic
in them) be found there. In short, we must of Popes and Councils, but at the price of
and coherent thinker of the Reformation, tried
afrm Proposition C: Proposition B is an abandoning the Reformers insistence on
to justify belief in the divine authorship of the
addition to the 66 books. an infallible Bible. They thereby effectively
66 books by dogmatically postulating a direct
6. It follows immediately from the truth of replace revealed truth by human opinion, and
communication of this knowledge from God
Proposition C that Proposition B cannot faith by an autonomous reason. Thus, in the
to the individual believer. Calvin makes it clear
itself be revealed truth. To assert that it is liberal/evangelical split within Protestantism
that in saying Scripture is self-authenticated,
would involve a self-contradictory statement: since the 18th century, we see both sides
he does not mean to be taken literally and ab-
All revealed truth is to be found in the 66 teaching radically opposed doctrines, even
solutely. He does not mean that some Bible
books, but this revealed truth itself is not while each claims to be the authentic heir of
text or other afrms that the 66 books, and they
found there. the Reformation. The irony is that both sides
alone, are divinely inspired. As we observed in
7. Could it be the case that Proposition B is are right: their conicting beliefs are simply the
step 4 above, nobody ever could claim anything
true, but is not revealed truth? If that is two horns of a dilemma, which has been tearing
so patently false. Calvin simply means that no
the case, then it must be either something at the inner fabric of Protestantism ever since
extra-biblical human testimony, such as that of
which can be deduced from revealed truth its turbulent beginnings.
Church tradition, is needed in order for individu-
or something which natural human reason Reections such as these from a Catholic
als to know that these books are inspired. We
alone can discover, without any help from onlooker may seem a little hard or unyielding
can summarize his view as Proposition D: The
revelation. The rst possibility is ruled out to someill-suited, perhaps, to a climate
because, as we saw in steps 4 and 5, B cannot Holy Spirit teaches Christians individually, by a
of ecumenical dialogue in which gentle
be deduced from Scripture, and to postulate direct inward testimony, that the 66 books are
suggestion, rather than blunt afrmation, is
some other revealed extra-Scriptural premise inspired by God.
the preferred mode of discourse. But logic is of
from which B might be deduced would The trouble is that the Holy Spirit
its very nature hard and unyielding; and insofar
contradict B itself. The second possibility Himself is an extra-biblical authority as much
as truth and honesty are to be the hallmarks of
involves no self-contradiction, but it is as a Pope or Council. The third Person of
true ecumenism, the claims of logic will have to
factually preposterous, and I doubt whether the Trinity is clearly not identical with the
be squarely faced, not politely avoided.
any Protestant has seriously tried to defend truths He has expressed, through human
itleast of all those traditional Protestants authors, in the Bible. It follows that even if
who strongly emphasize the corruption of Calvins Proposition D is true, it contradicts
mans natural intellectual powers as a result Proposition B, for if all revealed truth is to
of the Fall. be found in the 66 books, then that leaves no
Human reason might well be able to con- room for the Holy Spirit to reveal directly and Father Brian Harrison is currently teach-
clude prudently and responsibly that an non-verbally one truth which cannot be found ing at the Pontical Catholic University of
authority which itself claimed to possess in any passage of those books, namely, the fact Puerto Rico in Ponce.
the totality of revealed truth was in fact jus- that each one of them is inspired.
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 5
continued on page 38 ...
You Are That Man
By Mark Connell

I was born and raised in a Catholic home. This sentence, repeated in all too many conversion
stories, must be included in mine. It seems so much more tragic to preface a testimony with this sen-
tence, than to relay a happy conversion story that starts, I was born and raised a staunch Calvinist, but
then... Why? Because when the story concerns a cradle Catholic, it signals that something was missing
from what should have been the most wonderful, grace lled Christian experience available on earth.

Y es, the good news is that many of


these Catholics are coming Home!
But the disturbing news is that these people
I wrote anti-Catholic tracts and opened
a post ofce box with the intent of distrib-
uting them. I spent long hours in the library
named Mother Teresa. A Simple Path chal-
lenged my whole conception of Christian
service. Here was an elderly nun selessly
have felt the need to leave the Church of their researching local Catholic history in order to giving her whole life to Christ, but there was
youth in order to recognize Gods love. compile a spiritual map of my community. just one problem: she prayed the Rosary!
Often, in an attempt to assuage the guilt On a large street map, I marked the location What was I to do? I knew that the Rosary
of having left the Church over such issues as of each Catholic Church with an X (Eight was an instrument used in idolatrous prayers
clerical abuse, lack of spiritual formation or Xs in all.) This mapping was done in order to Mary; how could this woman serve God,
coldness in his or her local parish, an ex-Cath- to target these Catholic Churches for intense and Satan too? For the answer, I turned to
olic will turn against the Church and become intercessory prayer campaigns. I wasnt pray- Dave Hunts book, where he reassured me
viciously anti-Catholic. This happened with ing for anything as noble as an increase in that, her [Mother Teresas] evangelism leads
me. I was not really anti-Catholic when I left vocations in the Catholic Church, I simply no one to Christ...1 For some strange (and
the Church; nor did I leave for any heavy doc- wanted all the Catholic Churches in my merciful) reason I didnt buy Hunts counsel
trinal reason, I left for emotional ones. At the community to be emptied. I went to many this time. I began to wonder, Am I just gather-
time of my departure, I was very pro-Catholic of these Churches, anointed the buildings ing around me a great number of teachers to say
and longed for the Church to meet my spiri- with oil, and prayed for the salvation of the what my itching ears want to hear?
tual needs, but was angry that it didnt. members there. I shared Mother Teresas book with my
I left the Church in 1992, joining a pastor, a kind and compassionate man whom
small, loving Protestant church. Eventually Something Truly Miraculous I love deeply, and he was so moved that he
I would become an elder of this church, lead In the midst of all this, something truly preached a sermon on it. Contrary to Dave
mens Bible studies, and host weekly prayer miraculous happened. I heard a sermon by a Hunts assertion, people in this Protestant
meetings. Independently of anything taught Fundamentalist pastor who seemed to hate congregation were brought closer to Christ
from the pulpit of this church, I grew even the Church as much as I did. In a pivotal because of this nuns witness. Seeing this,
angrier and proceeded to build a doctrinal moment of my spiritual life, I listened to him I knew I had to radically alter my opinion
case against Rome. Every evening, my and comprehended just what I had become. of at least one Catholic, a tiny nun from
grudge against the Church was edged toward Suddenly, as when Nathan the prophet Calcutta.
full-blown hatred as I reveled in the writings confronted the murderous King David, I I was being devastated by all that was
of professional anti-Catholics such as Dave could almost hear God say, You are that being revealed to me about my prejudices. I
Hunt and James G. McCarthy. Many a dark man, Mark! It was as if someone had held was horried by the prospect that some of the
night slipped by as I continually let the sun a mirror up to my face and I saw that I had very people I had been persecuting, may have
go down on my anger. Woe to the unpre- become terribly disgured. Hate had turned in fact been saved. I, of course, had no in-
pared Catholic that crossed my path at this me into a monster. As I listened to this local tention of going back to the Catholic Church,
time! Woe to my Catholic family members! anti-Catholic preacher, I can vividly remem- but at least I would be more charitable in my
McCarthy and Hunts books allowed me to ber wondering what Heaven would be like, assessment of Catholics. Not wanting to con-
build an air tight case against the Church, but lled with only the righteous like him and cede too much, however, I resolved to re-read
it seems that I never considered that if air could me? I came to the conclusion that Heaven Dave Hunts book to see what I could salvage
not get in or out, neither could the Light. And would be a miserable and perfectly wretched of my case against the Church.
so, in the darkness of my prejudice, I grew as a place if that were so!
misshapen plant. I bore bitter fruit on twisted Within a month of hearing this sermon, Sola Scriptura: Hunt or Luther?
branches. I picked up a book by an obscure Catholic

6 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


I started reading A Woman Rides the wine, instituted by Christ himself for Which one of the 25,000 Protestant denomi-
Beast for a second time, but this time some- us Christians to eat and drink. Where nations should I bring it to?
thing was different. Whereas in the past this is this written? The holy Evangelists, Which Protestant church would be
book made me feel smug about my escape Matthew, Mark, and Luke, together given the nal authority to cast one or both
from the Whore of Babylon, it now caused with St. Paul, write thus: Our Lord of these men out as tax collectors and sin-
my case to collapse in ruins. This book is so Jesus Christ, in the night in which He ners? And if they were cast out, what would
internally inconsistent and mean spirited, that was betrayed, took bread; and when he stop them from simply starting up another
I could only shake when I read it again. If had given thanks, he brake it, and gave church, a church custom tailored to their
Hunt had written in the same manner about it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat; this own particular teachings? The end result
the Jewish people, he would be termed an is my body, which is given for you; this could be denomination number 25,001 and
anti-Semite and be featured on Nightline. do in remembrance of me.5 [Emphasis denomination number 25,002 and a direct
Consider the following quote from his book, added] repudiation of Christs command that this
Those conditioned to believe that wine had excommunication would be binding in
become Christs blood were able to believe Hunt had a problem, and so did I. heaven and on earth.
Hitlers myth of blood as well.2 How could Using Scripture Alone, we had come to an I began to see that in spite of the Prot-
I be so blind to his prejudice? impasse. Sola scriptura did not seem to be estant insistence on the Bible being the
As I studied this book, something else a valid method for solving this important court of last appeal, sola scriptura was an
became apparent. In his rush to pummel doctrinal dispute. Either Hunt was right or unworkable doctrine. Without an authori-
Catholics, Hunt also wounded Luther. With Martin Luther was right, or both were wrong. tative Church with the authority to bind and
his assault on Luthers heretical belief in In any event, sola scriptura had failed to weed loose (in heaven and on earth), Jesus solution
the Real Presence, he shook my trust in sola out an error in doctrine. One or both were for conict resolution in the church was ludi-
scriptura. Why? Because Luther and Hunt teaching a lie, but whom? What Luther (us- crous. I reasoned that Jesus loves us too much
both believe that Scripture alone should be ing Scripture) saw as the Body and Blood of to give us worthless solutions, therefore this
used to determine doctrine. Yet, while using our Lord, Hunt (using Scripture) saw as a authoritative church must exist today, just as
Scripture, both men were at opposite ends fantasy and heresy. it must have existed from the time He issued
of the spectrum on what seemed to be a key I saw that it ultimately came down to the command. This church also must have
doctrinal question: Is Christ physically pres- a stand off between Dave Hunt and Martin been exercising this authority throughout
ent in the Eucharist? Hunt said this belief Luthers interpretations of Scripture. I started Christian history, denitively judging heresies
was a fantasy and a foolish heresy3 and to wonder, Am I just following the traditions such as Gnosticism and Pelagianism as being
cited many Scripture verses to support his of men by trusting Hunt, or am I following the contrary to the Truth.
belief. Luther disagreed, as he explained in, A intentions of Christ? This question started to I read the Church Fathers and saw that
Treatise Concerning the Blessed Sacrament and burn inside of me. How would I resolve it? the belief in the Real Presence could be traced
Concerning the Brotherhood: back to the early martyrs; the early Church
Matthew 18: Our Lords Instruction consistently held that the Jesus was really
There are those who practice their arts I was dismayed to discover that I could present in the Eucharist. From this discov-
and subtleties to such an extent that they not even bring this disagreement to the ery I developed an intense hunger for the
ask where the bread remains when it is church as instructed by Jesus in Matthew Eucharist which would not dissipate. I wanted
changed into Christs esh, and the wine 18. In this discourse to the disciples, He had to belong to a living Church tradition with a
when it is changed into His blood; also outlined a three-step procedure to use if one sense of being joined to a family that had its
in what manner the whole Christ, His had something against a brother. Included beginnings in the Upper Room, and which
esh and blood, can be comprehended were the consequences to be incurred if one had continued to defend the Faith until this
in so small a portion of bread and wine. would not submit to correction. I reasoned present day.
What does it matter? It is enough to that Hunts charge of heresy would qualify During this time, I discovered that I
know that it is a divine sign, in which as having ought against a brother. Jesus didnt have to search for a church to weigh the
Christs esh and blood are truly pres- solution was not to take this problem to the merits of Luthers doctrine. Jesus Christ had
ent how and where, we leave to Scriptures (Remember, thats how we arrived already established a Church which had done
Him.4 [Emphasis added] at this impasse), but instead to take it to the just that. In the end, Dave Hunt had done
church. It suddenly became clear that I what the Catholic Church had failed to do.
Hunt claimed that Luther had been un- couldnt do this. Why not? He had destroyed my trust in sola scriptura.
able to jettison this belief from his Catholic Well, quite frankly, which Protestant
upbringing, but Luthers writings clearly show church would I have brought it to? Dave Implications
that he used Scripture to support this belief, Hunts church? The Lutheran church whom With these revelations came a necessary
as is shown in the following quote from his he had also charged with heresy? Or perhaps pruning. As branch after twisted branch of
Small Catechism: a neutral Protestant denomination like the prejudice was cut off, there was great pain
Baptist church? If the Baptists, then which and turmoil. I know that were it not for the
What is the sacrament of the Altar? Baptist church? The Regular Baptists? The love of my wife and the grace of God, I would
It is the true body and blood of our Southern Baptists? The American Baptists? not have survived the process. I did not want
Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 7
to leave the wonderful people at my church, arrogance of my approach to healing the which the Church has proclaimed for two
and, as sad as it might sound, I did not want spiritual wounds of my community became thousand years: that Jesus is really and truly
to leave the comfort of the dark little box into brutally apparent. Now, when I leave Mass present in the Eucharist. Sitting here now,
which I had tried to squeeze the richness of at this monastery, I can see this statue that with the sounds and the sights of Catholicism
Christianity. On another level, I did not want still challenges me to continue this lifelong above and around me, and with the expecta-
to commit my life to a Church with which I process of dying to self. tion of the Eucharist before me, I am lled
was still angry. And to be even more honest, I Floating high above the Church of the with awe. What a year. What a tumultuous
did not want to eat the wheelbarrows full of Immaculate Conception, the symphony of and glorious journey.
crow that people would be lining up to feed bells calls the Catholics of this small Mid- As I write this, I am preparing for Ash
me. Not surprisingly, this thinly veiled pride western town to worship on this February Wednesday. Soon, the priest will place ashes
was the last obstacle to be overcome. morning. Far below the bell tower, the upon my forehead as a symbol of repentance,
But I learned to lay my pride and anger sanctuary slowly lls with people as I let my death and resurrection. As he inscribes a
aside as I prayed about Jesus question in Luke prayers ride upon the sound. It is a miracle Cross upon my forehead with an ash black-
6:46, And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, that my wife and I are here today. A short year ened thumb, he will say something like this:
and do not do what I say? I slowly came to ago, I had told my Protestant pastor that I was Repent and believe the Good News! I will
the following conclusion: If someone is se- going to pray for the Catholic people during gladly bear upon my brow the symbol of our
rious about obeying Christ, and if that person Lent, that they would come to know the Lord. precious Saviors life-giving death. This will
makes an honest and careful study of both Now, here I am in this Church, eyes clouding be the rst time I will have participated in
Scripture and Church history, he or she will with tears, heart lled with peace and wonder this solemn ceremony in ve years. It will be
ultimately feel compelled to come into the a Catholic once again. nearly one year to the day since I voiced my
bosom of the Catholic Church or suffer the I have become graciously undone. All commitment to pray for the Catholic people
utter misery of living a life of compromise. the things I thought I knew, all of my clever during Lent, that they might come to know
My return to the Church happened on reasons for ridiculing these people, lies mer- the Lord. Isnt it amazing how God answers
a quiet evening at the local monastery. There cifully in ruins behind me. Heaped there also prayer?
was no fanfare, no grand ceremony. I sincerely is my self-righteous facade, the victim of the
stated my intention to obey the teachings of Truth. This morning, with nothing else to
the Church by making a Profession of Faith, give God but my ragged self, I will offer that
and then went to confession with my fam- to Him again. In a short time, He will give
ily. Together with our fellow Catholics, we Himself to my wife and me in a very real way.
received our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament The priest will say, The Body of Christ, and
during a public Mass. After a four-year rejec- we will say, Amen! We will proclaim that
tion of the Eucharist, I could only weep. The
sublime nature of the moment was height-
ened by the realization that this Church was
marked by a small X on my map.
On the edge of the woods near the For Further Reading on the
monastery stands a statue of Jesus with arms
outstretched. A detail of this statue had caught
Issue of Sola Scriptura
my attention while compiling my map two
years earlier: the statue had no right hand. Henry G. Graham, Where We Got The Bible (San Diego, CA: Catholic
Such was my suspicion of the Church, that Answers)
this missing hand was proof to me of Romes
diabolical nature. The Bible had much to say Robert Sungenis, Not By Scripture Alone: A Catholic Critique of the
about the importance of Gods mighty right Protestant Doctrine of Sola Scriptura (Santa Barbara, CA: Queenship
hand, and here was a symbol of the Catholic
Publishing, 1998).
Churchs negation of Gods power. So, X Mark Shea, By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic
marked the spot. Tradition (Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 1996). his new book is
I pointed to the statue during one of my Making Senses Out of Scripture; Reading the Bible as the First Christians Did
rst meetings with the priest who brought (Encinitas, CA: Basilica Press)
me home. See, I challenged, Christ has
no right hand! Father Gabriel turned calmly John Henry Newman, On the Inspiration of Scripture, ed. J. Derek
towards me and said, Mark, you are His right Holmes and Robert Murray (Washington: Corpus Books, 1967).
hand. My thoughts turned to Mother Te-
William G. Most, Free from All Error (Libertyville, Ill.: Franciscan
resa and my own stumbling journey to this Marytown Press, 1985).
place, and conviction followed. I had been
so intent upon making God do my will that Peter M.J. Stravinskas, The Catholic Church and the Bible (San
I hadnt even considered following Christs
insistent call to humble service. The sheer
8 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
What is Truth?
An Examination of Sola Scriptura
By Dwight Longenecker

Pontius Pilate asked the basic question for all humanity when he asked Jesus, What is Truth? The
irony of the scene is powerful and poignant because the Eternal Truth stood before him incarnate as a
human person. In John 14 Jesus proclaimed, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Later in the gos-
pel Peter said, Where else shall we go Lord, but to you? You alone have the words of eternal life. So
the Christian answer to this profound question is that Jesus himself is the Truth. If you want the Truth,
come to him.

