Solae Scriptura: Scripture Alone

Just in time for Reformation Day (October 31st) I have decided to take a look at the creedo of the Reformation. The Five Sola or Solus are Sola Gratia (By Grace Alone), Sola Christus (thru Christ alone), Sola de Gloria (To God be the Glory Alone), and Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). Generally the order begins with Sola Scriptura, and so we shall look at it. Scripture is the supreme written authority that we as Christians measure, judge, and guide our lives. It must be the only documents, Old and New Testaments, that we use to check every experience and to reprove those who are in error. The Apostle Paul said, "Scripture is useful for reproof, correction, instruction and teaching." (2 Timothy 3:16). It is "God breathed," (2 Timothy 3:16) and so is elevated above all other texts, journals, and documents. The Holy Spirit helped the Apostles pen each book and so we have the certainty of their credibility and correct doctrine.

The Scriptures are a collection of 66 Books. The Apocrypha is omitted from most Bibles because the books are not authenticated and they have relatively no value in learning about Christ, connecting with Christ, and building up the faith. All other documents must submit to Scripture's measure, and all other book are inferior and are marked with corruptions. As Christians we must not revere to highly the Patristic Fathers, Scholars like Augustine of Hippo, Jerome, Thomas Aquinas, and even C.S. Lewis. These men may have had clever ideas, but many of them delved into falsenhoods that contradict Holy Scripture. St. Cyril, a patristic father ardently defends that Baptism saves and sanctifies, but Scripture says Faith and believing (John 3:16) in Christ Jesus is sufficient for salvation.  C.S. Lewis who is widley beloved by Westerners, wrote Mere Christianity and was formidable apologist, but in his final book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, an arab (Calormen) character is admitted into New Narnia (New Jerusalem/Heaven) by Aslan because this arab even though serving Tash (false god) was really seeking Aslan. Lewis has stepped into Universalism and Unitarianism in his last Chronicle.

Only The Bible is trustworthy. All other books inevitably lead us astray. It is Scripture Alone that acts are guide book under God. People try to caste doubt on the Bible, by asking about the Gnostic gospels, Gospel of Thomas, and Dead Sea Scrolls. But those books have not the thousands upon thousands of copies. Our 66 Books have been found in quantities of 4,000 copies, and the originals as well. Plato's works only has one surviving copy and yet he is trusted in Universities! The truth is everyone who attacks Scripture wants their own philosophy, doctrines, creeds, and ideas to be paramount. They know their man made religion and asceticisms cannot stand before the Lord and His word. So they like Satan, try to question the Bible authenticity in order to gain their advantage and espouse their adoration for some other philosophy and spiritism.

I have gleamed the words of St. Cyril, St. Chystome, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. (Pope) John Paul II, St. C.S. Lewis, St. J.R.R. Tolkien, and more. All of them have cleaver and convincing arguments, concepts, and copies of the holiness, but they fall short. They introduce "destructive heresies," that make people's faith shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19). They mean well, but do great harm. Do not trust in their words or those of other men. Even my posts must be measured and tested by The Bible.

In the end you must trust in Christ and use the Bible as your brand (sword) and buckler. Do not accept the ideas of sages, scholars, and serious religious men. Test their sayings with Scripture and see if they are in harmony or are "found wanting." (Daniel 5:27).