Sola Scriptura: why I believe it and how it works

Sola Scriptura is the idea that the Bible is the final authority on what Christians believe and how we live. In this video I’ll explain it simply, give some biblical reasons to support Sola Scriptura and deal with some Catholic rebuttals to it. I’m hoping this is a charitable and gracious experience for everyone even though I know it will be hard stuff for some people to hear. I am convinced this is a huge issue because so many of the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not found in Scripture but in selected traditions.
Some points from the video are.
1- Sola Scriptura is a natural understanding of what it means to have inspired Scripture.
2- In Old Testament times they were to test future teachers and teachings by the Scripture they had received.
3- in the New Testament the gospel, once communicated, was to be held to no matter who came to teach otherwise. This absolutely requires individual understanding of the gospel (which is in the New Testament) and the ability to tell any potential “authority” to take a hike.
4- challenges about denominations or the origin of the canon are not defectors for Sola Scriptura.
5- Striking Parallels between Catholicism and Pharisaism seem to demonstrate precedence for how to deal with supposed church authority when it ads tradition to the commands of God.

[trialbyicecream]

I’ve been going down a bit of a sola scriptura rabbit hole this week, and I’m really appreciating this. Thanks brother.

[ClauGutierrezY]

Sola Scriptura makes me happy, it's so great to go to the Bible knowing that it contains God's authoritative and perfect word for the ages as it is for daily life. Thank you God!

[spartankongcountry]

I search up a topic and there's always Pastor Winger who explains it with grace.

[AlexanderosD]

Wish I got to see this one live!!! q.q
I came to faith straight through the scripture, and it's truly been what has kept me centered on Jesus and kept me from floating off into the many traditions and "christianisms" that pop up.
Rad work Mike, keep that clear and clean focus brother!

[jeffreyjourdonais]

In Catholicism you aren't allowed to disagree with them.

[cormac]

Mike you don't have to apologize for explaining your view. As a Catholic I come here to see different views so don't worry about offending me, that's your job.

[lukasmakarios]

Irenaeus would have gotten it from Polycarp, and Polycarp would have gotten it from the Apostle John, who apparently never said that Mary was bodily assumed to Heaven. And since John cared for Mary in his own house, this would have been so notable an event, that surely he would have mentioned it if it had really happened. So, obviously, this is a spurious teaching of the Papacy, and not a valid interpretation based on Scripture.

[benmunro]

Thanks Mike, really blessed by your ministry. God has used lots of your videos to help grow my confidence in His character and word. Last year I was having very big doubts for the first time in my life and it really sent me down a terrible mental path but through your ministry and other local ones I've been apart of I can now say with all my heart God is so good and worth telling people about. Your content has been the discussion point with some of my athiest and agnostic workmates and it's the first time I've ever had the confidence to share Christ proudly and confidently. Won't it be wonderful when all of us from around the world come together in heaven to worship our God and Saviour!!

[Lau_rah]

I started my journey at a non-denominational church. I was also reading the Bible and reading the Gospels convinced me that Jesus is the Son of God, he died for our sins and by His mercy, have been saved through Him. I started looking into Catholicism because I felt the non-denominational church was lacking in teaching of the gospel. I knew nothing about Catholicism, so I started listening to Catholics explain their religion and looking into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What I’ve noticed is that when I put on the Catholic glasses, their theology makes sense. When I put on the Protestant glasses, their theology also makes sense. This comes from not having a bias toward any particular denomination. I’m a scientist and what I’ve noticed is that a lot of apologetics is similar to bad science. People pick and choose data from the Bible to fit their tradition. Everyone does this so everyone makes good competing points, not just Catholics VS Protestants, but also Protestants VS Protestants. As a new convert, this is confusing but also fascinating to me. I’m still looking for a church. There’s so many options with different interpretations of scripture. I want to be in community but don’t feel like I can trust anyone’s interpretation of the Bible. Praying that God will give me discernment and guide me!

[johnsmallberries]

Soooo glad I left the papacy - thank God for His Grace and the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ.