T his is something all Christians agree


on, but this answer does, however,
raise more questions: How do we come
spired and can be used to determine doctrine
and Christian behavior, it doesnt say that
Scripture is the ONLY authority for Gods
and simply understood from Scripturebut
they disagreed on the extras. However, when
I examined for myself what the different de-
to know Jesus as truth? How do we get truth. In fact, nowhere in the Bible do you nominations taught they not only disagreed
in touch with this Jesus who is truth? We nd such a thing stated. In addition, if this on little thingslike whether women should
need answers to specic questions, like what is the only evidence for biblical inspiration, wear hats to church, or whether you had to
should we believe? How shall we behave? another problem arises as soon as you start be baptized by immersion or sprinkling
How shall we run the church? Jesus may be to push things a little. but they also disagreed on important things,
the Truth, but how do we get hold of that The problem is this: 2 Timothy 3.16 like baptism in general, communion, how
truth? How do we know that what we believe states: All Scripture is given by inspiration of one can be saved, who was in charge of
is his truth? God... This is then used by many to prove the church, who was going to heaven, and
In my evangelical days, I was told the that Scripture is inspired. But how do we many other things. If Scripture was the only
truth was to be found in the Bible and in know that 2 Timothy 3.16 itself is inspired? legitamate source of authority, shouldnt the
the Bible alone. In my Fundamentalist This reasoning is circular. It goes like this: Churchor churchesbe united around
Bible lessons at Bob Jones University, I We believe the Bible. OK, why is that? one simple, clear teaching from Scripture?
memorized a famous and important verse, Because it is inspired. Why do we believe it is Another verse I was required to mem-
2 Timothy 3.16-17: All Scripture is given by inspired? Because the Bible says it is inspired orize was 2 Peter 1.20: No scripture is of
inspiration of God and is useful for doctrine, and we believe the Bible. OK, how do we any private interpretation, but holy men
for instruction, for correction and training in know the Bible is inspired? Because the Bible of God spake as the Holy Spirit instructed
righteousness so the man of God man be fully says it is inspired and we believe the Bible them. Obviously all the different Chris-
equipped for every good work. because it is inspired. Too much of this type tian denominations disagree because they
In other words, we believed that the Bi- of reasoning makes you dizzy. There has to all have different interpretations of the
ble was where we were to turn to learn what be a better answer. Biblewhich they each believe is the most
to believe and how to behave. And we were I then encountered another difculty by accurate. It struck me that if they all have
to believe the Bible because it is inspiredit the time I got to Bible college. I had always different interpretations of the Bible, then
is God-breathed. But there are some prob- been taught that the Bible was simple to un- they must be interpreting it on their own.
lems with this view. A simple problem is that derstand; that the basic gospel message was But 2 Peter 1.20 warns that the Bible must
since 2 Timothy 3.16-17 itself is a part of simple and straightforward. But if the gospel not be interpreted privately. Something was
the New Testament, it could not be referring message was so simple and straightforward, denitely wrong here.
to the New Testament. Paulin writing to then why were there so many different Chris- So I wound up with two basic prob-
Timothycould only have been talking tian denominations all in disagreement with lems:
about the Old Testament Scriptures. one another? 1. If the Bible is the only support for
But lets say for the sake of argument that When I asked one of my teachers, I was its own inspiration, then it is merely prov-
this text also refers to the New Testament. told that the different denominations agreed ing itself which is illogical. There has to be
While it certainly says that all Scripture is in- on the basicsthose things which were plain some other authority that can validate the

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 9


inspiration of the Bible. thingsa theological textbookabout that it was Gods intent that through the
2. If the Bible is the only source of God telling His people what they must Church the manifold wisdom of God should
authority for Christians, then why are the believe. Neither was it merely a set of rules be made known.
different churches so divided? Again there to be obeyed. Instead the Bible was rst and In other words it is through the Church
has to be some other authority which can foremost the story of Gods loving relation- that we learn the truth about Jesusnot just
decide how the Bible is to be understood. ship with humanity. through the Bible. It is by belonging to the
In both cases, therefore, I was driven to Furthermore, the same people who living body of Christthe Churchthat we
search for this authority. wrote the Scripturesused the Scriptures, come to understand and know the mystery
prayed the Scriptures and learned from the of Jesus Christ himself.
LIVE WITH DISAGREEMENTS? Scriptureschose which holy writings Paul says that the Church is the pillar
In the face of these questions, a lot of should be included as Scripture. Before and foundation of truth. So the Church is
people nowadays give up believing in the Christ was born the books of what we now the basis and the support for the truth. It is
inspiration of the Bible. About the disagree- call the Old Testament were well established. on the Church that the whole edice rests
ments in the Body of Christ they say, Well, During the rst century of Christianity the and is supported. Its no exaggeration to say
sometimes, this side of heaven, you just cant gospels and epistle letters were all written then that not only did the Church establish
be sure of the right interpretation. You have either by the apostles chosen by Christ or and validate the inspiration of the Bible,
to live with these disagreements. one of their disciples. By the mid-second and determine which specic books were
But can that be true? Is it possible that century, the early Christians were unan- to be considered inspired Scripture, but
Jesus called himself the Way, the Truth and imous in accepting the four gospels and that without the Church we wouldnt have
the Life, promised his apostles that they the thirteen letters of Paul. However, also a Bible at all.
would know the truth (John 8.32, 16.13, during these early centuries of the Church
etc.), commanded them to go out into all many, many other writings appeared vying ORAL TRADITION
the world to preach the gospel, if, at the end for equal acceptance as apostolic docu- But the Church did not pass on the
of the day, they and we cant really know ments. Different local churches accepted teaching of Christ only in written form.
what is true after all? Is it possible that we varying and sometimes contradictory lists From the earliest days the teaching was also
have a gospel to proclaim, but God hasnt of books as authority, until nally in 382 passed on in oral form. In his letters to the
provided a certain way for us to know what AD, at the Synod of Rome, a nal canon of young Bishop Timothy, Paul wrote, devote
that gospel consists of and how it is applied? the books of the Old and New Testaments yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to
Have we merely ended up like Pontius Pilate, was presented as authoritative. This is iden- preaching and to teaching. And, continue
shrugging our shoulders and saying cynically: tical to the list found in any contemporary in what you have learned... because you know
Ahh, what is truth anyway? Catholic Bible. those from whom you learned it and how from
There are, however, some excellent This, therefore, draws our attention to infancy you have known the holy Scriptures.
rock-solid answers for these questions. The another deep problem with sola scriptura. Paul here of course could only have been
Bible IS inspired, but the evidence for its Not only is the Bible itself impotent to referring to the Old Testament, which he
inspiration rests on something more than 2 prove its own inspiration or ensure its own therefore held as authoritative. But he also
Timothy 3.16. There is also a sure-re way interpretation, it could not specify exactly believed, however, that his own teaching,
to know the right interpretation of the Bible, which of the hundreds of books were to both written and preached, were to be taken
but the evidence for that sure interpretation be considered inspired Scripture. Another as authoritative for determining doctrine
is profound and goes to the very roots of God-given authority needed to do this, and and right Christian behavior. This is stated
Scripture itself. in the very words of the Synod of Rome we most clearly in Pauls Second Letter to the
see this authority identied: Now indeed we Thessalonians, 2.15:So then brothers, stand
THE PROBLEM OF THE CANON must treat of the divine Scriptures, what the rm and hold to the traditions we passed on
The Bible didnt just drop down out of universal Catholic Church accepts and what to you whether by word of mouth or by letter.
heaven. Although we believe it was inspired she ought to shun. So the teachings which Paul received from
by God, this inspiration happened through Jesus he passed on both in writing and by
real people in real situations in a real place THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH word of mouth.
and time. The Scriptures were written by In the inspired Scripturesthe canon There are many who believe that the
the people of God, for the people of God. of which, therefore, being determined by the word of mouth tradition lost its authority
They were read by the people of God, used Church under the guidance of the Holy Spir- as soon as the biblical books were written
to teach the people of God, and used for the itwe discover the very authority we need down, but it is signicant to recognize that
worship of the people of God. Maybe the to determine what is truth. In 1 Timothy in the very quote above, Paul acknowledges
best way to describe the Bible is to say that it 3.15, the Apostle Paul says something very that both sources of teaching existed side-
is the story of the relationship between God important: ...Gods church is the household by-side when he wrote to the Thessalonians.
and His peoplethe Churchboth the Old of the living God, the pillar and foundation We also see that while Paul was writing what
Testament Church and the New Testament of truth. would later be declared inspired Scripture,
Church. The Bible was never just a list of In Ephesians 3.10, he likewise taught he was not only receiving oral tradition from

10 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


others, but continuing to pass it on to his whole world. have no need that any one should teach
hearers: By this gospel you are saved if you This helps us answer the difficult you (1 Jn. 2.20-27)
hold rmly to the word I preached to youFor questionwhere do we turn for a faithful Therefore, they claim that have no need
what I received I passed on to you as of the rst interpretation of the Bible? Is there a body of a Church to teach them; they have the
importance.(I Corinthians 15. 2-3) of teaching which has been faithfully passed Holy Spirit within them. They claim that
Paul promotes the continuing impor- down from the apostles that would help us to they are not making any private interpretation
tance of the oral teaching as well as the interpret the Scriptures the right way? If such of Scripture, as Peter warned, but are inter-
written when he tells Timothy: What you a body of teaching exists then it provides a preting it through the Holy Spirit. But this
heard from me keep as the pattern of sound rich mine for us to turn to when we try to in not what either the apostles meant; the
teaching with faith and love in Jesus Christ: interpret the Scripture. If an ancient strand apostles are using their apostolic authority to
guard the good deposit which is entrusted to of teaching exists which goes back to the correct their Spirit-lled hearers sometimes
you. (2 Timothy 1.13) Elsewhere he praises apostles themselves, then we have not only erroneous interpretations.
the Corinthians for upholding the traditions the Scripture for a source book, but we have In 2 Peter 1.16-18, Peter claimed teach-
which I have passed on to you. (I Cor.11.2) a rich tapestry of teaching which helps us to ing authority because he was an eyewitness
Catholics believe that this ancient understand the Scripture. of Jesus life and glory, and received the truth
teaching of the apostles has been handed As Catholics, we believe that we have directly from Jesus. He then states in 3.2
on from generation to generation and kept just such a source for the proper inter- that the truth of God which was once was
alive by the constant and continual life of the pretation of the Bible. So when we have a delivered by the holy prophets was now given
Church. Did Paul think this oral teaching difcult question of biblical interpretation through the apostles.
was to be passed on? Paul said to Timothy in we dont just read the rest of the Bible to nd What is important to see here is that Pe-
2 Timothy 2.2: And the things you have heard the answer to the difcult question. We turn ter compares the role of the New Testament
me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to the tradition as preserved and protected apostles to the Old Testament prophets.
to reliable men who will also be qualied to by the Church to see what the people of God directly inspired the prophets. Their
teach others. In other words, he commanded God believed before us. Did they face the preaching was considered to be a direct
Timothy to hand on the oral tradition which same questions? How did they answer them? word from God to the people of God. The
he had received from Paul. Its interesting Did they face similar circumstances? How apostles, chosen and empowered by Christ,
that in this passage Paul is referring to four did they confront them? Did they face the are the God-inspired teachers of the New
generations of successionhis own, Timo- same doubts, problems, heresies and attacks? Testament people of God. When Peter says
thys, the people Timothy would teach and How did they stand up for the truth in their No prophecy of Scripture is of any private in-
the ones they would teach in turnwhich day? How can it help us determine the truth terpretation he means that only the Prophet
the Church would later identify as the pro- today? of Godthat is, the apostleis entitled and
cess of Apostolic Succession. empowered by the Holy Spirit to give the
THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY right interpretation.
THE DEPOSIT OF FAITH SPIRIT Paul agrees with him. In Ephesians 3.5
The documents of the early Church in The answer to these questions is based he says that the mystery of God has now
the years just after the death of the apostles on the belief that Jesus always keeps his been revealed by the Spirit to Gods holy
show that they believed their Church lead- promises. He promised that he would send apostles and prophets. And it is this same
ers had inherited a precious deposit of the Holy Spirit upon his apostles to guide Spirit-led group of men who are the founda-
faithboth in the writings of the apostles them into all truth (John 16.13). He also tion of the Church. So Paul says in 2.20 that
and in the oral traditions of the apostles. In promised that he would be with his followers the Ephesians are members of the Church,
about 95 A.D. Clement, the Bishop of Rome forever (John 14.16; Matt. 28.19). As a re- the household of God which is built on the
wrote to the Church at Corinth: the faith of sult, the Church has always believed that she foundation of the apostles and prophets with
the gospels is established and the tradition carries the responsibility of preserving and Christ Jesus as the chief corner stone. Jesus is
of the Apostles is revered. protecting the Truth as handed down from the corner stone of this Church, but it is the
Writing about the year 189 A.D. Ire- Jesus through his apostles, in both written apostles and the prophetsinspired by Gods
naeus, Bishop of Lyons, wrote: What if the and oral form. And this Spirit of Pentecost Holy Spiritwho provide the foundation for
apostles had not left writings to us? Would it is still poured out on the Churchguiding the Church. (Cf. Rev. 21.14)
not be necessary to follow the order of tradition and protecting and teaching. This verse fits together with Pauls
which was handed down to those to whom they Some, however, may point with con- other teaching that the Church is the pil-
entrusted the churches? Elsewhere Irenaeus dence to First John when he assured his lar and foundation of truth (I Tim 3.15)
also pointed out how important this ap- disciples: You have been anointed by the So the Churchbased on the teaching of
ostolic tradition is for people to know the Holy One, and you all know. I write to you, the apostleswhich was inspired to write
full truth. It is possible then for everyone in not because you do not know the truth, but the Scripture and inspired to choose which
every church who may wish to know the truth because you know it, and know that no lie books were to be included in the Bible, is
to contemplate the Traditions of the Apostles is of the truththe anointing which you also its chosen, Spirit-lled interpreter of
which has been made known throughout the received from him abides in you, and you Scripture.

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 11


these people already mentioned and later made continues to live within the Catholic bishops
WHERE DOES ONE FIND THIS APOS- further provision that if they should fall asleep who have received their ministry in direct
TOLIC CHURCH TODAY? other tested men should succeed to their minis- line from the apostles, passed down over the
If its true that the apostles were the try. So Clement of Rome believed that the last 2,000 years.
ones to interpret Scripture, and the apostolic apostlesone of whom, John, may still have Because of this direct link, Catholics
Church was therefore the one to interpret been alivehad wished for their teaching believe the Church has a living connection
Scripture, does that same apostolic authority ofce to be continued in the Church. with the apostolic authority, and that
exist today? If so, where can we nd it? Ignatius of Antioch was martyred in within the living apostolic tradition of the
We have seen that Paul explicitly hand- the year 115. In writing to the Trallian Catholic Church we can nd a rock-solid,
ed on his teaching authority to Timothy and Church he equates the Church presbyters sure, historic and unied body of teaching
commanded him to hand that authority on with apostles: Therefore it is necessary (as which illuminates and interprets the Bible
to others who would in turn hand it on to is your practice) that you should do nothing without fail.
their successors. But Timothy wasnt the without the bishop, but be also in subjection to
only one. Paul also sent Titus to Crete to the presbytery as to the apostles of Jesus Christ
establish the Church there. Calling Titus his our hope...
son in the faith, he said, The reason I left you And Irenaeus who wrote around 180 This is an edited version of Dwight Longe-
behind in Crete was for you to get everything AD also believed rmly that the Church neckers apologetics series for Londons Premier
organized there and to appoint presbyters in had inherited the authority of the apostles Radio. Dwight was brought up in an evangelical
every town the way I told you. And what kind to teach the truth faithfully. According to home and graduated from Bob Jones University.
of a man must this presbyter be? He must him it is because the Church leaders have in- He went on to study at Oxford and be ordained as
have a rm grasp of the unchanging tradition herited the apostolic authority that they can an Anglican minister in England. Five years ago
so that he can be counted on to expound sound interpret Scripture properly. So he writes, he and his family were received into the Catholic
doctrine. So in the New Testament we see By knowledge of the truth we mean: the teach-
Paul clearly setting up the Church with his ing of the Apostles; the order of the Church as
sons in the faith as his successors in the vari- established from earliest times throughout the
ous locations. world...preserved through the episcopal succes-
The writings of the early Church testify sion: for to the bishops the apostles committed
that the rst generation of Christians after the care of the Church in each place which
the apostles believed their Church leaders has come down to our own time safeguarded
had somehow inherited the same teaching by...the most complete exposition...the reading
authority that the apostles had. of the Scriptures without falsication and care-
So Clement, the Bishop of Rome, ful and consistent exposition of themavoiding
around 95 AD writes: The Apostles re- both rashness and blasphemy.
ceived the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Remembering that Paul handed on
Christ...and they went out full of condence his teaching authority to Timothy and
in the Holy spirit...and appointed their rst Titus, and seeing how through history that
fruits...to be bishops and deacons. Our apostles authority has been handed down from gen-
knew there would be strife on the question of eration to generation, Catholics believe that
the bishops ofce, Therefore, they appointed the dynamic and living teaching authority

How Firm A Foundation


By Marcus Grodi

Stephen LaPointe is a minister who loves Jesus, loves to preach, and considers the Bible as the one sufcient, rm
foundation for his life. He left a career to attend seminary because he wanted to devote his life to helping others experience
a true conversion of heart. He knows that one day he will stand before God accountable for what he preaches, and it is in
this conviction that his crisis begins, for how can he know for certain that what he preaches is eternally true? This crisis
threatens his calling as a minister, his marriage, and even his life.

(800) 664-5110 or www.hfaf.com


You can also obtain this book by sending your $14.95 donation to: CHNetwork PO Box 8290 Zanesville, OH 43702-8290

12 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


The Practical Problems
of Sola Scriptura
by James Akin

Simply stated, the Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura (Scripture alone) teaches that every teaching
in Christian theology (everything pertaining to faith and practice) must be able to be derived from
Scripture alone. This is expressed by the Reformation slogan Quod non est biblicum, non est theologicum
(What is not biblical is not theological, cf. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms: Drawn
Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology, Richard A. Muller, Baker, 1985).

