Why Sola Scriptura is a False Teaching

"Sola scriptura," a Latin term meaning "by Scripture alone," is a theological principle that emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. It asserts that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice, rejecting any role for tradition or the Church's magisterium (its authoritative teaching office) in determining the teachings of Christianity. This principle is wrong.

Firstly, the doctrine is self-defeating. Under its own logic, this principle must be found in the Bible to be Christian doctrine. Yet nowhere does the Bible claim to be the only source of divine revelation or instruction for Christians.

Sola scriptura proponents will often cite 2 Timothy 3:16-17, but the passage does not support the principle. Rather, it states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." While this passage affirms the inspired and useful nature of Scripture, it gives no indication that it is the sole authority.

To the contrary, there are even biblical reasons to reject sola scriptura. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 urges Christians to "stand firm and hold to the traditions" taught by word of mouth or by letter, indicating that apostolic tradition was also considered authoritative. This challenges the "sola scriptura" premise by demonstrating the New Testament's acknowledgment of other forms of authoritative teaching.

"Sola scriptura" also faces historical and practical challenges. The canon of Scripture was not definitively established until the 4th century, meaning that for several hundred years, the early Church relied on apostolic tradition and the teaching authority of church leaders to guide its faith and practice. If "sola scriptura" were true, the early Church would have been without an authoritative guide, a notion that seems both impractical and inconsistent with the providence of God in preserving His Church.

The existence of numerous Christian denominations, each with differing interpretations of Scripture, underscores the difficulty of relying on the Bible alone for doctrinal authority. Without an authoritative interpreter, such as the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, "sola scriptura" leads to interpretive chaos, with no clear way to resolve disputes over doctrine.

The Catholic Church teaches that divine revelation is transmitted through both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as both flow from the same divine wellspring. This teaching is grounded in the understanding that Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, entrusted His teachings to the Apostles, who passed them on to their successors both orally and in written form.

The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, serves as the custodian and interpreter of both Scripture and Tradition. This model ensures a living continuity with the apostolic faith and provides a means to authentically interpret Scripture in light of the fullness of divine revelation.

While "sola scriptura" might initially appear as a simplification of Christian authority to the clear, written word of God, it suffers from significant theological, historical, and practical shortcomings. The lack of explicit biblical support, the historical development of the canon, and the evident need for an authoritative interpreter argue persuasively against it. The Catholic understanding of divine revelation, encompassing both Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the Church, provides a more coherent and historically grounded approach to understanding the faith once delivered to the saints. This holistic view honors the richness of God's revelation and the role of His Church in guiding believers in truth and unity.