| Author | Message | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1214 Registered: 7-2004  |
I'd like to begin a discussion of what the impact of fully embracing sola Scriptura has been for different people. First I would like to describe how I understand sola Scriptura. Literally it means ony Scripture or Scripture alone. It does not mean that Scripture is the only thing one reads, or that there is not interesting and valuable materials outside of Scripture. But these other sources, no matter how well written or well reasoned, have absolutely no authority in either establishing or supporting a doctrinal position. For me, the notion of sola Scriptura cannot be separated from our understanding of the infallibility of Scripture. So, for me, in a practical sense Scripture is not the only source of authority, but when Scripture addresses a subject it is accurate in what it says. This has meant: Accepting that a passage is true even if I don't like what it says about me or about God. Accepting that a passage is true even when I don't understand why. Accepting that a passage is true even when I don't understand how it relates to or agrees with other passages. Continually re-examining my assumptions about what the Bible teaches by careful verification against the content of the Word. Questioning the value of speculation (trying to assume that we can conclude why God did or said something). Increasing my tolerance of differences in practice where the Bible doesn't specifically issue an instruction. For instance should church music be played on an organ, a piano, an acoustic guitar, or an electric guitar. If Scripture doesn't issue instructions it is OK for people and even groups to have preferences and therefore practices that are different from my own. These are just a few that came to mind right away. I'll probably add others. But I am interested in hearing how the doctrine has impacted you. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 1613 Registered: 7-2003  |
For me, embracing Sola Scriptura has been incredibly liberating. It has liberated me to accept the Jesus revealed in scripture. It has liberated me to rest in the biblical Gospel plus nothing. It has liberated me to truly enjoy reading the Word and simply believe it for just what it says in its own context. It's liberated me to extend liberty to others where the Bible is silent. | ||
| Trans4mer Registered user Username: Trans4mer Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2011 |
"those that loved the Lord spoke often to one another" (not sure verbatum) works here for me. writers old and new help me a lot - Oswald Chambers, John Calvin, and the Bible studies on here. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12967 Registered: 12-2003  |
Embracing sola Scriptura has meant I can believe God is absolutely sovereign. The buck doesn't stop with me and my good or bad choices. I cannot thwart His purposes, and if I fail, He will redeem my messes as I surrender them to Him. It has also meant I trust every word I read in Scripture, and as I do, "things" make sense in amazing and profound ways they never used to make sense. It has meant I can believe that the connections between the OT and the NT are actually real and intentional, not merely some ancient writers' analyses to make a point. I have also experienced that incredible liberation Chris described above. I feel free—free to believe Jesus is who He says He is; free to believe I can trust God to keep His word because He cannot lie; free to give up trying to "get it right" and trust the Lord Jesus instead. Sola Scriptura has been an amazing paradigm shift, and because of this shift, I know that there IS absolute truth, and I know that Scripture will ground me in reality and help me discern truth from deception. I'm not on my own! Colleen | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 851 Registered: 8-2008 |
Embracing Sola Scriptura for me meant finally being free to believe the Bible, regardless of what other authors, prophets, pastors, etc. say. It meant freedom from cognitive dissonance. | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 1319 Registered: 5-2007 |
What are the scripturaly sanctioned (safe) methods to understand/interpret scripture? Jim | ||
| Deb Registered user Username: Deb Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2008 |
Jim: The best method of understanding/interpreting scripture is to pray asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and as you read to use inductive study, i.e. letting scripture interpret itself, always keeping the passage you are reading in context to the verses that precede and follow it, as well as in context within the book of the Bible you are in and in context to the whole Word of God. God's Word will never contradict itself and God has promised to give us understanding when we ask. It is exciting when we read a passage that we've read before (maybe many times) and all of a sudden the Holy Spirit gives us greater understanding of that passage. | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 940 Registered: 5-2009 |
sola Scriptura has given me peace and security. If there is something I don't fully understand, that's OK...God wrote it and I trust Him. | ||
| Handmaiden Registered user Username: Handmaiden Post Number: 230 Registered: 7-2008 |
Deb, i love your answer.  The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and does open the words of Scripture, to us. He reveals its meaning and intent and gives us many layers of understanding and application. Sola Scriptura gives me a firm, solid unchanging, trustworthy foundation for the faith that i have in Christ alone. |