A n essential part of this doctrine,


as it has been historically articu-
lated by Protestants, is that theology must
born again believer. There are simply too
many godly people who are very devout in
their faith in Jesus, but who are in no way
church government?) is itself an important
indicator of the practical failure of the
doctrine of private judgment, and thus the
be done without allowing Tradition or a inclined to become theologians. doctrine of sola scriptura. However, there is
Magisterium (teaching authority) any bind- Not only is the average Christian totally a whole set of practical presuppositions that
ing authority. If Tradition or a Magisterium disinclined to fulll the role of theologian, the doctrine of sola scriptura makes, every
could bind the conscience of the believer as but if they try to do so, and if they arrive one of which provides not just an argument
to what he was to believe then the believer at conclusions different than those of the against the doctrine, but a fatal blow to it.
would not be looking to Scripture alone as church they belong toan easy task con- Sola scriptura simply cannot be Gods plan
his authority. sidering the number of different theological for Christian theology.
A necessary corollary of the doctrine issuesthen they will quickly discover that In fact, it could never even have been
of sola scriptura is, therefore, the idea of an their right to private judgment amounts to thought to be Gods plan before a certain
absolute right of private judgment in the a right to shut up or leave the congregation. stage in European history because, as we
interpretation of the Scriptures. Each indi- Protestant pastors, even Luther and Calvin, will see, it could have only arisen after a
vidual has the nal prerogative to decide for have long realized that, although they must certain technological development which
himself what the correct interpretation of a preach the doctrine of private judgment, to was unknown in the ancient world. Before
given passage of Scripture means, irrespective ensure their own right to preach, they must that one development, nobody would have
of what anyone-or everyone-else says. If any- prohibit the exercise of this right in practice ever thought that sola scriptura could be the
one or even everyone else together could for others, lest the group be torn apart by principle God intended people to use, mean-
tell the believer what to believe, Scripture strife and nally break up. It is the failure of ing it was no accident that the Reformation
would not be his sole authority; something the prohibition of the right of private judg- occurred when it did. If God had intended
else would have binding authority. Thus, ment that has resulted in the over 20,000 the individual Christian to use sola scriptura
according to sola scriptura, any role Tradi- Christian Protestant denominations listed in as his operating principle then it would have
tion, a Magisterium, Bible commentaries, or the Oxford University Presss World Chris- to be something the average Christian could
anything else may play in theology is simply tian Encyclopedia. The disintegration of implement. We can therefore judge whether
to suggest interpretations and evidence to the Protestantism into so many competing fac- sola scriptura could have been Gods plan for
believer as he makes his decision. Each indi- tions, teaching different doctrines on key the individual Christian by asking whether
vidual Christian is thus put in the position theological issues (What kind of faith saves? the average Christian in world history could
of being his own theologian. Is baptism necessary? Is baptism for infants? have implemented it.
Must baptism be by immersion only? Can Not only that, but since God prom-
PRIVATE JUDGEMENT one lose salvation? How? Can it be gotten ised that the Church would never pass
Of course, we all know that the average back? How? Is the Real Presence true? Are out of existence (Matt. 16:18, 28:20), the
Christian does not exercise this role in any spiritual gifts like tongues and healing for normal Christian of each age must be able
consistent way, even the average person ad- today? For everyone? What about predes- to implement sola scriptura, including the
mitted by Fundamentalists to be a genuine, tination? What about free will? What about crucial patristic era, when the early Church

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 13


Fathers hammered out the most basic tenets decades after the invention of the printing alive and transported from the time the
of Christian orthodoxy. It is in this practical press. It took time for the idea of the print- peasants pay them to the time the printer
area that the doctrine comes crashing down, ing press to make its mark on the European gets them).
for it has a number of presuppositions which mind and get people excited about the idea
are in no way true of the average Christian of easily available books. It was in this heady PRESUPPOSITION #3
of world history, and certainly not of the atmosphere, the rst time in human history Third, if the average Christian is go-
average Christian of early Church history. when dozens of ancient works were being ing to read the Scriptures and decide for
mass produced and sold, that people sudden- himself what they mean, then he obviously
PRESUPPOSITION #1 ly got excited with the thought, Hey! We must be able to read. Having someone read
First, if each Christian is to make a could give copies of the Bible to everyone! them to him simply is not sufcient, not
thorough study of the Scriptures and decide Everyone could read the Scriptures for them- only because the person would only be able
for himself what they mean (even taking selves!a thought which led very quickly to do it occasionally (what with a bunch of
into consideration the interpretations of into sola scriptura in the minds of those who illiterates to read to), but also because the
others) then it follows that he must have wished to oppose historic Christian theology, person needs to be able to go over the pas-
a copy of the Scriptures to use in making as it would provide a justication for their sage multiple times. He must look at its exact
his thorough study (a non-thorough study own desire to depart from orthodoxy (Hey, wording and grammatical structure, quickly
being a dangerous thing, as any Protestant I read the Scriptures, and this is what they ip to other passages bearing on the topic to
apologist will tell you, warning against the said to me!). Of course, the invention of formulate the different aspects of a doctrine
cults and their Bible study tactics). Thus the printing press does not itself enable us to as he is thinking about it, and nally record
the universal application of sola scriptura give Bibles to every Christian in the world his insights so he doesnt forget them and
presupposes the mass manufacturing of (as all the calls for Bibles to be sent to Russia keep the evidence straight in his mind. He
books, and of the Bible in particular. illustrate), which leads to the next practical therefore must be literate and able to read
This, however, was completely impos- presupposition of sola scriptura. for himself. Thus sola scriptura presupposes
sible before invention of the printing press, universal literacy.
for without that there could not be enough PRESUPPOSITION #2
copies of the Scriptures for the individual Second, besides the printing press, PRESUPPOSTION #4
Christians to use. sola scriptura therefore sola scriptura also presupposes the universal Fourth, if the average Christian is go-
presupposes the inventing of the printing distribution of books and of the Bible in ing to make a study of what Scripture says
press, something that did not happen for the particular. For it is no good if enough copies and decide what it teaches, he must possess
rst 1,400 years of Church history. of the Bible exist but they cant be gotten into adequate scholarly support material, for he
It is often noted by even Protestant the hands of the average believer. Thus there must either be able to read the texts in the
historians that the Reformation could not must be a distribution network capable of original languages or have material capable
have taken off like it did in the early 1500s delivering affordable copies of the Bible to of telling him when there is a translation
if the printing press had not been invented the average Christian. This is the case today question that could affect doctrine (for
in the mid-1400s. This is more true than in the developed world. However, even today example, does the Greek word for baptize
they know, because the printing press not we cannot get enough Bibles into many lands mean immerse or does it have a broader
only allowed the early Protestant to mass due to economic and political restraints, as meaning? Does the biblical term for jus-
produce works containing their teachings the fund raising appeals of Bible societies and tify mean to make righteous in only a legal
about what the Bible meant, it allowed their stories of Bible smuggling inform us. sense or sometimes in a broader one?). He
the mass production of the Bible itself (as However, in the great majority of Christian must also have these scholarly support works
Catholics were already doingone does history, the universal distribution of books (commentaries and such) to suggest to him
realize, of course, that the Gutenberg Bible would have been totally impossible even in possible alternate interpretations to evaluate,
and the other versions of the Bible being what is now the developed world. During for no one person is going to be able to think
produced before Protestantism were all most of Church history, the developed of every interpretive option on every passage
Catholic Bibles). Without the ability to world was undeveloped. of Scripture that is relevant to every major
mass produce copies of the Scriptures for The political systems, economies, logis- Christian doctrine. No Protestant pastor
the individual Christians to interpret, the tical networks, and travel infrastructure that (at least no pastors who are not in extreme
doctrine of sola scriptura could not function, make the mass distribution of Bibles possible anti-intellectual circles) would dream of
since one would only have very limited ac- today simply did not exist for three-quarters formulating his views without such sup-
cess to the texts otherwise-via the Scripture of Church history. There was no way to get port materials, and he thus cannot expect
readings at Mass and the costly, hand-made the books to the peasants, and no way the the average Christian to do so either. Indeed!
copies of the Bible kept on public display at peasants could have afforded them in the The average Christian is going to need such
the church. Thus sola scriptura presupposes rst place. There just wasnt enough cash in support materials even more than a trained
the printing press. circulation (just try giving a printer 5,000 pastor. Thus sola scriptura also presupposes
This is a key reason why the Refor- chickens for the 1,000 Bibles he has just the possessionnot just the existenceof
mation happened when it didseveral printedmuch less keeping the chickens adequate support materials.

14 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


critical thinking skill, and anyone who has most importantly, who had printed Bibles!
PRESUPPOSTION #5 ever tried to teach basic, introductory logic The average Christian today, even the
Fifth, if the average Christian is to do to college students or anyone who had tried average Christian in the developed world,
a thorough study of the Bible for himself, to read and grade the persuasive essays they does not t that prole, and the average
then he obviously must have adequate time write for philosophy tests can tell you (Im Christian in world history certainly did
in which to do this study. If he is working speaking from personal experience here), not, much less the average Christian in the
in the elds or a home (or, later, in the fac- that level of critical thinking does not ex- early centuries. What this means, since God
tory) for ten, twelve, fteen, or eighteen ist in the average, literate, well-nourished, does not ask a person to do what they are in-
hours a day, he obviously doesnt have time modern college senior, much less the average, capable of doing, is that God does not expect
to do this, especially not in addition to the illiterate, malnourished, Medieval peasant. the average Christian of world history to use
care and raising of his family and his own This is especially true when it comes to the sola scriptura. He expects the average Chris-
need to eat and sleep and recreate. Not abstract concepts and truth claims involved tian to obtain and maintain his knowledge
even a Sunday rest will provide him with in philosophy and theology. Thus sola scrip- of theology in some other way.
the adequate time, for nobody becomes tura also presupposes a high level of universal But if God expects the average Christian
adept in the Bible just by reading the Bible education in critical thinking skills (a level to obtain and maintain the Christian faith
on Sundaysas Protestants stress to their which does not even exist today). without using sola scriptura, then sola scrip-
own members when encouraging daily Bible Therefore sola scriptura presupposes tura is not Gods plan.
reading. Thus sola scriptura presupposes the (1) the existence of the printing press, (2)
universal possession of adequate leisure time the universal distribution of Bibles, (3)
in which to make a thorough study the Bible universal literacy, (4) the universal pos-
for oneself. session of scholarly support materials, (5)
the universal possession of adequate time James Akin is a convert from conser-
PRESUPPOSITION #6 for study, (6) universal nutrition, and (7) vative Presbyterianism. He is senior apologist
Sixth, even if a Christian had adequate a universal education in a high level of at Catholic Answers in San Diego and author of
time to study the Bible sufciently, it will critical thinking skills. Needless to say, Mass Confusion: The Dos and Donts of Catholic
do him no good if he doesnt have a diet this group of conditions was not true in Worship.
sufciently nutritious to let his brain func- the crucial early centuries of the Church,
tion properly and his mind work clearly. was not true through the main course of
This is something we often forget today Church history, and is not even true today.
because our diets are so rich, but for most The non-existence of the printing press alone
of Christian history the average person had means sola scriptura was totally unthinkable
barely enough food to survive, and it was for almost three-quarters of Christian his-
almost all bread. Everything else, as the tory! All of this is besides the limitations
British historian James Burke put it, was we mentioned earlierthe fact that the
just something you ate with breadas a average Christian, even the average devout
condiment or side-dish. This means that the Christian has no inclination whatsoever to
average Christian of world history was mal- conduct the kind of Bible study needed to
nourished, and as any public school dietitian become his own theologian and the fact that
can tell you, malnutrition causes an inability he is encouraged by many pressures from
to study and learn properly. That is one of his own pastor and congregation (including
the big motivating forces behind the school the threat of being cast out) to fall in line
lunch program. If kids dont eat right, they and not challengeespecially publicly chal-
dont study right, and they dont learn right, lengethe party platform.
because they dont think clearly. The same
is true of Bible students. Thus sola scriptura CHRISTIANITY FOR THE COMMON
also presupposes universal nutrition. MAN?
It is thus hard to think of sola scriptura
PRESUPPOSTION #7 as anything but the theory spawned by a
Seventh, if the average Christian is go- bunch of idealistic, Renaissance-era dilet-
ing to evaluate competing interpretations tantespeople who had an interest in being
for himself then he must have a signicant their own theologians, who had a classical
amount of skill in evaluating arguments. He education in critical thinking skills, who had
must be able to recognize what is a good adequate nutrition, who had plenty of leisure
argument and what is not, what is a fallacy time for study, who had plenty of scholarly
and what is not, what counts as evidence support materials, who had good reading
and what does not. That is quite a bit of skills, who had access to Bible-sellers, and

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 15


The Perspicuity (Clearness) of Scripture
by David Armstrong

Martin Luther stated the classic Protestant understanding of the perspicuity of Scripture in his own favorite
(and arguably most important) writing, The Bondage of the Will (from tr. by Henry Cole, Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Book House, 1976, pp. 25-7,29; emphasis in original):

But, that there are in the Scriptures some things abstruse, and that all things are not quite plain, is a
report spread abroad by the impious Sophists; by whose mouth you speak here, Erasmus . . .

This indeed I confess, that there are many places in the Scriptures obscure and abstruse; not from
the majesty of the things, but from our ignorance of certain terms and grammatical particulars; but
which do not prevent a knowledge of all the things in the Scriptures . . .

All the things, therefore, contained in the Scriptures, are made manifest, although some places, from
the words not being understood, are yet obscure . . .And, if the words are obscure in one place, yet
they are clear in another . . . For Christ has opened our understanding to understand the Scriptures
...

Therefore come forward, you and all the Sophists together, and produce any one mystery which is
still abstruse in the Scriptures. But, if many things still remain abstruse to many, this does not arise
from obscurity in the Scriptures, but from their own blindness or want of understanding, who do
not go the way to see the all-perfect clearness of the truth . . . Let, therefore, wretched men cease to
impute, with blasphemous perverseness, the darkness and obscurity of their own heart to the all-
clear scriptures of God . . .

If you speak of the internal clearness, no man sees one iota in the Scriptures, but he that hath the
Spirit of God . . . If you speak of the external clearness, nothing whatever is left obscure or am-
biguous; but all things that are in the Scriptures, are by the Word brought forth into the clearest
light, and proclaimed to the whole world.

T his is what I call the sin expla-


nation, which is often brought
forth to account for the obvious fact that
gelical, Reformation Protestants agree
with Luthers sentiments above totally or
perspicuity is usually said to apply to doc-
trines essential for salvation. Accordingly, it
follows that whatever is necessary for salvation
largely and hold to the view thatwhen
agreement on Scriptural content and mean- all is said and donethe Bible is basically can be found in the Bible by any literate in-
ing on many, many doctrines has never perspicuous (able to be clearly understood) in dividual without the requisite assistance of
been achieved by Protestantism, to put it and of itself, without the absolute necessity an ecclesiastical body. This is presupposed
very mildly. It is woefully inadequate, and for theological teaching, scholarly inter- in, for example, the widespread practice of
I assert that Luthers principle crumbles in pretation, and the authority of the Church passing out Bibles to the newly evangelized,
light of the factual considerations below. (however dened). oftentimes with no provision made for further
One cannot invoke sin as the all-encom- This is not to say that Protestants are guidance and supervision.
passing reason for Christian disagreement (as consciously taught to ignore Christian But what could possibly be imagined
Luthertypicallydoes). That is absurdly historical precedent altogether and shun as more fatal to this abstract view than
simplistic as well as clearly uncharitable and theological instruction (although, sadly, more than 20,000 denominations? The
judgmental. the tendency of a-historicism and anti-intel- Bible is indeed more often than not quite
Most conservative, classical, evan- lectualism is strong in many circles). Rather, clear when approached open-mindedly

