The Origins of Sola Scriptura
During the 16th century, several pastors and leaders stepped forward to challenge various forms of corruption and abuse they were seeing in the Roman Catholic church.
Not only had the church developed some bad theology and problematic views regarding salvation, forgiveness, eternity, and the identity of Jesus Christ, it had also elevated church leadership and tradition to a position of authority equal to Scripture.
The Catholic Church may not have denied the authority of Scripture outright, but by placing traditions and leaders on equal footing with Scripture, their man-made religion often superseded the authority and sufficiency of the Bible altogether.
This is why men like Martin Luther and John Calvin argued that Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) should be the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We know from Scripture that humans are inherently flawed, sinful, selfish, and often unreliable (Romans 3:23). Without an infallible, trustworthy standard to turn to and rely on in matters of faith, we are left to our own ideas (Judges 21:25). Unfortunately, as Solomon writes, “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Human wisdom is temporary and often shaky. The Word of God, however, is not. This is what the Reformers argued.
Without proper guidance, those in leadership can abuse or misrepresent Scripture to preserve their own power. They can develop their own ideas and inadvertently or even intentionally propagate lies and heresies.
They can also manipulate believers to follow their lead and not God’s. Worst of all, without Scripture as the highest, most reliable authority, traditions become absolute and bad ideas become harder to challenge.
The Reformers had identified these areas of abuse and spoke up to challenge the corruption that had polluted the church in so many ways.
They were not attacking or attempting to tear down the church. Instead, they wanted to expose harmful ideas and reform the church by returning its focus to the Word of God.
The ideas they introduced were never their own. They were inspired and supported by the eternal, absolute truth of Scripture.
And for their efforts, the Reformers were often met with hostility, ex-communication, and persecution for speaking against the church and its leaders.
However, these men had already begun an internal movement to radically reform the church, which inspired the branch of Christianity commonly known as Protestantism. Sola Scriptura would become a major tenet of the Christian faith from then on.
What Does Sola Scriptura Not Mean?
Of course, the idea of Sola Scriptura does not mean that Christians can never read other books or even writings about the Bible, theology, or Christian living. Sola Scriptura does not mean we must turn to the Bible for everything.
For example, if you wanted to become a doctor, you’d probably need to read a few medical textbooks that contain information not found in Scripture.
If you wanted to learn how to cook a special meal or learn how to fix a computer, you may not find that recipe or set of instructions in the pages of the Old or New Testament.
This is not the point of Sola Scriptura, nor does the Bible’s inability to speak to these topics take away from its inerrancy and purpose.
Sola Scriptura affirms that all of our ideas about God, faith, and Christian living should be derived from Scripture and based on the Word of God.
In these areas, it is sufficient and complete. Any doctrine, idea, or philosophy that contradicts Scripture should be rightly examined, challenged, and even discarded.
Of course, there are many great sermons, commentaries, and books written to help believers better understand the context, interpretation, and application of Scripture.
However, bad doctrine often creeps into the church and the lives of believers when supplemental literature and trendy wisdom are placed above Scripture.
Those who do not have a sound theology or proper understanding of the Word of God are often the first to be deceived or misled. Paul warned believers to not be misled by other gospels or ideas that contradict the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which they had preached (Galatians 1:6-7).
He also wrote that “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Church traditions, Christian literature, and human leaders are fine, and in some cases even good. It’s when they begin to take precedent over Scripture that reform is warranted. In these instances, a return to the Word of God provides the authority and support for such reform.
How Does the Bible Support Sola Scriptura?
Though the phrase Sola Scripture became prominent during the Reformation, it is inspired by the very words of the Bible it seeks to defend.
God gave His followers the perfect guidebook, road map, and instruction manual for spiritual living in the Bible. More than just a book of poetry, short stories, or human wisdom, Scripture is the ultimate, trustworthy authority for godly living because it comes from God, not man. It is perfectly sufficient to guide, equip, encourage, and instruct God’s followers.
Having fallen in love with God’s Word, David wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105).
He also wrote that the commands of the Lord, “are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalms 19:10).
Human wisdom, philosophies, and ideas evolve and change over time, God’s Word, however, is eternal. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
Furthermore, the Apostle Paul argued that “all Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Those who trust in the infallibility of Scripture rely on the wisdom of God, never their own (Proverbs 3:5-6).
This speaks to an essential justification for Sola Scriptura in the Bible being perfectly sufficient to address all matters of faith and righteous living. Supplemental material, though helpful, is not essential. Scripture alone will suffice.
On this note, the Bible further warns that we are not to add to Scripture in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18).
The author of Hebrews argued that “the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Christians would be wise, therefore, to not only read God’s Word but also follow it closely (James 1:22).
As Joshua prepared to lead God’s people into the Promised Land, the Lord not only gave Him instructions, but He also gave him this command,
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success (Joshua 1:8).
When the Israelites held to God’s law and instructions, they prospered. When they abandoned the Word of God to decide what was best for themselves, they often fell into idolatry and suffered the consequences of being led by bad ideas and worthless foreign gods.
This is why, more than just reading the book, Christians are charged with understanding and applying it correctly. They become better equipped to navigate life, knowing which paths to take and which to avoid when they do.
Unfortunately, the Catholic church had wandered from the authority of Scripture and straight into corruption.
The Reformers wisely understood that in order to maintain a proper faith and return the church to a position of sound doctrine, Scripture must be the sole, trustworthy authority./p>
Human leadership can fail as human wisdom can fade. The Word of God, however, never will. It is sufficient, infallible, and eternal.
For further reading:
The Five Solas — Points from the Past that Should Matter to You
What Was the Protestant Reformation?
10 Things to Know about Martin Luther and His 95 Theses
How Is There a Way that Appears to be Right but Leads to Death?
What Does it Mean That the Bible Is God-Breathed?
How Is the Fear of the Lord the Beginning of Wisdom?
How Can We Trust the Bible We Have Today?
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