Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

Sola vs. Solo Scriptura


Mateo el Feo

Recommended Posts

Hi guys! I know that some Protestants make it a point to claim that they believe in sol[b]a[/b] scriptura, not sol[b]o[/b] scriptura.

So, my two questions are:

1) What's the alleged difference?

2) Do the two Latin terms actually distinguish the intended modern meanings, or is the distinction based on some added meaning to the terms where none originally existed?

I hope that makes sense!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good question.

I am not a Protestant so I can't help you with any definitive answer. But I have been asked many times "where's that in the Bible" by people who claim to believe in Sola scriptura. My guess is your takers will say they believe in Solo Scriptura. Problem is by what authority do they say which is which? So if this question muddles the thread.

Blessings

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Justified Saint

That is the big question that everyone is trying to figure out.

The reformers believed in sola scriptura, but Protestants today believe in solo scriptura although they will deny this charge merely as a means of defense against Catholic apologetics. Sola scriptura, on the other hand, is an ecclesiology mess which ultimately says the same thing as solo scriptura but attaches to it some fancy words and ideas. They say they accept tradition and the church councils but then turn around and say that the scriptures are the sole, normative, infallible rule of faith. This just confuses the matter (are there multiple rules of faith?) and creeps back into the pitfalls of solo scriptura by affirming its central identity of private judgement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I'm a non-Catholic Christian and I've never heard of Solo Scriptura. Sola Scriptura, on the other hand is the battle cry of the reformers, along with Sola Fide. But I'm not the one to argue for it, as I am seriously considering the Catholic faith. :P

If God had intended for us all to be guided by our own interpretations of Scripture, then He would have given us each the knowledge necessary to do so correctly. One only has to look at the hundreds of (US) denominations and thousands of (Worldwide) Protestant denominations to see that we do not have that gift.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Gal. 5:22,23' date='Dec 3 2004, 05:07 PM']

If God had intended for us all to be guided by our own interpretations of Scripture, then He would have given us each the knowledge necessary to do so correctly. One only has to look at the hundreds of (US) denominations and thousands of (Worldwide) Protestant denominations to see that we do not have that gift. [/quote]
Woah. You do sound exactly like me just months before I became Catholic. Uncanny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm just starting to look at the results of this Google search:

[url="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22sola+scriptura%22+%22solo+scriptura%22+difference"]Google search (link)[/url]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Based on my studies and dialogues with Protestants, the difference is subtle:

Sola Scriptura holds Sacred Scripture to be the [b]final [/b]authority in matters of faith.

Solo Scriptura holds Sacred Scripture to be the [b]only [/b]authority in matters of faith.

Sola Scripturists accept creeds, councils, etc so long as they do not contradict with Scripture (read: their understanding and interpretation of Scripture).

Solo Scripturists accept nothing beyond Scripture (read: their understanding and interpretation of Scripture).



In my experience (with lay Protestants), sola Scripturists tend to be solo Scripturists who agree that Biblical concepts can be presented and accepted in other forms (such as councils and creeds). Solo Scripturists only deal with chapter and verse (and it is fun to point out that a Catholic cardinal, Stephen Cardinal Langton, put those in the Bible in the early 13th century).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Benedict' date='Dec 4 2004, 12:36 PM'](and it is fun to point out that a Catholic cardinal, Stephen Cardinal Langton, put those in the Bible in the early 13th century).[/quote]
hmmm . . . i was wondering about this. So it was a Catholic that botched Revela . . . ok, this deserves it's own thread. Just a moment . . .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Justified Saint' date='Dec 1 2004, 06:12 PM'] That is the big question that everyone is trying to figure out.

The reformers believed in sola scriptura, but Protestants today believe in solo scriptura although they will deny this charge merely as a means of defense against Catholic apologetics. Sola scriptura, on the other hand, is an ecclesiology mess which ultimately says the same thing as solo scriptura but attaches to it some fancy words and ideas. They say they accept tradition and the church councils but then turn around and say that the scriptures are the sole, normative, infallible rule of faith. This just confuses the matter (are there multiple rules of faith?) and creeps back into the pitfalls of solo scriptura by affirming its central identity of private judgement. [/quote]
That is a perfect answer.

Basically, sola scriptura states tradition can be accepted and respected so long it doesn't contradict the Bible. But then they believe all Traditions contradict the Bible, so they borrow the Creeds manipulate their meanings just a little and there you have it, Tradition in the evangelical church. :rolleyes: So basically it's a compromise of biblical teaching to allow for traditions without actually accepting them, that's why solo and sola scriptura acheive the same means, NO Tradition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Benedict' date='Dec 5 2004, 04:36 AM'] Based on my studies and dialogues with Protestants, the difference is subtle:

Sola Scriptura holds Sacred Scripture to be the [b]final [/b]authority in matters of faith.

Solo Scriptura holds Sacred Scripture to be the [b]only [/b]authority in matters of faith.

Sola Scripturists accept creeds, councils, etc so long as they do not contradict with Scripture (read: their understanding and interpretation of Scripture).

Solo Scripturists accept nothing beyond Scripture (read: their understanding and interpretation of Scripture).



In my experience (with lay Protestants), sola Scripturists tend to be solo Scripturists who agree that Biblical concepts can be presented and accepted in other forms (such as councils and creeds).  Solo Scripturists only deal with chapter and verse (and it is fun to point out that a Catholic cardinal, Stephen Cardinal Langton, put those in the Bible in the early 13th century). [/quote]
So with this understanding would you be safe to say that many Protestant denominations practice solo scriptura rather than sola scripura?

Edited by yiannii
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...