16 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


and with a moral willingness to accept its Words, This is My Body was published cerning baptism, where Protestants are split
teachings. I assume this myself, even as a at Ingolstadt, Germany. This is the fruit of into infant and adult camps. Furthermore,
Catholic. But in actual fact many Christians perspicuity, and it was quick to appear. the infant camp contains those who accept
(and also heretics or cultists) distort and Protestants will often maintain that baptismal regeneration (Lutherans, Anglicans,
misunderstand the Bible, or at the very the Eucharist and baptism, for instance, are and to some extent, Methodists), as does the
least, arrive at contradictory, but sincerely neither primary nor essential doctrines. This adult camp (Churches of Christ and Dis-
held convictions. This is the whole point is curious, since these are the two sacraments ciples of Christ). Regeneration absolutely
from the Catholic perspective. Error is that the majority of Protestants accept. Jesus has a bearing on salvation, and therefore is
necessarily present wherever disagreements said (John 6:53): Unless you eat the esh of a primary doctrine. The Salvation Army and
existclearly not a desirable situation, as all the Son of man and drink his blood, you have the Quakers dont baptize at all (and neither
falsehood is harmful (for example, John 8: no life in you. This certainly sounds essential, celebrate the Eucharist). Thus, there are ve
44, 16:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 John even to the extent that a mans salvation distinct competing belief-systems among
4:6). Perspicuity (much like Protestantism as might be in jeopardy. St. Paul, too, regards Protestants with regard to baptism.
a whole) might theoretically be a good thing communion with equally great seriousness Scripture seems to clearly refer to bap-
in principle, and on paper, but in practice it and of the utmost importance to ones spiri- tismal regeneration in Acts 2:38 (forgiveness
is unworkable and untenable. tual well-being and relationship with Jesus of sins), 22:16 (wash away your sins), Romans
Yet Protestant freedom of conscience is Christ (1 Corinthians 10:14-22, 11:23-30). 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5 (he saved
valued more than unity and the certainty Thus we are already in the realm of salvation us, . . . by the washing of regeneration), and
of doctrinal truth in all matters (not just - a primary doctrine. Lutherans and many other passages.
the core issues alone). The inquirer with Anglicans (for example, the Oxford Trac- For this reason, many prominent
newfound zeal for Christ is in trouble if he tarians and C.S. Lewis), believe in the Real Protestant individuals and denominations
expects to easily attain any comprehensive Presence, whereas most evangelicals do not, have held to the position of baptismal
certainty within Protestantism. All he can do yet this is not considered cause for alarm or regeneration, which is anathema to the
is take a head count of scholars, pastors, even discomfort. Baptist / Presbyterian / Reformed branch of
evangelists, and Bible Dictionaries and see Protestantism--the predominant evangelical
who lines up where on the various sides of SOTERIOLOGY outlook at present. We need look no further
the numerous disagreements. Or else he can Protestants also differ on other soterio- than Martin Luther himself, from whom
just uncritically accept the word of whatever logical issues. Most Methodists, Anglicans, all Protestants inherit their understanding
denomination he is associated with. In effect, Lutherans, pentecostals, some Baptists, and of both sola scriptura and faith alone (sola
then, he is no better off than a beginning many non-denominationalists and other de) as the prerequisites for salvation and
philosophy student who prefers Kierkegaard groups are Arminian and accept free will and justication. Luther largely agrees with the
to Kantthe whole procedure (however well the possibility of falling away from salvation Catholic position on sacramental and regen-
intentioned) is arbitrary and destined to pro- (apostasy). On the other hand, Presbyterians, erative infant baptism:
duce further confusion. Reformed and a few Baptist denominations
and other groups are Calvinist and deny Little childrenare free in every way,
MERELY SECONDARY ISSUES free will and the possibility of apostasy for secure and saved solely through the glory
The usual Protestant reply to this cri- the elect. In contrast to the former denomi- of their baptismThrough the prayer
tique is that denominations differ mostly over nations, the latter groups have a stronger of the believing church which presents
secondary issues, not fundamental or central view of the nature of original sin, and deny it,the infant is changed, cleansed,
doctrines. This is often and casually stated, that the Atonement is universal. and renewed by inpoured faith. Nor
but when scrutinized, it collapses under its Traditional, orthodox Methodism (fol- should I doubt that even a godless
own weight. Right from the beginning, the lowing founder John Wesley) and many adult could be changed, in any of the
fault lines of Protestantism appeared when high church Anglicans have had views sacraments, if the same church prayed
Zwingli and Oecolampadius (two lesser Re- of sanctication (that is, the relationship for and presented him, as we read of the
formers) differed with Luther on the Real of faith and works, and of Gods enabling paralytic in the Gospel, who was healed
Presence, and the Anabaptists dissented on and preceding grace and mans coopera- through the faith of others (Mark 2:
the Eucharist, infant baptism, ordination, tion) akin to that of Catholicism. These are 3-12). I should be ready to admit
and the function of civil authority. Luther re- questions of how one repents and is saved that in this sense the sacraments of the
garded these fellow Protestants as damned (justication) and of what is required after- New Law are efcacious in conferring
and out of the Church for these reasons. wards to either manifest or maintain this grace, not only to those who do not, but
Reformers John Calvin and Martin Bucer salvation (sanctication and perseverance). even to those who do most obstinately
held to a third position on the Eucharist Thus, they are primary doctrines, even by present an obstacle (The Babylonian
(broadly speaking), intermediate between Protestant criteria. Captivity of the Church, 1520, from
Luthers Real Presence (consubstantiation) the translation of A.T.W. Steinhauser,
and Zwinglis purely symbolic belief. By BAPTISM Philadelphia: Fortress Press, rev. ed.,
1577, the book 200 Interpretations of the The same state of affairs is true con- 1970, p.197).

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 17


1979, p.873). baptize infants, although they vehemently
Likewise, in his Large Catechism (1529), deny that this causes regeneration, whereas
Luther writes: The venerable John Wesley, founder Baptists dont). Since most Protestants are
of Methodism, who is widely admired by unwilling to anathematize other Protestants,
Expressed in the simplest form, the Protestants and Catholics alike, agreed, too, perspicuity dissolves into a boiling cauldron
power, the effect, the benet, the fruit that children are regenerated (and justied of incomprehensible contradictions, and as
and the purpose of baptism is to save. initially) by means of infant baptism. From such, must be discarded or at the very least
No one is baptized that he may become this position he never wavered. In his Articles seriously reformulated in order to harmonize
a prince, but, as the words declare [of of Religion (1784), which is a revised ver- with the Bible and logic.
Mark 16:16], that he may be saved. sion of the Anglican Articles, he retains an Whether one accepts the Tradition and
But to be saved, we know very well, abridged form of the clause on baptism (No. teachings of the Catholic Church or not, at
is to be delivered from sin, death, and 17), stating that it is a sign of regeneration, least it courageously takes a stand on any
Satan, and to enter Christs kingdom or the new birth. given doctrine and refuses to leave whole
and live forever with himThrough areas of theology and practice perpetually
the Word, baptism receives the power THE IRRESOLVABLE PROTESTANT up for grabs, at the mercy of the priest-
to become the washing of regeneration, DILEMMA hood of scholars and the individuals private
as St. Paul calls it in Titus 3:5Faith The doctrine of baptism in particular, as judgmentwhich in turn often reduces to
clings to the water and believes it to be well as other doctrinal disputes mentioned mere whim, fancy, or subjective preference,
baptism which effects pure salvation above, illustrate the irresolvable Protestant usually divorced from considerations of
and life dilemma with regard to its fallacious notion Christian history and consensus. For this so-
When sin and conscience oppress of perspicuity. Again, the Bible is obviously called dogmatism and lack of exibility,
usyou may say: It is a fact that I am not perspicuous enough to efciently elimi- the Catholic Church is often reviled and de-
baptized, but, being baptized, I have nate these differences, unless one arrogantly spised. But for those of us who are seeking
the promise that I shall be saved and maintains that sin always blinds those in op- to be faithful to Christ within its fold, this is
obtain eternal life for both soul and posing camps from seeing obvious truths, regarded, to the contrary, as its unique glory
bodyHence, no greater jewel can which even a plowboy (Luthers famous and majesty, much preferable to the morass
adorn our body or soul than baptism; phrase) ought to be able to grasp. Obviously, of competing truth-claims (i.e., relativism)
for through it perfect holiness and salva- an authoritative (and even infallible) inter- which prevail within Protestantism (even
tion become accessible to us(From ed. preter is needed whether or not the Bible among the subgroup of evangelicals).
by Augsburg Publishing House, Min- is perspicuous enough to be theoretically Orthodox Catholics believe that Chris-
neapolis, 1935, sections 223-224,230, understood without help. Nothing could tians can place full condence in the rmly-
pp.162, 165). be clearer than that. Paper infallibility is no established Tradition which is found not only
substitute for conciliar and/or papal infal- in Holy Scripture, but in the received doctrines
Anglicanism concurs with Luther on libility, or at least an authoritative denomi- of the Catholic Church, appointed by our Lord
this matter. In its authoritative Thirty-Nine national (Creedal / Confessional) authority, Jesus Christ as the Guardian and Custodian of
Articles (1563, language revised 1801), Ar- if nothing else. the faith which was once for all delivered to the
ticle 27, Of Baptism, reads as follows: The conclusion is inescapable: either saints (Jude 3).
biblical perspicuity is a falsehood or one
Baptism is not only a sign of profession, or more of the doctrines of regeneration,
and mark of difference, whereby Chris- justication, sanctication, salvation, elec-
tian men are discerned from others that tion, free will, predestination, perseverance, Dave Armstrong was received into the
be not christened, but it is also a sign eternal security, the Atonement, original sin, Catholic Church in 1991 from Evangelical
of Regeneration or New-Birth, whereby, the Eucharist, and baptism, all ve points Protestantism. His complete conversion story
as by an instrument, they that receive of Calvinism (TULIP) and issues affecting can be found in Surprised by Truth.
Baptism rightly are grafted into the the very gospel itselfare not central. Prot-
Church; the promises of the forgiveness estants cant have it both ways.
of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons Or, of course, people like Martin Luther
of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly (due to his beliefs in the Real Presence and
signed and sealed; Faith is conrmed, baptismal regeneration), John Wesley, C.S.
and Grace increased by virtue of prayer Lewis, and entire denominations such as
unto God. Methodists, Anglicans, Lutherans, Churches
The Baptism of young Children is in of Christ, various Pentecostal groups, and
any wise to be retained in the Church, the Salvation Army can be read out of the
as most agreeable with the institution Christian faith due to their unorthodoxy, as
of Christ. (From The Book of Com- dened by the self-proclaimed mainstream
mon Prayer, NY: The Seabury Press, evangelicals such as Baptists, Presbyterians
and Reformed (even so the last two groups
18 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
Pastor, Can I Ask You Something?
by Marcus C. Grodi
Those of you who were pastors know from experience your need to steel yourselfto baton down the
hatches and get the women and children belowwhenever certain parishioners begin a question with
these seemingly innocent words. The following is such an experience, taken from a novel I recently
completed entitled, Be Thou My Vision.
The scene takes place at the monthly board meeting of First Congregational Church. The recently hired
Reverend Stephen LaPointe has just conveyed his plans for the upcoming new members classes, when
he is interrupted by a concerned board member.

S tephen began to sit down, but was


stopped in mid-position. Pastor,
can I ask you something? Im a bit hesi-
hear what sticky question Larry would
pose to the pastor this time.
As you know we used to be Cath-
our salvation?
Yes, basically. Stephen wasnt sure
where this was going, but also didnt an-
tant to do it here with this peanut gallery olics, and thank God were here now. ticipate a question he couldnt answer.
ready to jump down my throat, but theres Larry gave an exaggerated sigh of relief, Then two things, which as I said have
something thats been bothering me ever which he was sure everyone would fully bothered me for quite a while. First, if the
since we joined in 87. Larry Barker, a understand. Ever since our conversion, Bible is the sole source of what we must
successful insurance salesman in his late Sue and I have both become rabid Bible believe, then where does it specically say
forties, and his wife Sue, who was most of- readers. Were not Bible scholars by any this? I mean, for something so important
ten seen at the local tennis club, had joined means, so dont get me wrong, but lets and foundational youd think it would be
the church after attending an interdenomi- just say Ive read the Bible more times in stated very clearly?
national charismatic prayer meeting held the last ten years than in the entire rst Well, Stephen knew immediately
weekly in the basement of the local Pres- forty years of my life. And I know that where to turn, for invariably he had to
byterian Church. This changed their lives, one of the main tenants that separates us explain this foundational Protestant belief
and brought new spiritual vitality to their as Reformation Protestants from Roman to every New Members class. It says this
seemingly dead life-long Catholic faith. Catholics is that we believe in the Bible most clearly in Second Timothy 3.16 and
They had what they called a powerful alone as the sole foundation for what we 17. Here pass me your Bible, I forgot mine
born-again experience, and when they believe. Isnt that true? tonight. This brought some snickers from
couldnt get their priest to understand Yes, Stephen responded hoping the group because they knew Stephen was
or offer a sympathetic ear, they started this wouldnt take too long, thats what making a joke on himselfhe who was
looking for somewhere else to worship. Protestants generally believe. As you all such an avid advocate of the Bible yet now
They tried almost every church in town know, different Protestant groups hold to was found bare without one.
before they ended up here at First Con- this truth in different ways and interpret Second Timothy reads, All Scripture
gregational at the Wednesday night Bible the Bible differently. You also realize that is inspired by God and protable for teaching,
study. They immediately knew they had not all Congregationalists today hold this for reproof, for correction, and for training
found their new spiritual home, and have truth as strongly as we once did. But yes, in righteousness, that the man of God may
been two of the most active members ever that is at least what we believe here at First be complete, equipped for every good work.
since. Their enthusiasm has never waned, Congregational. It has traditionally been Another translation for the Greek word
and they have also remained two of the called the doctrine of sola scripturaScrip- which is translated here as protable is the
most well liked members of the church. ture alone. word sufcient. All Scripture is therefore
Sue continues to spend most of her free Fine, so if I get this straight, this inspired and sufcient for teaching, et
time at the tennis center, but now talks to book, holding up the leather covered cetera. There are other verses, especially
everyone about her new found faith. Bible Larry almost always carried when- where Jesus quotes Old Testament Scrip-
Fighting through guffaws all around, ever he came to church, inspired by God, tures and where New Testament authors
Larry quipped, All right, all right, back is to be the sole foundation for all that we discourage believers from relying on the
off. The peanut gallery quieted down to must believe and practice, especially for traditions of men, that solidify our belief
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 19
in the Bibles sufciency. In Hebrews 4:12, reason he had never noticed that passage and in the future, in whom the Holy Spirit
for example, we read, and as he read he before. He hadnt underlined it in his own dwells and therefore where Gods Word
gesticulated with the Bible to emphasize Bible. He had underlined several passages and Gods truth are rightly interpreted,
that it was this book to which the author above it about the duties of bishops and taught and believed.
was referring, For the word of God is liv- deacons, and he had underlined the next Larry, I hope this quick response
ing and active, sharper than any two-edged passage in which Paul recites one of the answers your questions. If you want we
sword, piercing to the division of soul and oldest Christian creeds: Great indeed, we can talk more about this another time.
spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning confess, is the mystery of our religion: He With Larrys nod, Stephen handed back
the thoughts and intentions of the heart. was manifested in the esh, vindicated in his Bible, and for a very brief moment
From this and other passages we hold that the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among they played a little tug of war with it as
the Bible is Gods gift to His people, able the nations, believed on in the world, taken Stephen had an uncanny desire to look at
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to up in glory. But it was as if he had always that verse again.
lead them into all truth. skimmed past what was written in verse Stephen then turned his attention back
Often in the Bible we are encouraged fteen, and right at this moment, he didnt to Bill, the board president, Thats really
to look to the Bible as the source for our know what to say to Larry and the rest of all Ive got to say about the New Members
faith. In John 5:39 we are called to search the board. class. Please let me know if you have ques-
the Scriptures, and in the end of John, And the board, especially Larry and tions about any of the resources on the
chapter 20 verse 31, we are told, Stephen Bill, noticed Stephens hesitation. table.
said paraphrasing in his own words, that Stephen gathered his wits and pre- Stephen sat down feeling fairly satis-
the Scriptures were written that we might sented his answer. The problem with ed with his answer to Larrys query, which
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of interpreting texts like this, especially when was essentially his pat answer about what
God, and that believing we might have life we compare a text from one New Testa- the New Testament authors meant when
in his name. ment book with a text from another New they used the term church. Yet he was
Then you would, therefore, say that Testament book, is that its hard to always still troubled by that verse. It jumped out
the Bible is the pillar and bulwark of the understand what these rst century writers at him too much, it even startled him. He
truth. meant by their terms, especially now nearly really felt like he had never seen that verse
Yes, that is a good way to put it, two thousand years later. When Paul wrote before, and couldnt wait to have time to
Stephen quickly responded, pleased with to Timothy that the church of the living study it more carefully, especially in the
the creativity of this avid believing church God is the pillar and bulwark of the truth, original Greek.
member. he had no inkling what the word church Bill stood for a moment looking at
Then, secondly, why does the Bible would come to mean over the succeeding their new pastor, feeling a tinge of that
itself claim something different? Please centuries. How certain leaders in the unidentiable uncomfortablness he had
turn to almost the same verse in the First churches of major cities would eventually sensed with Reverend LaPointe during
letter of Paul to Timothy, chapter 3, verse ght with each other for control until dur- the interview process. And besides, both
15, and please read it if you would. ing the time of Constantine the Church Larrys question and Reverend LaPointes
Stephen turned back wondering what of Rome was declared by his authority as answer troubled him, but he would need to
specically Larry was referring to. He of Caesar the ofcial religion of the Roman wait until later to gure this out. Regaining
course had read the New Testament people, and the bishop of Rome the head his composure, Bill addressed the board:
through many times, both during and after of the Church. He also didnt anticipate Lets get on now to the sticky wicket of
seminary, and therefore wasnt anticipat- that this term would because equated our agenda: are we as a church going to
ing anything strange. When he found the with the growing and powerful hierarchy take part in this years ecumenical Good
page in Larrys Bible he thumbed down of Pope and bishops, and he of course also Friday service which is scheduled to take
until he found this verse, which had been didnt anticipate the eventual Reformation place at Holy Name Catholic Parish.
heavily underlined. A question mark fol- and the now hundreds of groups that call