[ResonantTonalityMusic]

The appeal of Catholicism is how easy it is. Sure, you'd think it was difficult with all the stuff you have to do, but in terms of the way man works in the greater schemes of the "seeking of purpose", it's SO easy. You follow these specific laws, you rectify any point in which you violated those laws, you do specific things, and otherwise live your life as you wish or pursue a lifestyle rising to a position within the church. It is a simple solution to purpose beyond having to listen to God, which requires true effort in getting closer with and understanding Him because He is unseen (for the most part). With Catholicism, and any similar religious structure, you can see a living man as or in the place/authority of God. Because you can see this man, it is easier. Because this man interprets that specific works must be done for what God has promised, it can be approached with less thinking and more doing and *mostly* feeling.

In a job, you must climb the corporate ladder, and impress the authority. With God, you are not climbing the salvation ladder, and He has already found you worthy. There is just Salvation, by just Faith, by just Jesus, who's doctrines are presented by just Scripture. So let me be anathema, I suppose.

[kirjian]

It's insane how many people in the comments didn't watch the full video to comment something that Mike addresses later on. Learn to listen y'all!

[fighterxaos]

I'm a Trinitarian Pentecostal and I totally agree with what you said about "God in a box" and how sometimes I'm like "true" and other times it's like "you're just trying to bring in heresy". I also totally agree that if you have what you feel is a revelation or a supernatural experience or a dream test it with scripture. Just because it's supernatural doesn't mean it's from God

[danbrown]

As a suggestion on Church history, I'd endorse Nick Needham's four-volume set entitled "2000 Years of Christ's Power." It's written for lay adults, so might be a bit advanced for middle-school, but a diligent high-schooler should be fine. It's clear, thorough, and very readable.

[watusi]

As a Catholic, eventhough I disagree with your views, I appreciate the respect and openess towards the catholic church.

[EricBryant]

So Pastor Mike, here are my next two questions:

1. Which of Christianity do you think is the truest?

2. Granting you that Sola Scriptura is true. Who has the authority to properly interpret Scripture? Those given the Teaching office? The individual Christian in light of his own conscience? The individual Christian, informed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. 1 John 2:27)? Some Church institution? The Church as a whole? Only those Christians trained in hermeneutics and exegesis?

[canabiss]

as a new Christian, I would never have thought to go to catholic or some other authority.. that is just so outside the realm of what I would expect to do since the Bible mentions no such thing... thank God !

[RobotMowerTricks]

“Scripture alone is the final authority on faith and practice.”
This is probably the best alternative definition I've heard. I'm adding it to my notes.
The other best definition I've heard is this:

“With respect to special revelation, scripture alone is the only infallible rule of faith and practice.”

What you do not want to do is rule out natural revelation as the support structure by which you come to know what special revelation is.

[stefanosbir]

As a former Catholic, good stuff. Unlike many protestants, you criticize truly Catholic doctrine. There are a whole lot of strawman attacks against Catholicism; but you are one of the best about making sure that what you disprove is what the RCC actually teaches.

On the other hand, what you never really address with this is the Orthodox churches (both EO and OO). These share the Catholic claim of keeping not only the Scriptures, but the traditions of the apostles. Here is the important point: They criticize the RCC for its many "innovations" that have been added to RCC dogma long after the apostolic age - like as you mentioned, the sinless birth and assumption of the body of Mary. Yet, like with the RCC, many EO and OO teachings do not square with Scripture.

I think that this speaks to the claims, by both groups, that they have authoritative truth via tradition. The disagreements between these confirm that tradition is not an infallible conduit of truth.

[rcmogo]

"Some say there are too many Christian denominations, which is the result of 'Sola Scriptura.' Those in my camp would argue the opposite is true. That denominations happen because people add traditions onto the text of scripture or they just depart from scripture altogether and that creates more and more separate groups."

This has been a burning question of mine for a while and web searches haven't sufficed. You are always blessing me and my family, Pastor Mike! Thank you!!