Notes on Sola Scriptura

Assorted notes on the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. A work-in-progress.

Links

• A Fruitful exhortation to the reading of holy Scripture
• Sixth Article of Religion
• VIDEO: Gavin Ortlund - Did Augustine Affirm Sola Scriptura?
• The Gospel Coalition: Augustine Actually Affirmed Sola Scriptura

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Isaiah 8:20

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lantern unto my feet : and a light unto my paths.

Quotes

In those things which are plainly laid down in Scripture, all things are found, which embrace faith and morals. - St Augustine

We know that the Scriptures are perfect as being spoken by the Word of God and His Spirit. - St Irenaeus

Scenario: What about when a pagan wishes to become a Christian, but he sees all these rival groups in the church, and doesn’t know which one to pick?
Answer: What then shall we say to the heathen? There comes a heathen and says, ‘I wish to become a Christian, but I know not whom to join: there is much fighting and faction among you, much confusion: which doctrine am I to choose?’ How shall we answer him? ‘Each of you’ (says he) ‘asserts, “I speak the truth.”’
No doubt: this is in our favor. For if we told you to be persuaded by arguments, you might well be perplexed: but if we bid you believe the Scriptures, and these are simple and true, the decision is easy for you. If any agree with the Scriptures, he is the Christian; if any fight against them, he is far from this rule. - St John Chrysostom

Philodox. What is to be the supreme judgment upon earth in controversies of faith? Orth. If you mean a judgment authoritatively decisive, which is simply infallible and authentic, you have had my opinion already. But if you mean a ministerial one, the judgment of a General Council doth far outweigh the judgment of the Pope. For the Scripture saith: "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." (1 Cor. xiv. 32.) It doth not say to Peter, nor to the Pope, nor to any one; but to "the prophets," that is, to a company or assembly of the prophets. But a General Council is much the most famous assembly of the prophets: and therefore the "spirits of the prophets are to be subject" to this.

But "things ordained by such councils, as necessary to salvation, have neither strength nor authority unless it may be declared that they are taken out of holy Scripture" (Acts xxi.), as the Church of England truly teacheth. Therefore the decrees of councils are to be conformed to this, as to the rule (i.e. standard), that all men may rest upon the faith of the divine truth, and not upon the specious appearance of human authority. For God delegated to His prophets no more than the ministry of giving judgment. They must, therefore, only give sentence according to the written will of CHRIST. Thus the holy Scripture alone is the absolute rule; and the HOLY GHOST alone, speaking in the Scriptures, is the infallible Judge. — Francis Mason, Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