lowed by an exclamation mark had been themselves churches. What he surely
written in the margin. He quickly read the meant at that time and what we believe Larry Barker sat up fairly late in his
verse to himself, and then began reading it today, he said, as a voice inside asked him living room, in the dark, holding his now
out loud, when it nally struck him what who he meant by we, is that the church cold coffee mug with both hands, staring
Larry was getting at. is not made up of physical structures and into the traditional Catholic painting of
As he nished reading, he realized that hierarchies of bishops and leaders, nor Jesus hung over the mantel. It had been a
his reading had slowed down, with each even a specic list of members names on gift from his mother who died last winter.
word being pronounced with a more quiet a myriad of church membership roles. No, She had been devastated by his conversion
and cautious emphasis. He paused for an- the church is the invisible body of believers to Protestantism, and though he and Sue
other moment, as he realized that for some all around the world, both now, in the past had removed every other sign of their ex-
20 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
Catholicism from their house, they had left back into the thirteenth century world of and a more loose paraphrase called the Liv-
this picture, more in honor of his mother one of her favorite mystery novels, built ing Bible. He also checked the reading in
than anything. around the detective prowess of a Car- the old St. Josephs New American Bible,
As he gazed at this portrayal of Jesus thusian monk named Caedfel. Ever since which he had received when he was con-
pointing to a representation of his heart the board meeting last night, Bill had rmed as a Catholicjust to see how the
on his chest, Larry could not shake how wanted to get back into the Scriptures to Catholic translators might have slanted
disturbed he was at Reverend LaPointes reexamine the question Larry had posed to their rendition. But there was little differ-
obviously weak and patronizing response Reverend LaPointewhich he felt had not ence in the translations. They all basically
to his very important question. Why didnt been answered well. It seemed that Pastor said what his supposedly most literal New
Reverend LaPointe see what he saw? There Stephen hesitated too much at rst, and American Standard Bible stated:
before him was a strange Catholic artifact then his answer didnt really make clear
which he had rejected by asking OK, sense out of the text. I am writing these things to you,
where in the Bible does it say we are to For a self-trained layman, Bill had be- hoping to come to you before long;
give devotion to Jesus Sacred Heart? And come quite an astute biblical scholar. This but in case I am delayed, I write so
since he could nd no references to Jesus had certainly not come from his Catholic that you may know how one ought
heart let alone devotion to his Sacred heart, upbringing. It instead had begun under to conduct himself in the household
Larry concluded this was another Catholic the tutelage of their former pastor, Rev- of God, which is the church of the
idolatrous invention and therefore to be erend Tom Dunam. After his dramatic living God, the pillar and support of
rejected. conversion, Bills faith had been rejuve- the truth.
But then he had been drawn to ask a nated through Reverend Toms preaching
very simple and sincere question, which and teaching. He learned how to study the As he sat staring at the various trans-
should have a very simple, sincere answer: Bible for the rst time in his life, and in lations, the rst thing that struck him was
where in the Bible does it say I have to nd answer to his enthusiasm, Reverend Tom that the apostle Paul had decided to write
it in the Bible? Where does the Bible teach taught Bill the basic Bible study techniques this letter to Timothy as a precautionary
sola scriptura? He searched, and searched, he had learned in seminary. Though he measurenot as his primary or preferred
but could nd it clearly stated no where. couldnt actually read the original biblical means of teaching Timothy. Paul was
On the contrary he came across that languages, Bill had taught himself how to hoping and planning to visit Timothy in
statement in 1 Timothy which claimed parse, breakdown and interpret the text of person, to teach him face to face. But just
the Church was the pillar and bulwark of the Greek New Testament through the use in case he couldnt make it, he penned this
truth. The Church? Which church? of numerous guides, dictionaries, concor- letter to pass along some guidance on how
He also came across a verse in Second dances and grammars. people ought to behave as Christians.
Thessalonians where Paul commanded the Placed before him were several English Bill stopped a moment to silently
Christians to stand rm and hold to the translations of the Bible, the Nestle-Aland thank the Holy Spirit for the delay nearly
traditions which you were taught by us, EI- Greek-English New Testament, a Greek- two thousand years ago that led Paul to
THER BY WORD OF MOUTH OR BY English dictionary, and a concordance. He write this letter, otherwise the world would
LETTER.. Traditions? By word of mouth was determined to spend as much time as not have known a word of these instruc-
as well as letter? How does this translate was necessary, even if all night, to get to tions. As he meditated on this, he pictured
into what we now call the Bible? And for the bottom of that verse in First Timothy. Paul sitting hunched over a wooden table
these rst century Christiansin fact for Somehow he sensed that there was some- in a prison cell beside a dim oil lamp, writ-
the rst three centuries of Christians who thing very signicant in Larrys question, ing these words with a sharpened feather
lived their faith before the canon of Scrip- that challenged the fact that he was now a quill on a rough roll of parchment held
tures was nally decidedhow did sola Congregationalist, and no longer a Roman down by small stones at each corner.
scriptura dene and guide their beliefs? Catholic. Then this picture faded into a picture
Larry sat there alone, not really doubt- First he paused to pray silently, to ask of Paul sitting more casually beside this
ing his escape from the Catholic Church, for the Holy Spirits guidance as he tack- same table but now across from his young
yet wondering whether the grounds for do- led this Scriptural conundrum. He turned friend Timothy, the two of them laughing
ing so were as solid as he once thought. to chapter three, verses 14 and 15 in his and sharing chalices of winefor wasnt
favorite black leather bound Revised Stan- this Pauls advice near the end of this very

dard Version, and then compared it to the letter? As Bill envisioned this encounter
[Later the next evening] Bill Walker other versions before himan old King it came to him that Paul would probably
turned on the brass desk light in his private James version, a modern paperbound New have said a whole lot more to Timothy
attic study. The dinner dishes had been International Version, an extremely literal then he could have written on that small
washed, dried and stowed, and Maddie version called the New American Standard parchment. Did Paul summarize everything
had retreated to their bedroom to escape Bible which Reverend Tom had given him, that was necessary in this very short letter?
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 21
Possibly. Or was this just a quick intro- Paul teaching Timothy melded together gogue and church gatherings. In every way
duction to the more detailed list of things he to form a composite that represented in his he was dependent upon oral teaching.
hoped to deliver once he arrived? mind how the truth of the Christian faith which are able to instruct you for
Bill turned to the Second Letter that was passed on from Apostle to teacher to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote Timothy, and read the verse preacher to congregationsboth by word But the Old Testament is NOT that
most commonly used to defend sola scrip- of mouth and by writing. Bill continued to clear about how one is saved through
tura, chapter 3 verse 16. mull these thoughts over, thinking about faith in Jesus Christ. One needs the New
all three verses at once, and he envisioned Testament to fully understand this! So if
All Scripture is inspired by God and their interrelationship: the faith of these Timothy and the other early Christians
protable for teaching, for reproof, early Christians was built on the sure foun- didnt have a written New Testament yet,
for correction, and for training in dation of the Old Testament Scripturesthe how could they know how to interpret the
righteousness, that the man of God Law and the Prophets. But what was written Old Testament correctly and adequately to
may be complete, equipped for every in them needed to be applied to their new lead them to Jesus?
good work. situation in Christtheir Prophetic refer- As Bill asked himself these questions,
ences to the coming Messiah needed to be he turned back to the original text in First
All Scripture, Bill thought, all Scrip- explained so that they could be understood Timothy and began reading:
ture? When Timothy received this letter to refer to Jesus. This was part of what was the church of the living God, the pil-
from Paul what would he have understood passed on through the apostles teachings, both lar and bulwark of the truth.
the apostle Paul to mean by this? Would he orally and in writing. But since more was The church the pillar the bulwark
have considered this letter from his father- obviously communicated in sermons and the truth. Bill ran these words over and
in-the-faith Scripture, or just a casual, yet public teachings then is recorded in the few over in his mind, envisioning Timothy try-
highly important letter? What would they short New Testament letters, is it accurate to ing to convince his early Jewish and Greek
have considered Scripture? Why, of course, conclude that only what is in Scripture is es- pagan neighbors to believe in Jesus. And
it would have been the Greek translation of sential? Paul said hold to the traditions taught when they answered back, Why should
the Old Testament, which the New Testament orally and written. we believe this crazy stuff?!, Bill wondered
called the Law and the prophets. They had no Traditions? This word jumped out at what Timothy would have said. If he said
New Testament per se; this wasnt collected Bill. When he had left Roman Catholicism, Because the Bible says so, he could only have
until years later. So what they had couldnt he thought that he had left the traditions meant the Old Testament, and we know from
have been called the Old Testament. Rather of man behind. But here Paul was telling the experience of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the
they called it the Scriptures. So what Paul is these early Christians to hold to traditions Book of Acts that just reading the Old Testa-
referring to here is the Old Testament. taught not just in his written letterswhat ment wasnt enough. Timothy would have
Bill continued to meditate on this, would be called the New Testamentbut needed to point them to the testimony of those
and then noticed written in his margin, also given orally. What were these? How who had personally seen Jesus alive after his
along with his hand written notes from could they be known? Were they lost? death on the cross, the apostolic witness. But
previous studies, another Bible reference, Bill mulled these questions over in where was this to be found? The churchthe
to Pauls second letter to the Church in his mind as he turned back to the text in pillarthe bulwarkthe truth.
Thessalonica. It looked like his own hand- Second Timothy and began reading the
writing, but the reference had been done verses that immediately preceded it:
with a red pen, not the color he normally
used. He couldnt remember what this But as for you, continue in what you The complete novel, How Firm A
verse was, so he casually ipped the pages have learned and have rmly believed, Foundation by Marcus C. Grodi, is now
back to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse knowing from whom you learned it available.
15. He leaned back to stretch as he began For Timothy this meant not what he
reading, his mind primarily focused on his read in some New Testament letters or gos-
other thoughts, until what he read shot pels, Bill thought, but what he had heard
him forward in his chair. from Paul or his parents or others.
and how from childhood you have
So then, brethren, stand rm and been acquainted with the sacred writ-
hold to the traditions which you were ings
taught, whether by word of mouth or That would be the Old Testament
by letter from us. Scriptures, but had he actually read these?
Again he wondered. Probably not. He was
As he read this verse again, the two acquainted with these primarily through
mental pictures of Paul writing and of public readings, probably in the local syna-
22 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
Oral Tradition in the New Testament
by David Palm

The Protestant doctrine of sola scripturathat the Bible alone is a Christians authority in matters of
faith and moralswas one of the central tenets on which the Reformers broke away from the Catholic
Church. But in one of those strange quirks of history, sola scriptura lately has been one of the central
tenets on which some Evangelical Protestants have returned to Rome.

S hortly after my wife and I an-


nounced our decision to be re-
ceived into the Catholic Church, members
We must have some evidence that all of
Gods revelation comes to us in written
form; we cannot merely assume this. So we
several instances, they explicitly cite oral
Tradition to support Christian doctrine.
Not only does this observation undermine
of my family urged us to talk to my former are back to the original question, Where the doctrine of sola scriptura, but it lends
seminary professors about our decision. does Scripture teach that Scripture alone positive support to the Catholic position
We were glad to do this and made appoint- is our authority for matters of faith and of Scripture and Tradition as parallel
ments with two of my favorite teachers, morals? conduits through which God brings us
both professors of New Testament. In Another difculty is that the doctrine his revelation.
addition to elding questions from them of the apostles came to them in oral form We can divide these examples into
about the Catholic faith, I asked these men from Jesus. In one sense the entire Chris- two categories.
a question that had been instrumental in tian message is based on oral tradition and First, we nd passages in the New
my own decision to become Catholic: is only augmented by using the written Testament in which oral Tradition is cited
Where does Scripture teach that Scrip- revelation of the Old Testament. From this in support of doctrine. This evidence is
ture alone is our authority in matters of perspective, perhaps 90 percent of the New particularly signicant because it shows
faith and morals? If Scripture makes no Testament is based on authoritative oral that, for the apostles, oral Tradition was
such claim for itself, then the doctrine of tradition (from Jesus), and the remaining trustworthy when formulating and devel-
sola scriptura is self-contradictory, and this ten percent is from written sources. oping elements of the Christian faith. This
undermines a central pillar of Protestant- But my professor was concentrating becomes an excellent biblical precedent for
ism. To me this question was critical. on the way the apostles treated Scripture. the Catholic Churchs practice of basing
I did not get a persuasive answer from If we could nd in the New Testament some Christian dogmas primarily on
either scholar, but one of them responded no case in which the authors drew on Tradition rather than on explicit biblical
to my question with one of his own: Does Jewish oral tradition as authoritative, one testimony.
any New Testament author cite oral tra- could make the case that sola scriptura is a In a second category of passages, the
dition as authoritative for doctrine? His doctrine taught by the apostles, if not ex- New Testament authors draw on oral tra-
point was that if the apostles use of Scrip- plicitly in the pages of the New Testament, dition, but not so explicitly in support of
ture for them the Old Testament il- then at least implicitly by their example. doctrine. Although these examples are not
lustrates that they held to a doctrine of sola While this is not as satisfying as being able as important for our Catholic apologetic,
scriptura, then it seems reasonable that this to point to chapter and verse to support they are signicant in that they show the
pattern would hold for later Christians use sola scriptura, it is a way out of the logical extent to which the earliest Christians,
of the New Testament. His argument is a quandary that the doctrine generates. including the apostles themselves, reck-
good one, but only to a point. New Testament Evidence oned with the twin witnesses of Scripture
One problem is that the question I could not address this question de- and Tradition when they expounded the
assumes the truth of the conclusion it is nitively at the time, but as I have read and faith.
trying to establish. By asking Where in studied Scripture since becoming Catholic
the New Testament do you nd such and and have found that the answer to my pro- Doctrinal Examples
such? the questioner is limiting the dis- fessors question is Yes. The authors of the
cussion only to written revelation, but this New Testament do draw on oral Tradition Matthew 2:23
is the very point we are trying to establish. in addition to Old Testament Scripture. In Scripture says that Joseph and Mary

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 23


returned to Nazareth after their sojourn One searches in vain for any reference to pregured in the Old Testament. He treats
in Egypt, that what was spoken by the this seat of Moses in the Old Testament. baptism rst: Our fathers were all under
prophets might be fullled, He shall be But it was commonly understood in the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
called a Nazarene. (Matt. 2:23). All ancient Israel that there was an authori- and all were baptized into Moses in the
commentators admit that the phrase He tative teaching ofce, passed on by Moses cloud and in the sea (vv. 1-2). Next he
shall be called a Nazarene is not found to successors. highlights the Eucharist, pregured by the
anywhere in the Old Testament. Yet Mat- As the rst verse of the Mishna trac- manna in the wilderness (v.3; cf. John 6:
thew tells us that the Holy Family fullled tate Abte indicates, the Jews understood 26-40), and the water that God provided
this prophecy, which had been passed on that Gods revelation, received by Moses, for Israel: All drank the same supernatural
by the prophets. had been handed down from him in un- drink. For they drank from the super-
The proposed solutions to explain this interrupted succession, through Joshua, natural Rock which followed them, and
verse are legion. They range from trying the elders, the prophets, and the great the Rock was Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).
to nd some word-play on Nazarene in Sanhedrin (Acts 15:21). The scribes and The Old Testament says nothing about
the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, Pharisees participated in this authoritative any movement of the rock that Moses struck
to viewing this text as loosely fullling line and as such their teaching deserved to to provide water for the Israelites (Ex. 17:
a conglomeration of Old Testament pas- be respected. 1-7, Num. 20:2-13), but in rabbinic Tra-
sages that refer to a despised Messiah. The Jesus here draws on oral Tradition dition the rock actually followed them on
serious grappling by scholars with the text to uphold the legitimacy of this teaching their journey through the wilderness. In a
is admirable, but in the end their solutions ofce in Israel. The Catholic Church, in further development, another Tradition,
seem farfetched. upholding the legitimacy of both Scripture given by Philo, even equates this rock with
It may be that we should seek reso- and Tradition, follows the example of Jesus preexistent Wisdom: For the inty rock is
lution in simplicity. When read in Greek, himself. the Wisdom of God, which he marked off
the introduction to this prophecy differs In addition, we see that the structure highest and chiefest from his powers, and
from all the other fulllment sayings in of the Catholic Churchwith an authori- from which he satises the thirsty souls that
Matthew (for example Matt. 1:22, 2:15, 3: tative teaching ofce comprised of bishops love God.
15, and others). Thus, the failed attempts who are the direct successors of the apos- It seems that Paul is drawing on this
to locate the Old Testament background tlesfollows the example of ancient Israel. Tradition, but he elevates it to even a
to this prophecy, coupled with this unique While there are groups of Christians today higher level. Christ himself was the Rock
introduction, suggest to me that the sim- that deny continuity between Israel and who provided for the people of Israel,
plest solution is probably the correct one: the Church, historic orthodox Christianity which in turn makes their rebellion all
Matthew is drawing on oral Tradition for has always understood the Church to be a the more heinous (1 Cor. 10:5ff.). Paul
this saying. If this is the case, it is signi- fulllment of Israel. This verse about Mo- does not hesitate to draw on stock oral
cant that he places this prophecy on the ses chair illuminates why we say that the Tradition to illustrate and enhance his
same level as ones he attributes to specic successor of Peter, when he gives a solemn presentation of the gospel. The details
authors of the Old Testament. This then teaching for the whole Church, is said to provided in these Traditions preserved
would be an example of Gods own Word speak ex cathedra or from the chair. under the Old Covenant shed fresh light
being passed on via oral Tradition and not Whereas under the Old Covenant the on the preparation that God made through
through written Scripture. administration of Gods people came from Israel for the building of his Church and
the chair of Moses, Christians under the on the characteristics of the Christian
Matthew 23:2 New Covenant look to the chair of Pe- sacraments.
Just before launching into a blistering ter for direction on questions of faith and
denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, morals. But there is a notable difference 1 Peter 3:19
Jesus delivers this command to the crowds: between the magisterium under the Old In his rst epistle Peter tells of Christs
The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses Covenant and our teachers under the New journey to the netherworld during which
seat; so practice and observe whatever they Covenant. The successors of the apostles, he went and preached to the spirits in
tell you, but not what they do; for they and especially Peters successor, have the prison, who formerly did not obey, when
preach, but do not practice (Matt. 23: Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, Gods patience waited in the days of Noah
2-3). and they have Jesus promise that the gates (1 Pet. 3:19). There is a growing scholarly
Although Jesus strongly indicts his of hell will not prevail against the Church consensus that the interpretive key to this
opponents of hypocrisy for not follow- (Matt. 16:17-19). verse is found in Genesis 6:1-7, in which
ing their own teaching, he nevertheless the sons of God cohabited with the
insists that the scribes and Pharisees hold 1 Corinthians 10:4 daughters of men and produced ghastly
a position of legitimate authority, which Paul shows how Christian sacra- offspring. According to ancient interpret-
he characterizes as sitting on Moses seat. mentsbaptism and the Eucharistwere ation, these sons of God were actually
24 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
rebellious angels who sinned by mating primitive Church regarded the apostolic this text relates well to a Catholic dogma
with human women. testimony as conned to written docu- that troubles many non-Catholicsthe
It appears likely that this is Peters ments emanating from, or attributed to, bodily Assumption of Mary. There is
view as well. For if God did not spare the apostles. Rather, the early Church no explicit biblical evidence for Marys
the angels when they sinned, but cast them Fathers argued that the interpretations of Assumption (although see Rev. 12:1-6),
to pits of nether gloom to be kept until the heretics were not in line with the rule but Jude not only provides us with a third
judgmentthen the Lord knows how to of faith, that is, the deposit of Tradition biblical example of the bodily assumption
rescue the godly from trial (2 Pet. 2:4, 9). passed on by the apostles to the bishops of one of Gods special servants (see also
Note the close link to Noah and Geneses of the Catholic Church and preserved Gen. 5:24, 2 Kgs. 2:11), he shows that
6. Compare too Jude 6, which says that through an unbroken lineage. oral Tradition can be the ground on which
the angels that did not keep their own A specic application of this is the belief in such a dogma may be based.
position but left their proper dwelling doctrine of the perpetual virginity of
have been kept by him in eternal chains Mary. The data of the New Testament con- Jude 14-15
in the nether gloom until the judgment cerning the brothers and sisters of Jesus This ones a real show-stopper, perhaps
of the great day These references are are ambiguous by themselves, although the best example of all. St. Jude speaks of
evidence that Peter has this traditional I would argue that the biblical evidence the rebellious upstarts of his day, saying, It
interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4 in mind leans toward the Catholic interpretation. was of these also that Enoch in the seventh
when he writes of Christs preaching to But we have additional help in the form generation from Adam prophesied, say-
the spirits in prison. of the Traditions preserved in the early ing, Behold, the Lord came with his holy
Additional background is found in Church which say that Mary remained a myriads, to execute judgment on all, and
the extra-biblical book of 1 Enoch. In virgin and bore no other children besides to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds
this work, which was popular both in an- Jesus. So Tradition can sometimes serve as of ungodliness which they have committed
cient Jewish and early Christian circles, arbiter and interpreter in cases where the in such an ungodly way, and of all the
the righteous man Enoch (Gen. 5:22- meaning of Scripture is unclear. harsh things which ungodly sinners have
24) goes at Gods command to the place spoken against him.
where these sinful angels are imprisoned Jude 9 This statement may also be found in
and proclaims their impending judgment Jude relates an altercation between the non-Scriptural book of 1 Enoch (1:
and punishment for their sin. Michael and Satan: When the archangel 9); but Judes use of it does not really
The parallel to Peters epistle is too Michael, contending with the devil, dis- say anything about the inspiration of 1
close to dismiss. It seems possible that Pe- puted about the body of Moses, he did not Enoch. Rather, he asserts that the saying
ter views Enoch as a type of Christ and presume to pronounce a reviling judgment itself actually hales from the venerable
that in 1 Peter 3:19 he portrays Christ as upon him, but said, The Lord rebuke you. Enoch, whose righteous life is mentioned
a second Enoch, who goes to the spirit (Jude 9). in Genesis 4-5.
world and proclaims the nal downfall As H. Willmering says in A Catholic Here is a tradition, a prophetic reve-
of these evil spirits (compare Col. 2:15). Commentary on Holy Scripture, This lation, which was passed on orally for
Peters source for this analogy is Tradition, incident is not mentioned in Scripture, millennia before being captured rst in a
not Scripture. but may have been a Jewish oral tradi- non-inspired written document (1 Enoch)
This example is signicant because it tion, which is well known to the readers and then in an inspired document (Jude).
highlights one of the important functions of this epistle. Some versions of the story Did the writers of the New Testament ever
that Tradition still plays for us. As is all circulating in ancient Judaism depict Satan regard oral tradition as divine revelation?
too clear from the divisions within Chris- trying to intervene as Michael buries the This example more than any other shows
tendom, Scripture may be interpreted body. Several of the Church Fathers know that the answer to that is a resounding,
in many different ways. Sometimes the of another version in which Moses body is Yes!
Traditions passed on in the Catholic assumed into heaven after his death. Jude
Church provide the interpretive key to draws on this oral Tradition to highlight Other Examples
certain passages. This was important in the incredible arrogance of the heretics he There are a number of other examples
the early Church, because heretics of all opposes; even Michael the archangel did in the New Testament in which the writer
stripes appealed to the Bible in support not take it on himself to rebuke Satan, and likely draws on oral tradition, but not so
of their doctrine. yet these men have no scruples in reviling clearly in support of any doctrine. For in-
It is simply false to suppose that the celestial beings. stance, Paul dips into rabbinic tradition
early Church relied on sola scriptura to This text provides another example of to supply the names, Jannes and Jambres,
defend Christian orthodoxy. There is a New Testament author tapping oral Tra- of the magicians who opposed Moses in
no reason to infer, says J.N.D. Kelly dition to expound Christian doctrinein Pharoahs court (2 Tim. 3:8). In the Old
in Early Christian Doctrines, that the this case an issue of behavior. In addition, Testament, these individuals are anonymous
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 25
(Ex. 7:8ff.). James tells us that because of isterial Kommentar zum Neuen Testament sola scripturaScripture aloneis our au-
Elijahs prayer there was no rain in Israel aus Talmud und Misrasch contain a wealth thority in matters of faith and morals. But
for three years (Jas. 5:17), but the Old Tes- of parallels between rabbinic tradition and this doctrine is unbiblical. The Catholic
tament account of Elijahs altercation with the New Testament writings. One notori- Church teaches that Christian doctrine is
King Ahab says nothing of him praying (1 ously difcult impediment to such a study sola Verbum Deifrom the Word of God
Kgs. 17). is determining which traditions pre-date aloneand this is what the Bible actually
It is rabbinic tradition that charac- the New Testament and which are exclu- says about itself. The teaching of the Bible
terizes Elijah as the quintessential man sively post-apostolic; such decisions must and of the Church is that Gods Word
of prayer. And even the Golden Rule, be left to experts and range well beyond my comes to us both through the writings of
So whatever you wish that men would own abilities. Nevertheless, I believe that the prophets and apostles and through the
do to you, do so to them; for this is the the passages that I cited demonstrate that oral Traditions that they handed on, and
law and the prophets (Matt. 7:12) was the New Testament authors drew on oral these are preserved by the Church through
anticipated by Jewish oral Tradition. Tradition as they expounded the Christian the leading of the Holy Spirit. The burden
Rabbi Hillel taught, What you do not faith. This fact spells real trouble for any of proof is on any Christian who believes
like should be done to you, do not to your Christian who asserts that we must nd all otherwise.
fellow; this is the whole Torah, all the rest of our doctrine in written Scripture. We
is commentary. know that the apostles did not teach the
doctrine of sola scriptura explicitly in Scrip-
Conclusion ture, and we know through their use of
Likely there are many more examples oral Tradition that they did not intend to
of the use of oral Tradition in the New teach it implicitly by their example either. David Palm, a convert to Catholicism,
Testament. Reference works such as Alfred The conclusion is that they simply did not freelances from Waukegan, Illinois. This article
Edersheims The Life and Times of Jesus the hold to a principle of sola scripturaand is reprinted with permission from the May 1995
issue of This Rock magazine, Catholic Answers,
Messiah, John Lightfoots Commentary on neither should we.
Inc.
the New Testament from the Talmud and Catholics need not be shy about this
Hebraica, and Strack and Billerbecks mag- issue. The Protestant reformers taught that

