However, when looking at each of these three verses closely it is clear that
none say anything in support of Sola Scriptura. The verse from St. John’s
Gospel speaks only of the purpose of the book, which is, to convince its
readers that Jesus was the Christ. It does not assert that the Bible as it
stands today contains all that is needed for salvation, neither does it exclude
any other medium, whether written or oral, as a means of passing on the
truths of Christ. In fact, if one were to be consistent, St. John’s words could
be construed as an argument that his Gospel alone, excluding the other
three, is necessary for salvation ––that is, Solus Joannes! (John alone!).
The second verse is words of St. Paul to St. Timothy. They are the
cornerstone for most Protestant arguments in favor of Sola Scriptura. Yet,
again, there are no words such as “alone” or “only” used with respect to
Scripture. No one who claims to be Christian, least of all the Catholic
Church, denies that Scripture is “inspired” and “profitable” to perfect a
“man of God.” But it is certainly different to assert that Scripture is
“sufficient.” However, “sufficient” is not the word used by St. Paul in 2
Tim. 3:16. He uses the Greek word ophelimos, which translates as “useful”
or “profitable.” Certain Protestants might argue that “profitable” means
“sufficient.” If so, then they would run into difficulties with Titus 3:8
which says, “The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so
that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to
good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.” Would any
Protestants assert from this verse that good works are sufficient to get to
heaven, thus rendering faith in Christ unnecessary? Similarly, St. Paul in
his letter to the Ephesians says that “his gifts were that some should be
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ” (4:11-12). In others words, is the perfecting of the saints to be done
through the leaders of the Church alone without the aid of Scripture?
Cardinal Newman certainly saw the Protestant fallacy in using 2 Tim. 3:15-
17 to support Sola Scriptura over a century ago:
“It is quite evident that this passage furnishes no argument whatever
that the Sacred Scripture, without Tradition, is the sole rule of faith;
for, although Sacred Scripture is profitable for these four ends, still it
is not said to be sufficient. The Apostle requires the aid of Tradition
 |
 |
 |