In doing personal research on this subject, my own Pastor brought to my attention another matter within the context of "Sola Scriptura" train of thought...that being: "Let Scripture interpret Scripture."
A very valid point! In 2 Peter 1:20-21, I enjoy Peter's thought on the subject of the Scriptures, and again I will write this in a "Gleaning format"...because that is what works for me:
" This is one thing you must always remember: there is no such thing as a "prophecy of the Scripture" that has been revealed to only a select few, or one "special person". Even the prophets themselves...who actually wrote the prophecies...were not always sure of their meaning.
For let it be known to all, the prophets did not write these things on their own, rather, they were guided by the Spirit of God."
Along with that, Peter adds this to the subject of the Scripture in 2 Peter 3:16:
" Paul has a certain writing style that appears in all his letters, and he writes (of the present sufferings) which I admit is sometimes hard to grasp...or understand...at least at first.
But, here is what I know NOT to do: Don't take the passages of Scripture, cut them up into single sentences, rearrange them, and then put them in an order that will fit your lifestyle...to justify a sinful behavior or secret motive that is lurking in your own heart."
People who do this treat the Scriptures like a giant jigsaw puzzle, but when the puzzle is put together...the original picture has totally changed. What are they are really doing?....justifying their actions in daily life, and it's origin is from the Evil One."
The Reformation brought with it a chism...a division that put a clear separation between the middle age Catholic Church and the Dawn of the Reformation itself.
The Roman Catholic, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches taught the Sacred Scriptures are not by itself the only infallible source of Christian Doctrine. They instead upheld the Christian church is made up of 3 authorities: 1) Sacred Tradition 2)Sacred Scriptures, and 3) Sacred Episcopacy (the hierarchy of the church).
Along with that, the Church official Belief was the authority to establish and/or restrict the reading of the Sacred Scripture for the sake of "true interpretation". The logic behind this thought was: The Church Fathers selected the Biblical canon, through its Sacred Traditions, so it is concluded only those in their "God-appointed positions" can only interpret correctly...the Sacred Scriptures.
St. Basil the Great of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical church was quoted: " Without maintaining the unwritten traditions of the Church, we mutilate the Gospels. Even some of our most sophisticated saints had difficulty with the understanding of the Scriptures, and we must prepare ourselves as to what we understand in reference to interpretation of the Scripture, for it could be entirely wrong, and must be given to the judgment of the Church."
Enter....the Reformation......
In stark contrast to St. Basil, Martin Luther issues this now famous statement: "One simple layman...with the Scripture...is more powerful than any Pope...without it!"
Here, Luther points out any believer is free to read and interpret the Scripture according to his own heart and the work of the Holy Spirit within him. When error does occur, let the elders and leaders of the church speak to him, and adjust those things in his life, that he might go on in his life in Christ....and continue in his daily, individual reading of the Scriptures.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, complimented Luther's train of thought with this statement: "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scriptures, not the Scriptures judged by the Church."
Many questions arose during this turbulent time of the Christian community, including the doctrine of the papacy, communion and transubstantiation, the doctrine of purgatory, the institution of indulgences, and the veneration of images or icons. These questions and challenges arose due to one fact....what do the Sacred Scriptures say in regards to the doctrines of the Church?
As a result, the placing of importance of the Scriptures within the Church and the interpretation of the Scriptures themselves became a foundation for the movement which became known as......The Reformation!
As for myself, I am of the belief we do have the freedom to read, examine, and pursue the Sacred Scriptures for ourselves. We have been given the Holy Spirit to enlighten the very Scriptures themselves for our own personal integrity within our individual lives... and that being to draw close to the One we believe in... Jesus, our Lord and Christ.
That is what the "Gleanings" I write are all about. And where there is an error(s), I know I have my own Pastor as well as each of you who reads these articles...to assist, correct, and challenge all those things that are written.
In Acts 17:11, it reads like this:
" The people of Berea were much more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and listened with eagerness to the words of Paul.
In fact, they SEARCHED and EXAMINED the Scriptures DAILY, to see for themselves the things Paul had shared with them...if they were true."