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26 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


When Evangelicals Treat Catholic
Tradition Like Revelation
By Mark P. Shea

In the following article, adapted with permission from his book, By What Authority?: An Evangelical
Discovers Catholic Tradition (Our Sunday Visitor Books), Mark recounts his thought processes when he
was an Evangelical considering the role of tradition, which Evangelicals supposedly reject in belief and
practice.

I wondered: Is it really true that we


Evangelicals never treat extra-bib-
lical tradition as authoritative revelation? Is
our time is the question of the sanctity
of human life from conception to natural
death. While you are reading this, sev-
alas, many liberal Christians who, with
trembling devotion to the spirit of the age,
dutifully parrot the rhetoric that those who
it really the case that all Evangelical belief eral thousand preborn babies, ranging in defend human life are antichoice.
is derived from the clear and unambiguous age from rst trimester to full term, are On the other side of the divide are
teaching of the Bible alone? Do we really going to be legally suctioned, burned, most Evangelicals, conservative members
speak forth only what Scripture speaks, dismembered, or decapitated by skilled of the mainline Protestant churches, the
keep silent where Scripture is silent, and professionals. As this evil occurs, a bewil- Catholic and Orthodox churches, and
never bind the conscience of the believer dered modern society, long ago cut adrift conservative Jews.
on those questions in which Scripture from its Christian roots, will not recoil Yet for 20 centuries absolutely all of
permits different interpretations? in horror but will instead op its hands Christianity stood staunchly behind the
To nd out, I decided to try an experi- passively in its lap, register a befuddled defenseless ones against the culture of
ment. I would look at Evangelicalnot shrug of discomfort, and continue lack- death. Indeed, so recent is the minting of
Catholicbelief and practice to see if ing the capacity to tell whether or not the right to choose that not even theo-
there were any evidence of tradition being this is bad. logical liberals were willing to call abortion
treated like revelation. I would see if there Meanwhile, the culture of death will anything other than a grave sin until the
were any rock-bottom, non-negotiable, not sleep. Rather, emboldened by our past few decades. That is why we can
cant-do-without-em beliefs that were morel paralysis in the face of so obvious scarcely nd a shred of Christian theology
not attested (or very weakly attested) in an evil, the purveyors of choice will ask written in favor of abortion and euthanasia
the Bible, yet which we orthodox Evangeli- ever more loudly, If we can do these things before the 1960s and 70s. From the rst
cals treated like revelation. If I found such when the tree is green, what can we get away century to the present, a shoreless ocean
things, and if they had an ancient pedigree, with when it is dry? If the life of the helpless of testimony from every sector of the
it seemed to me this would be very strong infant is cheap when the economy is strong, church decries this terrible crime against
evidence that the apostolic tradition not why not the life of the disabled, aged, and God and humanity. And we Evangelicals,
only was larger than the Bible alone, but sick when medical costs skyrocket? with very few exceptions, are of one voice
hadsomehowbeen handed down to It seems obvious to me that the with 20 centuries of Christian preaching
the present. question of the sanctity of human life is concerning this most elementary of Chris-
So I started taking a good long look a bedrock of Christian morals. If the pro- tian moral truths.
at non-negotiable Evangelical beliefs as tection of life from conception to natural I am proud to number myself among
they were actually lived out in my church death isnt essential to Christian teaching, the ranks of prolife Christians and will
and churches like it. To my surprise, I what is? Surely here we ought to nd a never waver from this commitment. But
found several such weakly attested non- sharp dichotomy between the church and as I began to argue my position with lib-
negotiables. the modern world. Right? eral Christians who supported the right
Wrong. The plain fact is, things dont to choose, I did begin to waver in some-
THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE break down that way. On one side of the thing: my conviction that the irrefutable
Arguably the most pressing issue of cultural divide are not only secularists, but, basis for our prolife conviction as Evan-

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 27


gelicals is Scripture alone. gives birth prematurely is in fact much womb. Thus, I know Christians who have
I know the verses that are quoted. For more exible than this. It means departs actually taken this text as license for rst-
you created my inmost being; you knit me and can be read as gives birth premature- trimester abortions since babies cannot
together in my mothers womb (Ps. 139: ly or as spontaneously aborts. So does be felt to kick in utero before the second
13), Before I formed you in the womb I the caveat about serious injury apply to trimester. Such Christians are living proof
knew you (Jer. 1:5), and so forth. I cer- the woman or to the miscarried child? that the bare text of Scripture, apart from
tainly agree that these verses bear oblique Does the Law demand wound for wound the interpretive tradition of Christendom,
witness to a prolife position. Indeed, I em- for the mothers injury or the unborns? says nothing clear and denite about abor-
phatically agree that the prolife position If the mother is not seriously injured but tion or human development anywhere.
is an obvious fact of Christian teaching the child dies, is this what is meant by no Instead it gives only signs, clues, and hints
throughout all ages. But in arguing the serious injury? The text does not say. Nor which individual Christians, forsaking that
matter with other Christians who read the does the rest of Scripture help us. tradition, can and do interpret in ways that
same Bible I do, I began to realize that I Similarly, the New Testament does not directly contradict one another.
could not make opposition to abortion tell us how to understand another difcult OK, the Evangelical says. Maybe
and devotion to the sanctity of preborn Old Testament passage: Numbers 5:20-27. John the Baptist isnt a biblical prolife
life an intrinsic, absolutely essential, ut- This strange text prescribes an ordeal for proof, but what about our Lord himself?
terly non-negotiable part of the Christian suspected adulteresses, in which the sus- Surely the personhood of the Second Per-
faith on the basis of Scripture alone. For pected woman is placed under oath and son of the Trinity at his conception lends
the fact is, a modern apologist for the made to drink bitter water that brings a his dignity to all human beings from con-
culture of death can and does argue that curse. The purpose of the ordeal was to ception onward so that whatever you did
Scripture alone, apart from tradition, is as call down a divine curse on the adulteress for one of the least of these (Mt. 25:40)
ambiguous about abortion as it is about that will cause her belly to swell and her applies supremely here.
the question of just war vs. pacism and thighs [to] waste away or as the footnotes Now I happen to agree with this
therefore abortion is a matter of Christian to NIV Bible put it, to make her be barren argument. But I have spoken with other
liberty. and have a miscarrying womb. well-meaning, Bible-believing Christians
Consider: Neither testament gives a If we do not have any larger tradition (most of them strongly prolife) who dont.
clear understanding of the status of unborn for understanding such a textif we let They see no such extension of Christs dig-
life. Is the fetus a human person possessing Scripture interpret Scripture as we Evan- nity to us by the mere fact that Christ was
the same dignity as an infant after birth? Is gelicals sayit seems that some induced born a human being. They note that Christ
the conceptus? Is the act of directly causing miscarriages (i.e., those of adulteresses) is speaking of the least of these brothers
the death of such a one an act of murder or ought to be countenanced by the people of mine and argue that we become his
some lesser offense? Is it an offense at all? of God. In short, Scripture does not au- brothers and Gods children, not by being
No direct answer is ever attempted to these tomatically give one the impression that born but by being born again. They fear
questions anywhere in Scripture. the Bible lends itself to an irrefutable case that to protect the unborn child on this
Worse, the indirect ways in which for the sanctity of every human life from basis is ultimately to mislead people into
Scripture addresses these issues are very conception to natural death. thinking we are holy when we are merely
oblique and open to multiple inter- At this we Evangelicals may attempt to human.
pretationsapart from tradition. Thus create a larger interpretive context by let- Of course, I have counter-arguments
Exodus 21:22 reads: If men who are ting Scripture interpret Scripture again. to all this and they, of course, have
ghting hit a pregnant woman and she We might raise the counter example of counter-counter-arguments till between
gives birth prematurely but there is no John the Baptist, moved by the Spirit us you cant count the counters. But this
serious injury, the offender must be ned in Elizabeths womb when Mary arrived is hardly evidence of the undeniable clarity
whatever the womans husband demands (Lk. 1:41). Is not this a strong indication of Scripture alone on this crucial point of
and the court allows. But if there is serious that even unborn children are persons Christian ethics.
injury, you are to take life for life, eye for responsive to the Spirit of God? Is it not Well then, someone proposes, may-
eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot a pretty good hint that unborn babies are be Scripture says so little because abortion
for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, people too? was unheard of at the time? After all, you
bruise for bruise. Of course it is. That is, its a strong dont pass laws against speeding if no one
Far more questions are raised by this indicationa hint, a sign, a good possi- has yet invented the automobile. The dif-
passage than are answeredif we are left bility. It is not, however, incontrovertible culty with this theory is that it simply
to interpret it without reference to Jew- proof that all children are similarly graced isnt true. Abortion predates Christianity
ish and Christian tradition, as prochoice with supernatural gifts, including the su- by centuries and it ourished in pagan cul-
Christians urge us to do. For instance, the pernatural gift of personhood, when they ture then as it ourishes in our quasi-pagan
Hebrew word which is here translated are as yet unformed in their mothers culture now. That is why the Didache, a
28 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
manual of Christian instruction composed God as the Scripture it interprets. only source of revelation, yet which rmly
around A D. 80, during the lifetime of the And no one, least of all we Evangeli- consign Christ to the status of mere crea-
gospel writers, commands: You shall not cals, questioned this prolife teaching until ture just as surely as does the most ardent
procure an abortion. You shall not destroy this century. Indeed, the overwhelming skeptic. Most famous among these ways
a new born child. Nor was the Didache number of Evangelicals quite faithfully is a third-century movement known as
alone in this. The subsequent writings followed this tradition without it even Arianism.
of the post-apostolic period are simply occurring to us to question it. Why was Arians were principally concerned
unanimous when it comes to the Chris- this, if we were truly deriving our beliefs to preserve the Oneness of God from
tian teaching on this subject. The Epistle from the clear and unambiguous teach- pagan polytheism. They argued cogently
of Barnabas, the Letter to Diognetus, the ing of the Bible alone, speaking forth only from Scripture. They were well-trained
writings of Athenagoras, Tertullian, Hip- what Scripture spoke, keeping silent where theologians who could read Scripture in
polytus, Origen, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Scripture was silent, and not binding the the original tongues. The only problem
a vast army of the Fathers, indeed every last conscience of the believer on those ques- was that they had the idea that Jesus was
Christian theologian who addresses this tions in which Scripture permits different not truly God but only a sort of godlet or
question until late in this century says ex- interpretations? superior created being.
actly the same thing: Abortion is a grave The obvious answer seemed to be that In defense of this idea, the Arians re-
evil and the taking of human life. I was looking at a facet of extrabiblical tra- jected tradition and pointed to texts like
Yet the odd thing is this: The old dition which is so profoundly part of our the Father is greater than I (Jn. 14:28)
writers, the Fathers of the Church closest bones that we Evangelicals never thought and Why do you call me good?... No one
in time to the apostles, speak of their doc- to distinguish it from (much less oppose it is good-except God alone (Mk. 10:18).
trine both in this area and in many others to) the Scriptures themselves. Indeed, as I They could come up with plausible expla-
as denitely decided by the mind of the looked at it, I began to realize that the total nations for terms and expressions which
Church and the tradition of the apostles. prolife tradition was Scripture and tradition we Evangelicals think could only point to
For them abortion is contrary, not so much together; distinct, yet an organic unity like Christs divinity. For example, Arians said
to the Bible, as to the Holy Faith they re- the head and the heart, the right hand and the statement, I and the Father are one
ceived from their predecessors. Thus Basil the left. The Scripture gave light, but a (Jn. 10:30) refers to oneness of purpose, not
the Great writes (c. 374): A woman who very scattered light on this most crucial oneness of being. They pointed out that
has deliberately destroyed a fetus must of issues. The tradition acted like a lens Scripture refers to supernatural created
pay the penalty for murder, and, Those bringing that dancing light into focus. Tra- beings as sons of God (Job 38:7 NAB)
also who give drugs causing abortions are dition without Scripture was a darkened without intending they are one in being
murderers themselves, as well as those who lens without a light; but likewise, Scripture with the Father. They observed that even
receive the poison which kills the fetus. without tradition was, on this vital issue, a mere humans were called gods (Ps. 8:2-
Yet, for Basil, as for the rest of the Fathers, blurry, unfocused light without a lens. 6; Jn. 10:34-36), without the implication
this teaching, like many others, has been In realizing this, I realized we Evan- that they are God. Therefore they inferred
preserved, not only in Scripture, but in gelicals were no different from Catholics that the Son, supernatural though he may
the Church. As he himself says: on this score. We were not treating this be (as angels, principalities, and powers are
Of the dogmas and kerygmas pre- traditionthe Tradition of Prolife Inter- supernatural), is neither co-eternal with
served in the Church, some we possess pretationas a fallible human reading of the Father nor one in being with him.
from written teaching and others we Scripture. Rather we treated it as absolutely How would we Evangelicals argue
receive from the tradition of the Apostles, authoritative and therefore as revealed. against Arianism using Scripture alone?
handed on to us in mystery. In respect to Wed say that John speaks of the only
piety both are of the same force. No one THE TRINITY begotten and says of him that he was
will contradict any of these, no one, at What could be more central to Evan- God and was with God in the begin-
any rate, who is even moderately versed in gelical belief than the deity of Christ? This ning (Jn. 1:1-2, 18; 3:16). We would
matters ecclesiastical. Indeed, were we to is the great thundering truth proclaimed reply that, although the Trinity is not
try to reject unwritten customs as having by every good preacher of the gospel. If in Scripture, nonetheless the concept of
no great authority, we would unwittingly that is not essential Christianity, then there Trinity is there.
injure the Gospel in its vitals. is no such thing as Christianity. Yet as I But a good Arian would be quick to
In short, the Faith of which the Fa- began to read Scripture and look at church point out that God plainly says, You are
thers speak (including its prolife ethic) is history, I began to realize there are ways my Son; today I have become your Father
revealed, not merely by Scripture alone, of denying the deity of Christ which can (Heb. 1:5), which implies that there was a
but by Scripture rightly understood (and easily slip in under the Evangelical radar time before the Son was begotten. In other
only rightly understood) in the context of a screen, ways which reverence him and call words, the Arian can argue that there was
larger tradition which is just as much from loudly for trust in Scripture as the one and a time when the Son was not. But there
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 29
issue of the New Oxford Review.
was never a time when the Father was apostles that badly? Is it not obvious that
not. He is without beginning. Therefore, the churches preserved the plain apostolic Mark P. Shea is author of By What Au-
according to the Arian, the Son does not meaning of the Scriptures by carrying in thority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic
share Gods eternal, beginningless essence. their bosom not only the text of Scripture, Tradition (Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor,
This amounts to a denial of the deity of but the clear memory of the way the apos- 1996), and the forthcoming book, Making
Christ. Great and supernatural as he may tles intended these texts to be understood? Senses Out of Scripture; Reading the Bible
be compared to the rest of creation (and Was it not obvious that this living memory as the First Christians Did, available through
Paul implies he is a creature when he calls was, in fact, essential to correctly reading Basilica Press.
him the rst-loom over all creation [Col. Scripture?
1:15], doesnt he?), nonetheless he is only But in seeing this, I couldnt help
a creature, says the Arian. seeing something else: My Evangelical
How then, I wondered, can we even radio show host (like my Evangelical
be sure of this foundation stone of the friends and I) was saying that a Tradition
Faith if the ambiguity of Scripture made of Trinitarian Interpretation living in the
it too a matter of liberty according to church was just as essential and revealed as
our own Evangelical criteria? the Scripture being interpreted. When we
I discovered the answer as I listened spoke of the absolute union of the Father
to one of those radio call-in shows where and the Son, we Evangelicals were in fact
theologians tackle various questions about resting serenely, not on the Bible alone,
the Bible. The host of this show was a solid but on the interpretative tradition of the
Evangelical who was always very careful Church, just as we rested serenely on its
to speak of Scripture alone as the bottom Tradition of the Sanctity of Human Life
line of revelation. Yet the odd thing was, (and we could draw the same conclusions
when a particularly articulate exponent with the Tradition of Monogamy).
of anti-trinitarianism called and pointed This meant that whatever we Evan-
out the typical Arian readings of various gelicals said about tradition being useful
Scriptures, the host had one nal bottom but not essential to Christian revelation,
line below the bottom line. After citing we behaved exactly as though we believed
various counter-Scriptures (and receiving trinitarian traditiona tradition both
more Arian readings by the caller until in union with and yet distinct from the NINETY-FIVE
yet another stalemate seemed imminent), Scripture it interpretsis the other leg
the host nally said, in essence, Your upon which the revelation of Christs
REASONS
interpretation is simply not what historic deity stands. For Becoming or
Christianity has ever understood its own It was then a plain mistake to think we Remaining Catholic
Bible to mean. He then asked the Arian Evangelicals spoke forth only what Scrip-
During the eighteen years that Paul
caller if he was really prepared to insist ture spoke, kept silent where Scripture was Key was a Presbyterian pastor, there were
that 20 centuries of Christians (including silent, and never bound the conscience of many reasons that came to his attention
people who had heard the apostles with the believer on those questions in which for why the Catholic Church is the true
their own ears and who clearly regarded Scripture permits different interpretations. Church. Paul shares with us his ninety-
ve reasons which he identied as reasons
Jesus as God) had been utterly wrong On the contrary, we lived (and had to live) for becoming, and remaining Catholic.
about the central fact of their faith while by tradition almost as deeply as Catholics.
This handy book is a tremendous
he alone was right? For us, as for Rome, tradition was the lens study aid. Special spiral bound edition is
This made sense. It seemed plain to that focused the light of Scripture. For us, perfect for Bible study groups! Only $9
me that it was idle for the Arian caller to as for Rome, that tradition was not a pair plus shipping.
wrench Scripture away from 20 centuries of useful but not necessary disposable
of ordinary Christian interpretation of glasses; it was the lens of our living eye and Please call CHN to order
so crucial a matter and declare the en- the heart of vision. It was so much a part
tire Church, from those who knew the
apostles down to the present, incapable
of us that we were oblivious to it. I realized
we Evangelicals had been so focused on the
(800) 664-5110
of understanding what it meant in its own light of Scripture that we had forgotten the
You can also obtain this book by sending
Scriptures concerning so fundamental an lens through which we looked. your donation to:
issue. CHNetwork PO Box 8290 Zanesville, OH
Is it even remotely likely that the This article has been revised from that 43702-8290 or www.chnetwork.org
entire early Church misunderstood the which appeared in the September 1996
30 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International
What Do Catholics Believe
About Scripture?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

