Sola scriptura – Pure poison for Roman Catholic Church

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The principle of “sola scriptura,” formulated by the reformer Martin Luther, was immediately placed at the top of the Roman Catholic Church’s hit list. It was pure poison against its own doctrine and thus against its very legitimacy. The destruction of the “sola theses” is now largely complete.

Script alone, or also tradition?

If there was one guiding principle of Protestantism that particularly irked the Roman Catholic Church, even causing uneasy reactions, it was the principle of “sola scriptura” (“Scripture alone”). This expressed the idea that the inspired, written Word of God, i.e., the Bible, serves exclusively as the basis of faith and doctrine. Other writings are permissible, but they must be in accordance with Holy Scripture. This applies, for example, to literature that highlights or elaborates on certain aspects of the written Word. Works that did not conform to the Gospel, through deviations or even contradictions, were absolutely taboo.

The “sola theses” – An overview

Long-forgotten principle

The principle of “sola scriptura,” however, belongs to the past, for this extremely weighty tenet now flutters, at best, only as a symbol in the form of a tattered and threadbare flag above the houses of Protestantism. Alongside “sola scriptura,” other fundamental principles have also been established. These include, for example, “sola fides” (“by faith alone”) and “sola gratia” (“by grace alone”). Nevertheless, “sola scriptura” remains the weakest point in the diverse doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, for this principle forms the foundation and basis for the understanding that human salvation is solely through the grace of Jesus through faith. Once “sola scriptura” is removed, the other sola tenets also stand on shaky ground.

The expression “sola scriptura” originated at the beginning of the Reformation. Martin Luther used the phrase “solam scriptum regnare” (“Scripture alone shall reign”) in his letter “Assertio” (“Declaration of Freedom”) against his threatened excommunication by Pope Leo X. That was in 1520. After Luther tore the papal bull into a thousand pieces, his excommunication finally followed on January 3, 1521.

Rome’s war against sola scriptura

Sola was also a central theme during one of the most important councils in the history of the Roman Catholic Church: the Council of Trent (1547-1563). This major event was entirely in opposition to the tenets of Protestantism. The Church explicitly reaffirmed its doctrines, and at its 14th session on November 25, 1551, it established a total of 15 Catholic articles of faith, all of which would be disregarded or violated, each resulting in excommunication (anathema).

With point 4, the Church reaffirmed its own position that grace alone is not sufficient, but that corresponding works must be performed for the salvation of mankind:
“If someone denies that three acts are required in the penitent as the quasi-matter of the sacrament of penance for the complete and perfect forgiveness of sins—namely, contrition, confession, and satisfaction, which are called the three parts of penance—or if someone says that there are only two parts of penance: the terror instilled in the conscience by the knowledge of sin and the faith received on the basis of the Gospel or absolution, by which one believes that one’s sins are forgiven through Christ, then this anathema applies.“

In short: Anyone who claims that Christ can simply forgive sins is cursed.

Right to exist is at risk

Where would we end up if that were the case? What justification would the Catholic priesthood have if Jesus Christ simply bestowed grace? It is also an “extra-scriptural” teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that Jesus did not die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, but rather to establish the priesthood (Alphonsus Liguori – Info).

This also rendered the “sola gratia” doctrine obsolete, although, unsurprisingly, the Gospel describes the exact opposite. Sins can be forgiven by a priest, but this does not yet absolve the guilt. It must then be paid for with “good works,” or alternatively, the guilt must be burned away in (Catholic) purgatory. To shorten these torments, the Catholic high priest (Pope) occasionally takes pity and grants an indulgence. In Martin Luther’s time, this was done excessively for a price. The trigger for the Reformation.

The prophet Isaiah already emphasized in his time that the (then) future Messiah would take upon himself not only the forgiveness of sins but also the burden of guilt, Isaiah 53:5:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.“

And that is a one-time event, always ongoing, conclusive, and not in constant repetition of being sacrificed again during the Eucharist.
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:12)
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10).

Grace alone is not enough.

