Sola Scriptura: A Return To The Word Of God -- By: Robert L. Bell

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 28:76 (Spring 2024)
Article: Sola Scriptura: A Return To The Word Of God
Author: Robert L. Bell


Sola Scriptura: A Return To The Word Of God1

Robert L. Bell

* Robert L. Bell, D.Min., Ph.D., advising professor, Tyndale Theological Seminary & Biblical Institute

Sola fide (“by faith alone”), sola gratia (“by grace alone”), and sola Scriptura (Scripture alone”) became the pillars or slogans that characterized the Protestant Reformation.2 Justification was by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. Luther (1483–1546), Calvin (1509–64), Zwingli (1484–1531), Bullinger (1504–75), Knox (1513–72) and others strove to reform the Roman Catholic Church and later to develop a theology based upon Scripture alone as the final authority for the Christian in all matters.3 The purpose of this brief article is to focus on the last pillar: sola Scriptura. Examination will be given to the reformers’ concept of sola Scriptura; the necessity for the church to return to the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura; and, what must be done to return to the Reformation pillar of sola Scriptura.

The Reformers Concept Of Sola Scriptura

Schaff noted, “Wherever God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel close by.”4 When Martin Luther lived, it was a time of considerable apostasy within the professing church. The majority of the people could not read or write and were totally dependent upon the priests of the Roman Church to interpret and explain Scripture.5 The Bible was included in a list of books

the Roman Church banned from possession or reading by the common people. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church was promulgated by the Council of Trent and is recorded in The Canons and Dogmatic Decrees of the Council of Trent (1563).

The Council clearly perceives that this truth and rule are contained in the written books and unwritten traditions which have come down to us, having been received by the apostles from the mouth of Christ Himself or from the apostles by the dictation of the Holy Spirit, and have been transmitted as it were from hand to hand. . . . [Following, then,] the example of the orthodox Fathers, it receives and venerates with the same sense of loyalty and reverence all the books of the Old and New Testaments-for God is the author of both [emphasis added].6

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()