As with other doctrine, too often non-Catholics never take the time to read what the Catholic Church
truly teaches about the inerrancy and authority of Scripture. They have only too often accepted uncriti-
cally what her antagonists say she teaches. The following, therefore, is a selection from the most up-to-date
reliable sourcethe Catechism of the Catholic Churchon what the Catholic Church teaches on Scrip-
ture, the Apostolic Tradition, the Deposit of Faith and the authority behind how Scripture is to be
interpreted.

I. THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION line of succession until the end of time (DV thing, and move towards the same goal (DV
75 Christ the Lord, in whom the entire Rev- 8 # 1). 9). Each of them makes present and fruitful
elation of the most high God is summed up, in the Church the mystery of Christ, who
commanded the apostles to preach the Gospel, 78 This living transmission, accomplished promised to remain with his own always, to
which had been promised beforehand by the in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition, since the close of the age (Mt 28:20).
prophets, and which he fullled in his own it is distinct from Sacred Scripture, though
person and promulgated with his own lips. closely connected to it. Through Tradition, Two distinct modes of transmission
In preaching the Gospel, they were to com- the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, 81 Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as
municate the gifts of God to all men. This perpetuates and transmits to every generation it is put down in writing under the breath of
Gospel was to be the source of all saving truth all that she herself is, all that she believes (DV the Holy Spirit (DV 9). And [Holy] Tra-
and moral discipline (Dei Verbum (DV) 7; cf. 8 # 1). The sayings of the Holy Fathers are a dition transmits in its entirety the Word of
Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15). witness to the life-giving presence of this Tra- God which has been entrusted to the apostles
dition, showing how its riches are poured out by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It
In the apostolic preaching in the practice and life of the Church, in her transmits it to the successors of the apostles
76 In keeping with the Lords command, the belief and her prayer (DV 8 # 3). so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they
Gospel was handed on in two ways: orally by may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it
the apostles who handed on, by the spoken 79 The Fathers self-communication made abroad by their preaching (DV 9).
word of their preaching, by the example they through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains
gave, by the institutions they established, what present and active in the Church: God, who 82 As a result the Church, to whom the trans-
they themselves had receivedwhether from spoke in the past, continues to converse with mission and interpretation of Revelation is
the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy entrusted, does not derive her certainty about
works, or whether they had learned it at the Spirit, through whom the living voice of the all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures
prompting of the Holy Spirit (DV 7); and Gospel rings out in the Churchand through alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be
in writing by those apostles and other men her in the worldleads believers to the full accepted and honored with equal sentiments
associated with the apostles who, under the truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell of devotion and reverence (DV 9).
inspiration of the same Holy Spirit, committed in them in all its richness (DV 8 # 3; cf. Col
the message of salvation to writing (DV 7). 3:16). Apostolic Tradition and
ecclesial traditions
Continued in apostolic succession II. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 83 The Tradition here in question comes from
77 In order that the full and living Gospel TRADITION AND SACRED SCRIP- the apostles and hands on what they received
might always be preserved in the Church the TURE from Jesus teaching and example and what
apostles left bishops as their successors. They they learned from the Holy Spirit. The rst
gave them their own position of teaching au- One common source generation of Christians did not yet have a
thority (DV 7 # 2; St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 3, 80 Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, written New Testament, and the New Testa-
3, 1: Patrologia Graeca (PG) 7/1, 848; Harvey, then, are bound closely together, and commu- ment itself demonstrates the process of living
2, 9). Indeed, the apostolic preaching, which nicate one with the other. For both of them, Tradition. Tradition is to be distinguished from
is expressed in a special way in the inspired owing out from the same divine well-spring, the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical
books, was to be preserved in a continuous come together in some fashion to form one or devotional traditions, born in the local
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 31
churches over time. These are the particular wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, 111 But since Sacred Scripture is inspired,
forms, adapted to different places and times, Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the there is another and no less important prin-
in which the great Tradition is expressed. In Church are so connected and associated that ciple of correct interpretation, without which
the light of Tradition, these traditions can be one of them cannot stand without the oth- Scripture would remain a dead letter. Sacred
retained, modied or even abandoned under ers. Working together, each in its own way, Scripture must be read and interpreted in the
the guidance of the Churchs Magisterium. under the action of the one Holy Spirit, they light of the same Spirit by whom it was written
all contribute effectively to the salvation of ( DV 12 # 3).
III. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE souls (DV 10 # 3).
HERITAGE OF FAITH 112 Be especially attentive to the content and
I. CHRIST THE UNIQUE WORD unity of the whole Scripture. Different as the
84 The apostles entrusted the Sacred deposit OF SACRED SCRIPTURE books which compose it may be, Scripture is a
of the faith (the depositum dei) (DV 10 # 1; cf. unity by reason of the unity of Gods plan, of
I Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:12-14 [Vulg.]), contained 102 Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open
in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, to the whole God speaks only one single Word, his one since his Passover (Cf. Lk 24:25-27, 44-46).
of the Church. By adhering to [this heritage] Utterance in whom he expresses himself . The phrase heart of Christ can refer to Sa-
the entire holy people, united to its pastors, cred Scripture, which makes known his heart,
remains always faithful to the teaching of the 103 For this reason, the Church has always closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was
apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the obscure. But the Scripture has been opened
of bread and the prayers. So, in maintaining, Lords Body. She never ceases to present to since the Passion; since those who from then
practising and professing the faith that has the faithful the bread of life, taken from the on have understood it, consider and discern in
been handed on, there should be a remarkable one table of Gods Word and Christs Body what way the prophecies must be interpreted
harmony between the bishops and the faith- (Cf. DV 21). (St. Thomas Aquinas, Expos. in Ps. 21, 11; cf.
ful (DV 10 # 1; cf. Acts 2:42 [Greek]; Pius Ps 22:14).
XII, Apost. Const. Municentissimus Deus, 1 104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly
November 1950: AAS 42 [1950], 756, taken nds her nourishment and her strength, for she 113 Read the Scripture within the living
along with the words of St. Cyprian, Epist. 66, welcomes it not as a human word, but as what Tradition of the whole Church. According
8: CSEL 3/2, 733: The Church is the people it really is, the word of God (Th 2:13; cf. DV to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is
united to its Priests, the ock adhering to its 24). In the sacred books, the Father who is written principally in the Churchs heart rather
Shepherd). in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, than in documents and records, for the Church
and talks with them (DV 21). carries in her Tradition the living memorial of
The Magisterium of the Church Gods Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives
85 The task of giving an authentic inter- II. INSPIRATION AND TRUTH OF her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture
pretation of the Word of God, whether in its SACRED SCRIPTURE (. . . according to the spiritual meaning which
written form or in the form of Tradition, has the Spirit grants to the Church (Origen, Hom.
been entrusted to the living teaching ofce of 105 God is the author of Sacred Scrip- in Lev. 5, 5: PG 12, 454D).
the Church alone. Its authority in this matter ture.
is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ (DV IV. THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE
10 # 2). This means that the task of inter- 107 The inspired books teach the truth. Since
pretation has been entrusted to the bishops in therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred 120 It was by the apostolic Tradition that the
communion with the successor of Peter, the writers afrm should be regarded as afrmed Church discerned which writings are to be
Bishop of Rome. by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that included in the list of the sacred books (Cf.
the books of Scripture rmly, faithfully, and DV 8 # 3). This complete list is called the
86 Yet this Magisterium is not superior to without error teach that truth which God, for canon of Scripture. It includes 46 books for the
the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches the sake of our salvation, wished to see con- Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and
only what has been handed on to it. At the ded to the Sacred Scriptures (DV 11). Lamentations as one) and 27 for the New (Cf.
divine command and with the help of the DS 179; 1334-1336; 1501-1504).
Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards 108 Still, the Christian faith is not
it with dedication and expounds it faithfully. a religion of the book. Christianity is the The New Testament
All that it proposes for belief as being divinely religion of the Word of God, not a written
revealed is drawn from this single deposit of and mute word, but incarnate and living (St. 126 We can distinguish three stages in the
faith (DV 10 para 2). Bernard, S. missus est hom. 4, 11: PL 183, formation of the Gospels:
86). If the Scriptures are not to remain a dead 1. The life and teaching of Jesus. The
87 Mindful of Christs words to his apostles: letter, Christ, the eternal Word of the living Church holds rmly that the four Gospels,
He who hears you, hears me (Lk 10:16; cf. God, must, through the Holy Spirit, open whose historicity she unhesitatingly afrms,
LG 20), the faithful receive with docility the [our] minds to understand the Scriptures faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of
teachings and directives that their pastors give (Cf. Lk 24:45). God, while he lived among men, really did
them in different forms. and taught for their eternal salvation, until
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT, INTERPRETER the day when he was taken up (DV 19; cf.
Growth in understanding the faith OF SCRIPTURE Acts 1:1-2).
95 It is clear therefore that, in the supremely 2. The oral tradition. For, after the as-

32 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


cension of the Lord, the apostles handed on has taught by his words and accomplished
to their hearers what he had said and done, by his deeds (St. Caesaria the Younger 133 The Church forcefully and specically
but with that fuller understanding which they, to St. Richildis and St. Radegunde: SCh exhorts all the Christian faithful... to learn
instructed by the glorious events of Christ and 345, 480). the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,
enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now en- by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.
joyed (DV 19). But above all its the gospels that occupy Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of
3. The written Gospels. The sacred my mind when Im at prayer; my poor Christ (DV 25; cf. Phil 3:8 and St. Jerome,
authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected soul has so many needs, and yet this is Commentariorum in Isaiam libri xviii prol.:
certain of the many elements which had been the one thing needful. Im always nding PL 24, 17B).
handed on, either orally or already in written fresh lights there; hidden meanings which
form; others they synthesized or explained with had meant nothing to me hitherto (St.
an eye to the situation of the churches, the Therese of Lisieux, Autobiography of a
while sustaining the form of preaching, but Saint, tr. Ronald Knox (London: Collins,
always in such a fashion that they have told us 1960), 175).
the honest truth about Jesus (DV 19).
V. SACRED SCRIPTURE IN THE LIFE
127 The fourfold Gospel holds a unique place OF THE CHURCH
in the Church, as is evident both in the ven-
eration which the liturgy accords it and in the 131 And such is the force and power of the
surpassing attraction it has exercised on the Word of God that it can serve the Church as
saints at all times: her support and vigor, and the children of the
Church as strength for their faith, food for the
There is no doctrine which could be soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual
better, more precious and more splendid life (DV 21). Hence access to Sacred Scrip-
than the text of the Gospel. Behold and ture ought to be open wide to the Christian
retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, faithful (DV 22).

Would You Like to Help Protestant Clergy and Laity


Enter the Catholic Church?
During the past few years particularly, there have been hundreds of pastors and laymen of every conceivable religious tradition
showing intense interest in the truths of the Catholic Faith and entering with great joy into the Catholic Church. The purpose of
The Coming Home Network International (CHNetwork) is to provide fellowship, encouragement and support for these men
and women who are somewhere along the journey or have already been received into the Catholic Church.
In cooperation with the Catholic Bishops, The Coming Home Network International was established to help inquiring clergy
as well as laity of other traditions return home, and then be at home, in the Catholic Church by providing:
Programs and literature that give clear expression of the Catholic Faith through
The Journey HomeMonday Evenings on EWTN, and the on-going publication,
The CHNetwork Journal.
Contacts, assistance, and fellowship for those who are considering coming into
full communion with the Catholic Church,
Continued fellowship and encouragement for those who have entered the Church,
and want to live fully Catholic lives,
Advocacy with the Church hierarchy to help them discern and discuss how they
are to continue serving once they have come home.

To nd out how you can help the work of the Coming Home Network,
please write to us or visit our website at http://www.chnetwork.org
The Coming Home Network International
P.O. Box 8290 Zanesville, OH 43702-8290 www.chnetwork.org
email: info@chnetwork.org phone: 800-664-5110

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 33


Did the Church Fathers Believe
in Sola Scriptura?
by Joseph Gallegos

William Webster in an essay titled Sola Scriptura and the Early Church has attempted to transform
the early Church Fathers into proponents of sola scriptura. In my contribution in Not by Scripture Alone
(Santa Barbara:Queenship,1997) Chapter 8 and the Appendix, I delineate three approaches used by
Protestant apologists in defending sola scriptura in patristic thought. Mr. Webster has chosen the third
approach; equating sola scriptura with the material sufciency of Scripture.