It is a wonderful journey...that is...learning the Sacred Scriptures...for each day my appreciation for what He has done for me....grows daily!
A very valid point! In 2 Peter 1:20-21, I enjoy Peter's thought on the subject of the Scriptures, and again I will write this in a "Gleaning format"...because that is what works for me:
" This is one thing you must always remember: there is no such thing as a "prophecy of the Scripture" that has been revealed to only a select few, or one "special person". Even the prophets themselves...who actually wrote the prophecies...were not always sure of their meaning.
For let it be known to all, the prophets did not write these things on their own, rather, they were guided by the Spirit of God."
Along with that, Peter adds this to the subject of the Scripture in 2 Peter 3:16:
But, here is what I know NOT to do: Don't take the passages of Scripture, cut them up into single sentences, rearrange them, and then put them in an order that will fit your lifestyle...to justify a sinful behavior or secret motive that is lurking in your own heart."
People who do this treat the Scriptures like a giant jigsaw puzzle, but when the puzzle is put together...the original picture has totally changed. What are they are really doing?....justifying their actions in daily life, and it's origin is from the Evil One."
The Reformation brought with it a chism...a division that put a clear separation between the middle age Catholic Church and the Dawn of the Reformation itself.
The Roman Catholic, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches taught the Sacred Scriptures are not by itself the only infallible source of Christian Doctrine. They instead upheld the Christian church is made up of 3 authorities: 1) Sacred Tradition 2)Sacred Scriptures, and 3) Sacred Episcopacy (the hierarchy of the church).
Along with that, the Church official Belief was the authority to establish and/or restrict the reading of the Sacred Scripture for the sake of "true interpretation". The logic behind this thought was: The Church Fathers selected the Biblical canon, through its Sacred Traditions, so it is concluded only those in their "God-appointed positions" can only interpret correctly...the Sacred Scriptures.
St. Basil the Great of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical church was quoted: " Without maintaining the unwritten traditions of the Church, we mutilate the Gospels. Even some of our most sophisticated saints had difficulty with the understanding of the Scriptures, and we must prepare ourselves as to what we understand in reference to interpretation of the Scripture, for it could be entirely wrong, and must be given to the judgment of the Church."
Enter....the Reformation......
In stark contrast to St. Basil, Martin Luther issues this now famous statement: "One simple layman...with the Scripture...is more powerful than any Pope...without it!"
Here, Luther points out any believer is free to read and interpret the Scripture according to his own heart and the work of the Holy Spirit within him. When error does occur, let the elders and leaders of the church speak to him, and adjust those things in his life, that he might go on in his life in Christ....and continue in his daily, individual reading of the Scriptures.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, complimented Luther's train of thought with this statement: "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scriptures, not the Scriptures judged by the Church."
Many questions arose during this turbulent time of the Christian community, including the doctrine of the papacy, communion and transubstantiation, the doctrine of purgatory, the institution of indulgences, and the veneration of images or icons. These questions and challenges arose due to one fact....what do the Sacred Scriptures say in regards to the doctrines of the Church?
As a result, the placing of importance of the Scriptures within the Church and the interpretation of the Scriptures themselves became a foundation for the movement which became known as......The Reformation!
As for myself, I am of the belief we do have the freedom to read, examine, and pursue the Sacred Scriptures for ourselves. We have been given the Holy Spirit to enlighten the very Scriptures themselves for our own personal integrity within our individual lives... and that being to draw close to the One we believe in... Jesus, our Lord and Christ.
That is what the "Gleanings" I write are all about. And where there is an error(s), I know I have my own Pastor as well as each of you who reads these articles...to assist, correct, and challenge all those things that are written.
In Acts 17:11, it reads like this:
" The people of Berea were much more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and listened with eagerness to the words of Paul.
In fact, they SEARCHED and EXAMINED the Scriptures DAILY, to see for themselves the things Paul had shared with them...if they were true."
It is a wonderful journey...that is...learning the Sacred Scriptures...for each day my appreciation for what He has done for me....grows daily!
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