Catholicism - Scriptural Authority

Scripture and Authority

Sola Scriptura is one thing I stand on firmly.  Meaning, Scripture is the sole  authority on all issues. <-- emphasis on the period.

[2Ti 3:16 LSB]  All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, [17]  so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for EVERY good work.

Trent affirmed that the truth of God is contained both in the written documents that make up the canon and in the unwritten traditions. This raises the issue of the dual-source theory of revelation. Are there two sources of revelation—Scripture and tradition—or is there only one source—Scripture?

Scripture is the final judge and standard:

[Isa 8:20 LSB]  To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

I believe the truth of God can be found in a sermon or in a lecture, but not that it finds its origin there. So, the truth of God is found in Scripture and in tradition, but that tradition is not a source of revelation.  In other words, tradition must be examined in light of Scripture - never vice versa, and tradition should never solely dictate doctrinal beliefs apart from the Truth found in Scripture.

In response to the Protestant claim of private interpretation, Rome declared at the Fourth Session of Trent:

 “Furthermore, in order to restrain petulant spirits, [the council] decrees, that no one, relying on his own skill, shall,—in matters of faith, and of morals pertaining to the edification of Christian doctrine,—wresting the sacred Scripture to his own senses, presume to interpret the said sacred Scripture contrary to that sense which holy mother Church,—whose it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures,—hath held and doth hold.”

Which leads me to one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture:

[Act 17:11 LSB]  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Jesus and the Apostles constantly appealed to Scripture as the final authority.  Jesus repeatedly said:
"It is written…" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 — during the temptation)

"Have you not read…?" (Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16, 42)

"The Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35)

Paul, Peter, and the other apostles constantly quoted Scripture to prove their teaching and never appealed to an unwritten tradition as equal in authority. We're also instructed to not add to or subtract from the Word of God: [Deu 4:2 LSB]  “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I am commanding you. [Pro 30:5-6 LSB]  EVERY word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. [6]  DO NOT ADD to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar. [Rev 22:18-19 LSB]  I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. [19]  And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

This is where Catholics are doomed before they even get started.  In other words, "WE - the Catholic church will tell you what the Scriptures mean.  Don't even bother reading it on your own - you will obviously screw it up!"

Human traditions can nullify the Word of God

[Matthew 15:3, 6, 9] (Jesus rebuking the Pharisees) “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?… So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God… in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

This is one of the strongest warnings in the Bible against elevating tradition to the level of Scripture.