Mr. Webster writes: at proving the Fathers belief in Scriptures St. Irenaeus writes as if he was anticipating
material sufciency is completely off target. proto-Protestants:
The Reformation was responsible for In order for Mr. Webster to make his case for
restoring to the Church the principle sola scriptura he must prove that the Fathers af- When, however, they are confuted from
of sola scriptura, a principle which had rmed the formal sufciency of Scripture. The the Scriptures, they turn round and ac-
been operative within the Church from Fathers afrmed both the material sufciency cuse these same Scriptures, as if they were
the very beginning of the post apostolic and formal insufciency of Scripture. not correct, nor of authority, and [assert]
age. Initially the apostles taught orally that they are ambiguous, and that the
but with the close of the apostolic age all Mr. Webster states: truth cannot be extracted from them by
special revelation that God wanted pre- those who are ignorant of tradition...It
served for man was codied in the written And there is no appeal in the writings comes to this, therefore, that these men
Scriptures. sola scriptura is the teaching of these fathers to a Tradition that is do now consent neither to Scripture or
and belief that there is only one special oral in nature for a defense of what they tradition (Against Heresies 3,2:1).
revelation from God that man possesses call Apostolic Tradition. The Apostolic
today, the written Scriptures or the Bible, Tradition for Irenaeus and Tertullian is Suppose there arise a dispute relative
and that consequently the Scriptures are simply Scripture. to some important question among us,
materially sufcient and are by their should we not have recourse to the most
very nature as being inspired by God the Notice the sleight of hand by Mr. Webster. ancient Churches with which the apostles
ultimate authority for the Church. He equates St. Irenaeuss and Tertullians under- held constant intercourse, and learn from
standing of Tradition to mean Scripture. Both them what is certain and clear in regard
Two points are to be noted here. First, Mr. of these Fathers clearly understood Tradition as to the present question? For how should
Webster equates sola scriptura with the material a substantive and coordinate authority along- it be if the apostles themselves had not
sufciency of Scripture. Second, according to side Scripture. These same Fathers believed that left us writings? Would it not be necessary,
Mr. Webster, the Reformers were responsible the doctrines of the Catholic Church are found [in that case,] to follow the course of the
for restoring this narrow understanding of sola in Tradition as well as in Scripture. However, tradition which they handed down to those
scriptura. Sola scriptura consists of a material they do not make the misguided conclusion to whom they did commit the Churches?
and a formal element. First, sola scriptura af- that Tradition is equated to Scripture since (Against Heresies 3,4:1).
rms that all doctrines of the Christian faith Tradition includes the same doctrines that
are contained within the corpus of the Old Scripture contains. The primary difference According to Irenaeus, Tradition is sub-
and New Testaments. Hence, Scripture is between Scripture and Tradition is that they stantive in content, normative in authority and
materially sufficient. Secondly, Scripture convey the same teaching but through different continues to live in the Apostolic churches.
requires no other coordinate authority such mediums. One transmits the doctrines via the Likewise Tertullian writes:
as a teaching Church or Tradition in order to written Scriptures while Tradition transmits
determine its meaning. Sola scriptura afrms these same doctrines through the life, faith and Error of doctrine in the churches must
the formal sufciency of Scripture. Catholics practice of the Church. If Scripture is equated necessarily have produced various issues.
are allowed to afrm Scriptures material suf- with Tradition than the writings of St. Irenaeus When, however, that which is deposited
ciency, therefore Mr. Websters case directed and Tertullian are reduced to nonsense. among many is found to be one and the

34 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


same, it is not the result of error, but of Every sort of thing must necessarily re- the apostles, they can no longer appeal
tradition. Can any one, then, be reckless vert to its original for its classication. to the immediate memory, as could the
enough to say that they were in error who Therefore the churches, although they earliest writers. Instead they lay stress on
handed on the tradition (Prescription are so many and so great, comprise but the afrmation that this teaching has
against the Heretics,28). the one primitive church, (founded) by been transmitted faithfully from genera-
the apostles, from which they all (spring). tion to generation. One could say that
Similarly, the words of Tertullian are re- In this way all are primitive, and all are in their thinking, apostolic succession oc-
duced to nonsense if we apply Mr. Websters apostolic, whilst they are all proved to be cupies the same place that is held by the
understanding of Tradition. one, in (unbroken) unity, by their peaceful living memory in the Apostolic Fathers
communion and title of brotherhood, and (ibid., p.188).
Mr. Webster continues: bond of hospitality, privileges which no
other rule directs than the one tradition Clearly, Mr. Webster has not understood
Irenaeus and Tertullian had to contend of the selfsame mystery (Tertullian, On Van Leer, St. Irenaeus and Tertullian. Mr.
with the Gnostics who were the very Prescription Against the Heretics 20). Webster continues:
rst to suggest and teach that they pos-
sessed an Apostolic oral Tradition that Mr. Websters understanding that the The Bible was the ultimate authority for
was independent from Scripture. These Fathers appealed to Scripture alone is simply the fathers of the patristic age. It was ma-
early fathers rejected such a notion and a fantasy. terially sufcient and the nal arbiter in
appealed to Scripture alone for the procla- In support of Mr. Websters novel idea all matters of doctrinal truth. As J.N.D.
mation and defense of doctrine. that St. Irenaeus and Tertullian embraced sola Kelly has pointed out: The clearest token
scriptura he cites Ellen Flessman-Van Leer, a of the prestige enjoyed by (Scripture) is
First, St. Irenaeus and Tertullian had no non-Catholic scholar. Unfortunately for Mr. the fact that almost the entire theological
issue with the concept of an authoritative Webster, Ellen Flessman-Van Leer has writ- effort of the Fathers, whether their aims
Tradition alongside Scripture. Their criticism ten in depth and without equivocation on were polemical or constructive, was
of the Gnostics was with a tradition that was St. Irenaeus and Tertullians understanding expended upon what amounted to the
private and available to only the Gnostic elect of Apostolic Tradition. Mr. Webster wants to exposition of the Bible. Further, it was
in contrast to a Tradition that was public, above leave us with the impression that Van Leer and everywhere taken for granted that, for
board, taught and preserved by the Catholic the Fathers embraced sola scriptura. Nothing any doctrine to win acceptance, it had
Church. This was the point that was foisted could be further from the truth. rst to establish its Scriptural basis (Early
in the face of the Gnostics by St. Irenaeus and Christian Doctrines, San Francisco:
Tertullian: For Irenaeus, on the other hand, Harper & Row,1978,pp. 42,46).
tradition and scripture are both quite un-
But, again, when we refer them to problematic. They stand independently Here we have Mr. Webster misrepresenting
that tradition which originates from side by side, both absolutely authoritative, the faith of J.N.D. Kelly, the Anglican patristic
the apostles, [and] which is preserved by both unconditionally true, trustworthy, scholar. Interesting how Mr. Webster failed to
means of the successions of presbyters in and convincing (Van Leer,Tradition cite the following from the same work:
the Churches, they object to tradition, and Scripture in the Early Church,
saying they themselves are wiser... (Ire- p139). It should be unnecessary to accumulate
naeus, Against Heresies 3,2:2). further evidence. Throughout the whole
Elsewhere Van Leer comments on Tertul- period Scripture and tradition ranked
His testimony, therefore, is true, and the lian: as complementary authorities, media
doctrine of the apostles is open and stead- different in form but coincident in
fast, holding nothing in reserve; nor did Tertullian says explicitly that the apostles content. To inquire which counted as
they teach one set of doctrines in private, delivered their teaching both orally and superior or more ultimate is to pose the
and another in public (Against Heresies later on through epistles, and the whole question in misleading terms. If Scripture
3,15:1). body of this teaching he designates with was abundantly sufcient in principle,
the word traditio...This is tradition in tradition was recognized as the surest clue
[The Apostles] next went forth into the the real sense of the word. It is used for to its interpretation, for in tradition the
world and preached the same doctrine of the original message of the apostles, going Church retained, as a legacy from the
the same faith to the nations. They then back to revelation, and for the message apostles which was embedded in all the
in like manner rounded churches in every proclaimed by the church, which has been organs of her institutional life, an unerr-
city, from which all the other churches, received through the apostles (ibid.,pp. ing grasp of the real purport and meaning
one after another, derived the tradition 146,147,168). of the revelation to which Scripture and
of the faith, and the seeds of doctrine, tradition alike bore witness (Early
and are every day deriving them, that Van Leer concludes: Christian Doctrines, pp. 47-48).
they may become churches. Indeed, it is
on this account only that they will be Irenaeus and Tertullian point to the Mr. Webster then cites several paragraphs
able to deem themselves apostolic, as church tradition as the authoritative from St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Gregory of
being the offspring of apostolic churches. locus of the unadulterated teaching of Nyssa, and St. Basil the Great in support of

The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 35


sola scriptura. Mr. Webster summarizes his Elsewhere, St. Cyril points to the Church not It is clear the early Church Fathers ap-
ndings in the ancient Church: to Scripture for the denition of the canon: pealed to Tradition alongside Scripture. This
Learn also diligently, and from the Church, Tradition was normative, substantive, avail-
These fathers are simply representative what are the books of the Old Testaments, and able to all, and preserved by the Apostolic
of the fathers as a whole. Cyprian, Ori- what those of the New (Catechetical Lectures Churches, particularly the See of Rome.
gen, Hippolytus, Athanasius, Firmilian, ,4:33).
Augustine are just a few of the fathers St. Gregory of Nyssa (c.A.D. 335-
that could be cited as proponents of the 394),brother of St. Basil the Great, Doctor
principle of sola scriptura, in addition to of the Catholic Church and bishop of Nyssa
Tertullian, Irenaeus, Cyril and Gregory writes:
Joseph A. Gallegos is a graduate of the
of Nyssa. The early Church operated on
University of California, Irvine and West Coast
the basis of the principle of sola scriptura [F]or it is enough for proof of our state-
University, Los Angeles. He is very active in
and it was this historical principle that ment, that the TRADITION has come
Catholic apologetics, having created Corunum
the Reformers sought to restore to the down to us from our fathers, handed on,
Apologetics BBS in 1992, and an international
Church. like some inheritance, by succession from
website (http://www.cin.org/users/jgallegos)
the apostles and the saints who came af-
for his expertise on patristic thought regard-
For a complete rebuttal to the above claim ter them. They, on the other hand, who
ing the Papacy and Tradition. He is the author
I refer to my contribution in Not by Scrip- change their doctrines to this novelty,
of What Did the Church Fathers Teach About
ture Alone (Santa Barbara: Queenship, 1997), would need the support of arguments in
Scripture, Tradition, and Church Authority in
Chapter 8 What did the Church Fathers teach abundance, if they were about to bring
Not by Scripture Alone (Queenship Publishing,
about Scripture, Tradition and Church and over to their views, not men light as dust,
1997).
Appendix: A Dossier of Church Fathers on and unstable, but men of weight and
Scripture and Tradition. steadiness: but so long as their statement
There are a couple of recurring themes is advanced without being established,
throughout the writings of the Church Fathers and without being proved, who is so
on the rule of faith. First, the Fathers afrmed foolish and so brutish as to account the
that the most perfect expression of the Apos- teaching of the evangelists and apostles,
tolic faith is to be found in Sacred Scripture. and of those who have successively shone
The Fathers afrmed the material sufciency like lights in the churches, of less force
of Scripture. According to the Fathers, all than this undemonstrated nonsense?
doctrines of the Catholic faith are to be (Against Eunomius,4:6).
found within its covers. Secondly, the Fathers
afrmed in the same breath and with equal St. Basil the Great (A.D. 329-379), Doc-
conviction that the Apostolic faith also has tor of the Catholic Church, bishop of Caesarea,
been transmitted to the Church through Tra- and brother St. Gregory of Nyssas writes:
dition. According to the Fathers, the Scriptures
can only be interpreted within the Catholic Of the dogmas and kergymas preserved
Church in light of her Sacred Tradition. The in the Church, some we possess from writ-
Fathers, particularly those who combated her- ten teaching and others we receive from
esies, afrmed that the fatal aw of heretics the tradition of the Apostles, handed on to
was interpreting Scripture according to their us in mystery. In respect to piety both are
private understanding apart from mother of the same force. No one will contradict
Church and her Tradition. In sum, when the any of these, no one, at any rate, who
Fathers afrmed the sufciency and author- is even moderately versed in manners
ity of Scripture, they did so not in a vacuum, ecclesiastical. Indeed, were we to try to
but within the framework of an authoritative reject the unwritten customs as having
Church and Tradition. Let me cite passages no great authority, we would unwittingly
from the same Fathers Mr. Webster used. injure the Gospel in its vitals; or rather,
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c.A.D 315-386), we would reduce kergyma to a mere term
Doctor and Catholic bishop of Jerusalem (Holy Spirt 27:66).
between A.D.348-350 writes: But in learning
the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep Irenaeus, Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory of
that only, which is now delivered to thee by Nyssa, and Basil are the only Fathers cited by
the CHURCH, and which has been built up Mr. Webster in support of sola scriptura. I have
strongly out of all the SCRIPTURES (Cat- provided passages from these same Fathers to
echetical Lectures, 5:12). provide the necessary balance. It would be easy
Mr. Webster provided this passage but for anyone to cut and paste the Fathers to their
I add it here to draw attention to St. Cyrils liking, however to nd the authentic faith of a
Catholic understanding of the rule of faith. Father we must look at their entire writings.

36 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


Before you object
Sola Scripura: A Stony Path
by Marcus C. Grodi
Before you object to what has been said in the preceding articles, I would encourage you to consider
carefully the implications of the following passage from Deuteronomy:

Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to it or take from it. If a
prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder
which he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known,
and let us serve them, you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams; for
the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and
obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to him. BUT THAT PROPHET OR THAT DREAMER
OF DREAMS SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH, BECAUSE HE HAS TAUGHT REBELLION AGAINST
THE LORD YOUR GOD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house
of bondage, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. SO YOU
SHALL PURGE THE EVIL FROM THE MIDST OF YOU.
Deuteronomy 12.32-13.5

A s you contemplate the above pas-


sage, remember that when Jesus
confounded the devil during his forty-days in
teaching that God is found only in Jesus or
in the Holy Spirit. What should you do with
these teachers of rebellion?
everything laid down by the law or written in the
prophets (Acts 24.14).
What will you tell your elders and con-
the desert, he relied upon the authority and Now I suppose having them stoned seems gregation they should do with the schismatics
truth of this book (Deut 8.3; 6.16; and 6.13). a bit violent in our modern civilized (?) so- in your midst? And what about those of your
And when he summarized the Law into the ciety, but this was the prescribed punishment congregation who follow them, for the Scrip-
Greatest Commandment he again conrmed of choice, described in Scripture: You shall tures command that you stone them as well
the authority of this and other books of Moses stone him to death with stones, because he sought (Deut. 13.6-11)? And how will you handle
(Deut. 6.5 and Lev. 19.18). Also, remember to draw you away from the Lord your GodAnd any ghts that may break out amongst your
that it is upon the fact that Jesus quoted from all Israel shall hear, and fear, and never again do warring ock? The Scriptures are very strict
these books that most Protestant scholars, any such wickedness as this among you. (Deut. about what must be done (you MUST read
preachers and teachers begin building the 13.10-11) Deut. 25.11-12!!).
doctrine of sola scriptura. You can tell by the wording of this passage Now Im not bringing these regulations
Now considering this passage, how would that there were still a few of the leaders inging to your attention because I think we should
you, or should you, interpret and apply this sheep* for this punishment, but more impor- rethink how we deal with schismatics or
passage if you were the pastor of an inde- tantly you can see that there is great benet to family squabbles. Rather Im pointing out
pendent Christian Bible Church, responsible the future stability of your congregation if you how dangerous the doctrine of sola scriptura
to no one but Jesus through the Holy Spirit? heed these instructions from Gods Word. can be and has been ever since it was rst
What are you to do with those prophets and Now you might say that as the New coined by the fteenth and sixteenth century
dreamers in your midst who claim private Testament Church you are not held by these Reformers. When the wisdom and guidance
messages from God who then attempt to pull Old Testament Jewish regulations. However, of Sacred Tradition and the Church Magiste-
people from your congregation in directions as emphatically as the apostle Paul may have rium were thrown to the wind, Christendom
different from where you believe God is call- exhorted his followers to cease being slaves to fell victim to every wind of doctrine (Eph.
ing you? Lets say you have chosen to teach the Law, when push came to shove he confessed 4.14). In fact it was in this context that Paul
your people the Trinitarian and Christologi- his unswerving loyalty to it: But this I admit begged the Ephesian believers to maintain the
cal formulas of the third and fourth century to you, that according to the Way, which they call unity of the Spirit, recognizing that Christ
Ecumenical Councils, while these new lead- a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing had gifted His Body with apostles, prophets,
ersconrmed by signs and wondersare
The Coming Home Network International The Coming Home Journal 37
evangelists, pastors and teachers to enable the much more aware of how I unconsciously cat- ing Christ our Savior was when He gave us the
Church to attain to the unity of The Faith egorized Bible passages into those that were Church guided by His Spirit. Obedience to
(Eph. 4.1-16). easily interpreted and preached (such as John Her might keep us all from becoming rightful
Now granted some of the men and wom- 3.16, Romans 8.28, or Galatians 2.20) from candidates for stoning!
en who have held these positions of Church those that needed quick explanations (such as
leadership throughout Her history have done those referenced above, as well as Matthew * (Why else would Moses need to be re-
much to sever this unity. Some have made 16.16-19, John 6.51ff, Hebrews 6.4-6, and dundant about emphasizing that stoning is to
unity so downright uncomfortable that one James 2.24). I have come to realize that we be done with stones?)
could nearly justify breaking free to be all that Protestant clergy had an unspoken way of
Paul exhorted a Church to be. But then on dealing with difcult, uncomfortable verses
what side of Deuteronomy 13 would one fall? like the later list. Wed essentially let them sit
And once youve successfully dodged all the until we heard or read someone we highly re-
stones, when might you need to start throwing spected give a plausible, believable, repeatable
stones of your own? answerthat also passed the litmus tests of our
Ive become recently more sensitized to other accepted dogma. This we then memo-
these dangers of sola scriptura because Ive been rized and added to our list of quick knee-jerk
using the Coming Home Networks new Read responses.
The Bible and Catechism In a Year brochure. For I strongly encourage all of you, Catholic
the rst time since seminary 15-years ago Im or Protestant, to do the same--read carefully
attempting to read the Bible straight through through the entire Bible, even those passages
from cover-to-cover. In doing so my eyes are that are a bit tedious. As you do so, be sure
becoming newly opened to the vast number to note the many, many verses that are not so
of scripture passages that can pose grave dif- easy to explain at rst glance. When you doif
culties for modern interpreters. As I ruminate you doI strongly encourage you to recognize
on my years as a Protestant pastor, Im now with great thanksgiving how gracious and lov-

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Catholic Doctrine in Scripture


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38 The Coming Home Journal The Coming Home Network International


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