Why Is Sola Scriptura Unreasonable?

Why Is Sola Scriptura Unreasonable?

Protestants believe the Bible is the only source for determining Christian truth. But as Karlo Broussard shows this belief is incoherent. If followed to its logical conclusion, Protestants would have to reject their knowledge of what Scripture is.

Copyright Catholic Answers, Inc. 2016

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About Karlo Broussard:

Karlo holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology from Catholic Distance University and the Augustine Institute, and is currently working on his masters in philosophy with Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He also worked for several years in an apprenticeship with nationally known author and theologian Fr. Robert J. Spitzer at the Magis Center of Reason and Faith.

Karlo is one of the most dynamic and gifted Catholic speakers on the circuit today, communicating with precision of thought, a genuine love for God, and an enthusiasm that inspires.

Script:

Protestants believe the Bible is the only source for determining Christian truth. This doctrine is called Sola Scriptura, which is Latin for “Scripture Alone.”

But did you know that this fundamental doctrine of Protestantism is incoherent? Let me explain!

Notice the doctrine presupposes knowledge of what scriptura is—those books inspired by God that belong in the Bible. But if the Bible is the only source of Christian truth, then we couldn’t have such knowledge. Why? Because the Bible never tells us which books are inspired.

If Sola Scriptura were true, then we couldn't know what scripture is. Do you see how it’s self-refuting?

Even if the Bible did give us a list of inspired books, and we believed the Bible was inspired, we couldn’t accept that list lest we be guilty of circular reasoning—“Why do you believe the biblical books are inspired?” “Because they say they’re inspired.” “Well, why do you believe them when they say that?” “Because they’re inspired.”

The only way to acknowledge the inspiration of Scripture and avoid circular reasoning is to appeal to an infallible Church established by Christ that tells us which books are inspired. But Protestants reject this idea, which gives rise to another conundrum.

If no infallible Church exists, and Protestants believe our knowledge that the biblical books are inspired is infallible, then we would have an infallible effect produced by a fallible cause, which is absurd.

The bottom line is Sola Scriptura is an unreasonable doctrine. So, of my Protestant friends I ask, “Why believe in a doctrine that can’t stand up to the scrutiny of reason?”

For Catholic Answers, I’m Karlo Broussard. Thanks for watching.

[danielelam]

Here is a crazy thought. Could it ACTUALLY be because YOU DIDN'T CREATE YOURSELF, and maybe it was NEVER YOUR DECISION!? Maybe because... I don't know. GOD IS YOUR FATHER and you need to just SHUT UP for once and LET HIM ACTUALLY LOVE YOU!?! I guess some things in life are just a HUGE MYSTERY. That only sounds crazy, BECAUSE IT'S TRUE.

[Mygoalwogel]

The Tawahedo Canon, the Peshitta Canon, the Greco-Russian Canon, The Papal Canon, and the Protestant Canon all differ. They all share the homologoumena books and all have discrepancies among antilegomena books.

So we can dismiss the exaggerated claim that some one council magically created one definitive canon one day.

Homologoumena has always been accepted by Assyrian Church of the East, Miaphysites, Palamists, Protestants, and Papists from the time of the Apostles until today. Even the Popes don't fret that Byzantine Catholics chant the portions of their longer canon in their Holy Liturgy. Antilogoumena books do not present a challenge to Anglican or Lutheran protestants because they don't contradict their doctrines anywhere.

[Super-chad]

Protestants may reason that the _Scriptures_ written by the _Inspired Apostles_ are 'infallible' but, not the Church of Rome, as they reject its supreme authority. They may also believe that this infallible lineage was completed at the death of the Apostles, and not successively passed down through the _Infallible Church_ as well as the acceptability of the error that the 'church' that is desired to practise the bible lies in the secular Protestant churches that dot the 6 continents

[mdechristi]

Abe Froeman said:
_A problem Karlo is that you give an incorrect definition what sola scriptura is. It is that scripture alone is the only infallible rule for the church. Not the only rule but the only infallible of faith. And while the Pope can interpret scripture he is not above it...._

2 errors there. First of all, where does Scripture say that it is the only infallible rule for the Church? It doesn't. What Scripture says is that the Church is the only infallible Teacher of the Wisdom of God. Let me show you.

-*Ephesians **3:10** To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, *

And this is true because Jesus Christ appointed the Church as the Teacher of all He commanded:

*Matthew **28:18** And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:*

[mdechristi]

Thirty three said:

_Oh I see. The only way we know what God wants from us is if a group of old men in dresses tells us what to believe and do. _

That reminds me of a scene from the Emperor's New Groove. But, anyway, the angel in that scene was correct. They are not dresses. They are *robes*. But, that's besides the point, whether they be dresses or robes, it is our leaders who wear them and the Scripture says:

-Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

So, whom do you submit to and obey? Oh, I know, nobody but yourself. Because faith is between you and Christ. Never mind that Jesus appointed the Church to make disciples of the world. In your mind, you will eschew the Church and deny Christ's authority. But here's what Christ says about that:

-Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

So, when you despise the Church, you despise Christ, who established her and continues to speak through her to this day.

[mikehamlin]

The one thing that ALL false religions have in common is they convince their followers that the Bible is not the sole authority by which God has revealed His truth. Then they can get them to believe anything.

[shawndurham]

Was the church infallible when they killed Wycliffe & refused to allow people to read the Bible ?

[auntiegrizelda]

3 scriptures that contradict solascriptura: 1 Tim 3:15 The pillar & foundation of TRUTH is the CHURCH. 2 Thess 2:15 We are to hold fast to the TRADITIONS we have been given, either by WORD of MOUTH, or by the letter. John 21:25 Jesus said & did many things that are too numerous to be recorded in writing.

[abefroeman]

A problem Karlo is that you give an incorrect definition what sola scriptura is. It is that scripture alone is the only infallible rule for the church. Not the only rule but the only infallible of faith. And while the Pope can interpret scripture he is not above it. What I am seeing a little too much lately from CA is an Ahistorical view of the reformation and a lack of understanding of why the reformers were reforming. I say this not only as someone who has also studied this but also as someone who deeply cares for Catholics and I am connected to several of them where I live. I know Catholics have been frustrated by protestants miss representing them and I think at the same time it's important that protestant views are represented accurately. 🙂

[wilfojac]

i love his "solution" to circular reasoning in the divinity of the bible is to appeal to an authority based on the bible.