Mr. James White & Rules of Faith

In his article “Does The Bible Teach Sola Scriptura?”, James White presents several arguments supporting the doctrine of sola scriptura, the belief that the Scriptures alone are sufficient as the rule of faith for the Church. Here is a summary of his key points, along with direct quotes from the article:

1. Definition of Sola Scriptura:

Argument: White defines sola scriptura as the doctrine that “the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the ‘rule of faith’ for the Church.”

Quote: “All that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source.”

2. Clarifying Misconceptions:

Argument: He clarifies what sola scriptura does not mean, addressing common misconceptions:

It does not claim that the Bible contains all knowledge.

It does not deny the Church’s authority to teach God’s truth.

It does not deny that God’s Word was, at one time, spoken.

It does not deny the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and enlightening the Church.

Quote: “The Bible does not have to be exhaustive to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church.”

3. Scriptural Basis:

Argument: White cites 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to support the sufficiency of Scripture:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction, for training in righteousness, in order that the man of God might be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

Quote: “Because Scripture is God-breathed, and hence represents God’s very voice speaking, it is profitable for the work of the ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ.”

4. Role of the Church:

Argument: While acknowledging the Church’s role as the “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), White emphasizes that the Church does not add revelation or rule over Scripture.

Quote: “The Church being the bride of Christ, listens to the Word of Christ, which is found in God-breathed Scripture.”

5. Historical Support:

Argument: White references early Church Fathers, such as Basil of Caesarea, to demonstrate that the principle of adhering to Scripture as the ultimate authority was recognized historically.

Quote: “Therefore, let God-inspired Scripture decide between us, and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the Word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth.”

6. Sufficiency of Scripture:

Argument: He argues that Scripture is sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, making the man of God complete and fully equipped for every good work.

Quote: “The Scriptures are self-consistent, self-interpreting, and self-authenticating.”

7. Challenge to Opponents:

Argument: White challenges those who oppose sola scriptura to demonstrate the existence of any other rule of faith that is necessary for the man of God, beyond Scripture.

Quote: “I must demonstrate that the Bible is sufficient to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church… absent the demonstration on Mr. Madrid’s part of some other rule of faith.”

White concludes by affirming that the Bible teaches its own sufficiency to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church, and he invites opponents to provide evidence of any other necessary rule of faith.

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My Response

James White defines sola scriptura as the doctrine that “the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the ‘rule of faith’ for the Church.” He asserts that “all that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source.”

Catholic Rebuttal:

1. Logical Consideration:

Self-Referential Incoherence: The principle of sola scriptura is not explicitly stated within Scripture itself. As such, asserting that all Christian doctrines must be found in Scripture alone leads to a paradox, since sola scriptura cannot be substantiated by its own criteria.

Jesus himself subverts the “basic criteria” with the rich young ruler.

2. Scriptural Evidence:

Apostolic Tradition: Scripture acknowledges the authority of oral traditions. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul exhorts believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter,” indicating the importance of both written and oral teachings.

Church Authority: 1 Timothy 3:15 refers to the Church as “the pillar and foundation of the truth,” suggesting that the Church holds a foundational role in upholding and interpreting truth, alongside Scripture.

3. Historical Context:

Development of the Canon: The biblical canon was discerned and affirmed by the early Church through councils and tradition. The Council of Carthage in 397 AD, for example, played a pivotal role in recognizing the canon. This process underscores the necessity of Tradition and Church authority in determining the contents of Scripture.

Early Church Fathers: St. Athanasius emphasized the continuity of teaching through both Scripture and Tradition: “Let us look at the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the very beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers preserved.”

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Now, James White challenges those who oppose…

“I must demonstrate that the Bible is sufficient to function as the sole rule of faith for the Church… absent the demonstration on Mr. Madrid’s part of some other rule of faith.”

To start, it’s a False Dichotomy, White’s challenge presents a binary choice —either Scripture alone is sufficient, or one must identify an alternative rule of faith. This overlooks the Catholic understanding that Scripture and Tradition are not mutually exclusive but are complementary sources of divine revelation. The Church teaches that both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted authentically by the Magisterium, together convey God’s revelation. Neither contradicting the other.

The Bible itself points to the importance of Tradition alongside Scripture. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul exhorts believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” This indicates that oral teachings (Tradition) hold authoritative weight alongside written Scripture.

However, on matters of faith and morals, how can Scripture be burdened to address all of this? Now, I am sure we will reiterate from White’s position the “well it doesn’t need to, but it’s sufficient.” This is a fallback, sort of how a boxer falls back against the ropes to protect, because you cannot withstand the implications. Sufficient does not mean “whole” or “complete”.

The Bible doesn’t address IVF directly, doesn’t address the nuances of moral theology that are ever-growing. It doesn’t address any of these things with authority, this is why in almost every protestant branch you have women pastors, clergy who are homosexual, and so forth, with no ruling authority to amend the error, you simply have “sects” of protestants who don’t affirm those things and further branch off…

Although the Bible does not mention genetic engineering, the Church’s understanding of the moral law, informed by Tradition, guides its position on modern bioethical issues. The Church upholds the principle that science and technology must be at the service of the human person, respecting the moral law and the fundamental rights of individuals.

These technological and societal advancements have introduced moral questions that the biblical texts do not explicitly address, such as bioethical concerns like in vitro fertilization (IVF), genetic engineering, and end-of-life decisions. Without a central interpretative authority, individuals and communities relying solely on Scripture may arrive at divergent conclusions when confronting these issues, leading to a lack of consensus on moral teachings.

The principle of sola scriptura has contributed to the proliferation of Protestant denominations, each with its own interpretations of Scripture. This diversity can result in conflicting moral guidelines on contemporary issues, undermining a unified Christian witness. Without an authoritative interpretative body, personal or cultural biases may influence scriptural interpretation, leading to moral relativism rather than objective moral standards.

While Scripture is materially sufficient, containing all truths necessary for salvation, the Catholic Church teaches that it does not function in isolation. Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium are indispensable for interpreting Scripture and applying its teachings to new moral challenges. This triad ensures that the Church can provide binding moral guidance that addresses the complexities of modern life, maintaining continuity with the apostolic faith while engaging with contemporary issues.

In contrast, the sola scriptura approach may struggle to offer cohesive and authoritative moral teachings in the face of evolving cultural and ethical landscapes, potentially leading to fragmentation and moral uncertainty.