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8 BIBLE ALONE (SOLA SCRIPTURA) REFUTING THE PRINCIPLES OF PROTESTANTISM “BIBLE ALONE”

9 THE SKELETAL PRINCIPLE OF PROTESTANTISM RULE OF FAITH IS THE “BIBLE ALONE” (SOLA SCRIPTURA)

10 –Christ left no authoritative teaching Church But in fact God’s plan includes a teaching Church (See Mt. 16: and Luke 10:16) –Principle of “private judgment” But individuals would invariably disagree about what they understand God says. –Bible is complete Even the bible says it is not complete (See Jn: 21-25)

11 Matthew 16: And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Mt 16:18). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

12 Luke 10:16 16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Lk 10:16). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

13 Principle of “Private Judgment” But individuals would invariably disagree about what they understand God says.

14 2 Peter 1: Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, 21 for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996). The New American Bible: translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (2 Pe 1:2021). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

15 John 21:25 (Even the bible says it is not complete ) 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written whole world would contain the books that would be written. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Jn 21:25). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

16 TOP TEN REASONS FOR REJECTION OF “SOLA SCRIPTURA”

17 #1 SOLA SCRIPTURA is a Self-refuting Doctrine Bible does not support SOLA SCRIPTURA (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

18 2 Timothy 3: and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (2 Ti 3:16). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

19 #3 The Church is the “Pillar & Bulwark of Truth” (1 Timothy 3:15) 15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (1 Ti 3:15). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

20 #4 The Church is the Final Authority (Matthew 18:15-17) 15 “If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. 16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Mt 18:15). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

21 Second Council of Lyons (March 21, 1272) “The Holy Roman Church possesses the supreme and full primacy and principality over the whole Catholic Church... And since before all others she has the duty of defending the truth of faith, so if any questions arise concerning the faith, it is by her judgment that they must be settled.”

22 #5 The Bible is Not Plain and Simple (Acts 8:27-31) 27 So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Ac 8:27). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

23 #5 The Bible is Not Plain and Simple (2 Peter 3:16) 16 speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (2 Pe 3:16). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

24 #6 No Rule of Faith for Early Christians The bible was canonized only in the 4th century The New Testament was written around A.D. Printing was invented only in the 16th century

25 #7 The Holy Spirit is Guaranteed to the Church (John 14:25-26) 25 “I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Jn 14:25). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

26 #7 The Holy Spirit is Guaranteed to the Church (John 16:13) 13 But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Jn 16:13). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

27 #8 The doctrine of Sola Scriptura was introduced for the first time only around the 14th century by John Wycliffe, a forerunner of Protestant Reformation

28 #9 The Doctrine Produces Bad Fruit (Division and Moral Relativism) The world seeks to conform the teaching of Christ’s Church to fallen human desires and sinful lifestyles while the Church seeks to conform human lives to the teachings of Christ.

29 #10 Seven OT Books Missing! The books of Wisdom Judith Tobit Ecclesiastes Baruch 1 & 2 Maccabees Part of Ester and Daniel Removed from the Alexandrian or Greek Canon (“Septuagint”) which was the translation used by Jesus and the New Testament writers.

30 RULE OF FAITH INCLUDES APOSTOLIC TRADITION

31 2 Thessalonians 2:15 15 Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (2 Th 2:15). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

32 CCC …the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."

33 Only traditions that contravene the Word of God are condemned in scriptures CCC 82

34 Colossians 2:8 8 See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Col 2:8). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

35 Matthew 15:1-6 1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash (their) hands when they eat a meal.” 3 He said to them in reply, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is dedicated to God,” 6 need not honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Board of Trustees, Catholic Church. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, & United States Catholic Conference. Administrative Board. (1996, c1986). The New American Bible : Translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient sources and the revised New Testament (Mt 15:1). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

36 Only sacred/apostolic Tradition is part of the Word of God

37 CCC The Tradition here in question comes from the apostles and hands on what they received from Jesus' teaching and example and what they learned from the Holy Spirit. The first generation of Christians did not yet have a written New Testament, and the New Testament itself demonstrates the process of living Tradition.

38 THE “MAGISTERIUM” (TEACHING OFFICE) IS THE GUARDIAN AND INTERPRETER OF THE WORD

39 It’s task is to listen, guard, expound and interpret the Word

40 CCC "The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.“ This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.

