The doctrine of Sola Scriptura (Latin for scripture alone), a pillar of the Protestant Reformation, is a topic of continued debate. The claim is that the Bible is the only spiritual authority we have to guide us in our spiritual walk.
The debate isn’t about whether Scripture is true and profitable to study; it’s about whether each individual is required to search the Scriptures for themselves to determine what is true (Mt 7:7), or whether we can rightly delegate this responsibility to others to tell us authoritatively what is true, such that we need not search the Scriptures to become convinced of the truth for ourselves.
Another way to frame this is to ask whether God holds each of us individually accountable for our beliefs and actions. (Ro 2:6-9) If God wants us to trust others to tell us what is true, He cannot rightly judge us for doing so and then acting accordingly if we are misled, as long as we do what we’re told.
Yet every indication in Scripture is that God holds each one of us accountable to search out the truth for ourselves (Jn 5:39), and take responsibility for our own beliefs and actions (Co 2:8); if we are in error, we have no one to blame but ourselves. (2Th 2:12)
Scripture is sufficient to make us wise unto salvation (2T 3:15) and to guide us in godly living. (16-17) We must each be diligent to understand and interpret Scripture for ourselves (2Ti 2:15), and do the best we can to follow what we learn. (Ja 1:21-22)
Scripture tells us to check everything we are taught against Scripture and to reject anything remotely inconsistent with it. (Is 8:20) I see no verse or context in Scripture implying otherwise. (Jn 12:48)
Common opposition to Sola Scriptura focuses on verses encouraging us to follow tradition (2Th 2:15) and apostolic teaching (2Ti 2:22), yet none of these contexts indicate that such teachings or traditions were extra-biblical, or that followers were not accountable to first validate everything for themselves in Scripture. (Ac 17:11) Scripture gives no man ultimate spiritual authority over another: the right to tell anyone what to believe or how to act. (1Co 11:3)
What mortals are qualified to stand between us and God and tell us all what to believe? (2Co 1:24) How is this different from adding to God’s Word? (Pr 30:6) Pity anyone positioning themselves in this role, usurping the role of the Holy Spirit. (1Jn 2:27)
Here’s a famous debate on the topic. It is evidently exemplary, and I think it misses the whole point.
If we were to consider the possibility of delegating the responsibility for our souls to an organization, would it make sense to choose one that has been anti-semitic largely since its inception?
One which has murdered untold thousands of innocent people for the crime of disagreeing with it?
One entirely responsible for what we now call the Dark Ages?
One which consistently covers up and enables the sexual molestation of its young men?
One which has tortured people for the crime of trying to make the Bible available to people in their own language?
One that was complicit in the Holocaust?
Just askin’.
From my experience, most Protestants and Evangelicals claiming Sola Scriptura don’t actually believe it; they actually believe they are free to delegate their responsibility for discovering truth to their pastor or church — which claims to believe in Sola Scriptura.
I find VERY few people are willing to seek and knock until they find the truth for themselves.