Solo Scriptura vs Sola Scriptura

"Evangelical Christians in North America sometimes misunderstand the Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura to mean that the Bible is the Christian’s only theological resource, that it can and should be denuded of its churchly context (hence nuda Scriptura). Such an understanding is altogether incorrect…. Calvin believed that holy Scripture as the only infallible rule of faith and practice should serve as the final authority by which to judge Christian doctrine and practice, but it was not his only resource for theology…He recognized the strategic importance of demonstrating the continuity of Protestant teaching with the core convictions of the early Church.

While believers should be Bereans and search the Scriptures for themselves, we don’t do it in a vacuum. Our study of the Word is not disconnected from what has transpired in church history. Even the means by which and the theological grid through which we interpret the Word are influenced by those who have gone before us." 

~The Aquila Report

That's the problem. Sola Scriptura means Scripture plus other resources for theology  and practice (is that not traditions of men, by definition?). 

Col 1:18 "He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." Sola Scripture violates this verse. Reformers then, are no different than Rick Warren who also holds to Sola Scriptura, as he said "I do accept the Bible as a standard of authority and I judge my experience by it not vice versa."

Christ Jesus is to have First Place in everything (Col. 1:17-18) which demands therefore that there is no competition for His rightful place, His Word, or His Word. Doctrinal triage and having other authorities other than Scripture is not giving Jesus Christ the King of kings First Place or preeminence in everything, especially regarding His Word.

The Bible stands alone, unattached to history or science. We don't need another source to know the wisdom and truth of God, for that alone comes from God. For some to say that the Bible is attached to history (that is, we must know history if we are to know biblical truth), one must ask: Who's version of history? Rome's? Evolutionists? The Gnostics? And if one must have history to *really* understand Scripture and know how to practice it, then it doesn't stop there. One must also have science to *really* understand biblical doctrine. You see the problem, don't you?  It becomes history (or science) as the interpreter of Scripture versus Scripture as the interpreter of history.

Scripture stands alone, on it's own. It has God's record of history. And might I also say that The End is just as historical as The Beginning? If one rejects the historical Beginning, what's the point of attaching the Bible to history anyway? Ah, because when we talk of history, we MUST talk of history according to God and that seems to be the problem.

I am not saying that history doesn't confirm God's sovereign hand; indeed it has as I said, His record of history. What I am saying though, is that for the "Sola Scriptura" crowd to suggest we must have other authority other than the Bible for faith and practice as Calvin and others have claimed, is in serious error. To go to anywhere but the Master and Creator of all things first, then eventually, maybe go to Scripture is dangerous as well as not putting Christ in First Place. Consider Calvin used the Roman Catholic teaching and practice of infant sprinkling which is anti-biblical. Sources outside of the Bible are not fallible and as Eph. 4 17-20 and 1 Cor. 1-2 show, we cannot learn Christ by way of the world.

A friend of mine, Debi, posted this in relation to this issue of using history and traditions of the "early church" to dictate faith and practice instead of Scripture alone and it is well stated:

"John Gill even recognized the problem in this issue.....In his commentary on Proverbs 22:28 [Pro 22:28 Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set.]

he said, "Some apply this, in a political sense, to laws of long standing, and customs of long prescription; and others interpret it, in a theological sense, of doctrines and practices settled by the fathers of the church; which, if understood of Christ and his apostles only, will be allowed; but if of the ancient fathers of the church that followed them, it should not be received; since they were but fallible men, and guilty of many errors and mistakes, both in doctrine and practice." The old landmarks we are not to move are those of Scripture and the examples of the apostles, none other."

Col 1:17  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 

Col 1:18  He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 

Scripture states that it alone is the resource for theology, or that is to say, "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2Peter 1:2-4). Only Scripture alone is God's revelation of Himself and His doctrine. Sola Scriptura is why most Evangelicals are open to Evolution, Psychology, Hyper-Preterism, Amillennialism, Feminism, Emergent Church Movement, Charismaticism, etc. Once Scripture must compete with other ways, it ceases to be one's SOLE AUTHORITY. I hold to Solo Scriptura.

Psa 1:1  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 
Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 

Psa 1:3  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 

Ps. 138:2… You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.

Mat 4:4  But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

1Pe 1:23  for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 

1Pe 1:24  For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 

1Pe 1:25  BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you. 

1Pe 2:2  like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3  if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

Heb 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 

2Ti 3:15  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 

2Ti 3:17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.