The Council of Trent naturally focused on the biblical concept of justification by faith, and not as an afterthought, but right at the beginning. On the sixth day of its session, January 13, 1547, the following Catholic principles concerning justification were emphasized, among others:
“When the Apostle says that man is justified by faith and without cost, these words must be understood in the sense that the constant consensus of the Catholic Church has recorded and expressed, namely: We are said to be justified by faith because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation and root of all justification, “without which it is impossible to please God” and to enter into the communion of his sons and daughters.“

The answer is based on the aforementioned verses, Romans 9:28:
“For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”
and Romans 3:24:
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:“

The Roman Catholic interpretation thus describes this grace as a kind of “initial spark” for humanity’s striving to find salvation. The grace of Jesus grants humanity this understanding, but salvation itself must be earned through individual effort.

Complete denial of Jesus Christ

It is obvious: Jesus Christ is completely denied by the Roman Catholic Church in all aspects relevant to salvation. This is also directly reflected in the way people are treated who no longer obey the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. Here, too, “subtle” differences emerge between the Church and Jesus Christ and the institution that claims to represent Christ here on earth as His body.

Luke 9:60:
“Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.“

John 6:66-67:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?“

Hebrews 8:9:
“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.“

Jesus Christ let them go. That was their decision.

The view of the Roman Catholic Church

The “supreme saint” Thomas Aquinas described it in his famous work “Summae Theologiae.” Article 3 “Should heretics be tolerated?”
To answer this, Aquinas cites a “claim” made in Titus 3:10-11:
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.“

Aquinas, however, believes he needs to “correct” the statement of the Bible:
“I answer: Regarding heretics, two points must be considered: one on their own side; the other on the side of the Church. On their own side lies the sin by which they deserve not only excommunication from the Church, but also separation from the world by death. For it is a far more serious matter to corrupt the faith that animates the soul than to counterfeit money that sustains worldly life. Therefore, if counterfeiters and other evildoers are immediately condemned to death by secular authorities, there is an even greater reason why heretics, once convicted of heresy, should not only be excommunicated, but even executed.“

“Don’t even think about letting them go! They must be killed!”

Brilliance of deception

These few examples alone demonstrate that the “sola scriptura” doctrine, and thus the very legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church, is pure poison. This institution presents itself as Christian, but in fact represents the exact opposite. It is therefore no surprise that the Gospel fits into a manageable book, while the libraries of the Roman Catholic Church together form corridors stretching for kilometers. The “brilliance” of some Catholic theologians may well be justified in their definition, but this only applies to their brilliant art of making the thoroughly anti-Christian doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church appear like traditional Christianity.

For this to stand on its own foundations, “sola scriptura” must of course be rejected and replaced by a declaration of “in libris scriptis et sine scripto traditionibus.” The “salvific truth” does not consist of Scripture alone, but (above all) of Tradition. This decision was reaffirmed at the conclusion of the fourth session of the Council of Trent.

The Bible explains and warns

However, the Bible itself emphatically points out in numerous places that Scripture is the only source of truth, concluding in the time of the apostles and emphatically warning against the “wisdom” of many philosophers and their introduced teachings.

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6)

“»To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)

“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, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
This verse reveals the critical attitude of the inhabitants of Berea. They heard the sermons of Paul and Silas, but wanted to verify their statements for accuracy. And how? By Scripture!

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

“Anathema” against the Church of Rome

Regarding “Anathema,” Paul also had something to say about it.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

“Even back then,” meaning during the lifetime of the apostles, the Gospel was complete. Whether on paper or transmitted orally, it was the complete revelation of the original “mystery of God” (Revelation 10:7). The Church of Rome boasts that without it, there would be no Bible, since it ultimately compiled the canon. Fine, so be it. In simple terms, they collected and sorted the loose pages in a binder. But the fact remains that the content of the originally written word, at least of the Original Gospel, was not formulated by the Roman Church.

However, if one considers the basic text used for the Latin Vulgate, the binding Catholic Bible established once again at the Council of Trent, then the “simple compilation” quickly becomes a collection of writings with a strong Gnostic influence.

Today, the “sola scripura” doctrine is merely a shadow of the past in former Protestantism. It is used in the manner of a con man, pretending to be something he is not—precisely the deception that the Mother of God in Rome has embodied since her inception.

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)