The Shape of Sola Scriptura
Overview
In what shape do we find the doctrine of sola Scriptura today? Many modern Evangelicals see it as a license to ignore history and the creeds in favor of a more splintered approach to the Christian living. In the past two decades, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox apologists have strongly tried to undermine sola Scriptura as unbiblical, unhistorical, and impractical. But these groups rest their cases on a recent, false take on sola Scriptura. The ancient, medieval, and classical Protestant view of sola Scriptura actually has a quite different shape than most opponents and defenders maintain. Therein lies the goal of this book—an intriguing defense of the ancient (and classical Protestant) doctrine of sola Scriptura against the claims of Rome, the East, and modern Evangelicalism.
Top Highlights
“In his defense of apostolic Christianity, Irenaeus developed the concept of the regula fidei or the ‘rule of faith.’10 The regula fidei was essentially the content of the profession of faith that every catechumen was asked to recite from memory before his or her baptism. It was a summary of the faith taught by the Apostles and committed to their disciples.” (Page 23)
“It is in the fourth-century writings of Basil the Great that we find for the first time the suggestion ‘that the Christian owes equal respect and obedience to written and to unwritten ecclesiastical traditions, whether contained in canonical writings or in secret oral tradition handed down by the Apostles through their successors.’” (Page 33)
“Roman Catholic and Orthodox apologists have been effective in their criticisms in large part because of the fact that most Protestants have adopted a subjective and individualistic version of sola scriptura that bears little resemblance to the doctrine of the Reformers.” (Page 15)
“Like Irenaeus, he does not contrast Scripture and tradition; instead he claims the oral preaching of the Apostles was written down in Scripture.” (Page 25)
“‘Tradition I.’ The second concept, advocated by many of the radical Reformers, insisted that Scripture was the sole authority altogether. Not only were medieval ‘traditions’ disregarded, but tradition in the sense of the regula fidei, the testimony of the fathers, the traditional interpretation of Scripture, and the corporate judgment of the Church were discarded as well. The interpretation of Scripture, according to this concept, was a strictly individual matter. This is the concept for which we are using the term ‘Tradition 0.’ Unless these two positions are carefully and consciously distinguished, the kind of confusion that has prevailed in the debates of the last five hundred years will continue.” (Page 128)
The issue of sola Scriptura is not an abstract problem relevant only to the sixteenth-century Reformation, but one that poses increasingly more serious consequences for contemporary Christianity. This work by Keith Mathison is the finest and most comprehensive treatment of the matter I've seen. I highly recommend it to all who embrace the authority of sacred Scripture.
—R. C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries
Too often Evangelicals have allowed a Scripture Alone principle to become a Scripture Only principle that disparages the church’s creeds and confessions. Therein lies the invaluable contribution of The Shape of Sola Scriptura. It marks a critical step forward in the renewal of a confessional consciousness among Evangelicals.
—Charles P. Arand, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
- Title: The Shape of Sola Scriptura
- Author: Keith A. Mathison
- Publisher: Canon Press
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 364