41 CCC "Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication, and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith."

42 CCC … It is this Magisterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church's shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals…

43 The Magisterium is lodged in the Pope and the College of bishops provided they are united with him –“ The College or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor” (Lumen Gentium 22)

44 The Magisterium is equipped with the gift of Infallibility

45 DECLARATIONOF VATICAN COUNCIL I ON PAPAL INFALLIBILITY (Pastor Aeternus – July 18, 1970) “Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian faith, to the glory of God our savior, for the exaltation of the Catholic religion and for the salvation of the Christian people, with the approval of the Sacred Council, we teach and define as a divinely revealed dogma that when the Pontiff speaks EX CATHEDRA, that is, when in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church, he possesses, by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed his Church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith and morals. Therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are of themselves, and not by the consent of the Church, irreformable."

46 The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its Doctrinal Commentary on Professio Fidei dated June 29, 1998, provides the instances of the exercise of papal infallibility as follows: “These doctines are contained in the Word of God, written or handed down, and defined with a solemn judgment as divinely revealed truths either by the Roman Pontiff when he speaks ‘ex cathedra,’ or by the College of Bishops gathered in council, or infallibly proposed for belief by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.” Note: Example of dogmas defined by the College of Bishops are “Lumen Gentium” and “Dei Verbum” of the Second Vatican Council

47 Therefore, the conditions for Papal Infallibility are: 1.A decision of the supreme teaching authority of the Church (pope or College of Bishops in union with the pope); 2.Concern a doctrine of faith and morals; 3.Bind the universal Church; and 4.Be proposed as something to hold firmly and immutably (i.e. formula such as - “We declare, pronounce and define the doctrine... to be revealed by God and as such to be firmly and immutably held by all the faithful” or through an accompanying anathema stating that anyone who deliberately dissents is outside the Catholic Church.)

48 In regard to doctrines not pronounced infallibly, the same doctrinal commentary, quoted “Ad tuendam fidem” by Pope John Paul II (promulgation modifying Professio fidei, 1998) as follows: “Moreover, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops enunciate when they exercise their authentic Magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act.” The commentary follows – “To this paragraph belong all those teachings on faith and morals – presented as true or at least as sure, even if they have not been defined with a solemn judgment or proposed as definitive by the ordinary and universal Magisterium. Such teachings are, however, an authentic expression of the ordinary Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff or of the College of Bishops and therefore require religious submission of will and intellect.”

49 Kinds of Magisterium Extraordinary Magisterium CCC 891 Ordinary Magisterium CCC 892

50 CCC 891 (Extraordinary Magisterium ) 891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith - he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals.... The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

51 CCC 892 (Ordinary Magisterium) 892 Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successor of Peter, and, in a particular way, to the bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition and without pronouncing in a "definitive manner," they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals. To this ordinary teaching the faithful "are to adhere to it with religious assent" which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it.

52 The Doctrines of the Church include Dogmas. We should believe all the doctrines of the Church and not just the dogmas. Difference between Doctrine and Dogma

53 Doctrines other than dogmas are in documents of various types such as apostolic letters, encyclicals, documents issued from the departments of the Pope’s ‘curia’ or administration, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and “apostolic constitutions” such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, indicating the supreme importance of the Catechism as an expression of Catholic Faith.

54 Pius XII and the Second Vatican Council stress that even mere papal encyclicals are part of the ordinary teaching of the Church. In his 1950 encyclical Humanae generis, he wrote: “Nor must it be thought that what is expounded in encyclical letters does not itself command consent, on the pretext that in writing such letters the Popes do not exercise the supreme power of their teaching authority. For these matters are taught with the ordinary teaching authority, of which it is true to say, ‘He who heareth you, heareth me.’”

55 CONCLUSION RULE OF FAITH –THE BIBLE BUT NOT THE BIBLE ALONE –TRADITION BUT ONLY SACRED OR APOSTOLIC TRADITION

56 CCC "It is clear therefore that, in the supremely wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others.

57 THE MAGISTERIUM IS THE ‘SERVANT’ OF BOTH THE BIBLE AND TRADITION

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65 Reference Books