My friend, Chris, majored in communication and human relations. He’s been a Christian for several years, but has recently begun truly searching the Scriptures for his answers about theology and doctrine.

I talked to Chris a little about religious authority and then asked him where he went for religious authority. He stated that he used to go to his pastors and elders in the church, but he’s come to realize that he must look at the Bible first. I don’t believe that he ever meant to put his pastor in the place of primary authority, but I respect the fact that when he realized that his pastor was fallible and errant (being human), Chris went to God’s Word. Now, God’s Word is his primary source and always will be.

Chris currently doesn’t give much authority to his denomination or tradition. He actually doesn’t claim a denomination. He wants to know what the Bible says first. He believes that searching as an individual is a better method. It sounds almost like he depends mainly on himself and his own interpretation of Scripture, but he doesn’t. He uses other sources and commentaries; as well as, speaking with mentors in his life.

He believes that a person should interpret the Bible on their own while also seeking the guidance of others in authority. Chris isn’t a Bible scholar; he hasn’t been to seminary, but he believes that people must think for themselves. We must know the Scriptures and check what our pastors and teachers are saying against the Scriptures. If we do not know the Scriptures, then we will not know how to measure what those in authority are saying.

His stance on the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church isn’t so clear. He stated that laymen at that time didn’t have access to the Scriptures. They didn’t know how to interpret the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church needed to feed the Scriptural truths to them. However, Chris doesn’t agree with the power that the Pope has or with several other things that the Roman Catholic faith claims.

It was a very interesting discussion that I enjoyed!

I did my case study with our new head Pastor. It was like “old home” night and we both enjoyed the assignment. I gave a brief explanation of The Theology Program and my participation in it. Then I asked him the three questions. 1.) Where do you go for religious authority? He said ‘the Word of God was primary then so an not to to be in a vacuum, he goes the the history of The Church, our own denomination, linguistic sources and tools, nature, and then the inaudible but unmistakable “voice of God.” 2.) How much authority do you give your denomination or tradition? He said we are all subject to earthly authorities. He voluntarily submits to our church government, our country’s government and then within our church the elders. First, though he said all earthly authorities are judged as right to follow unless they order him to do something that is against God’s Word. Otherwise he honors and commits to other authorities as God has commanded us to. 3) Should a person interpret the Bible on their own or do you think that they should seek the guidance of others in authority? He said, Conditionally yes. We have the Holy Spirit to counsel us. But the coals of sin burn below the surface of each of us. I am not God, I am fallible, and I do need to check with others. Then I went though the views of authority and the arguments for Duel-source Theory of authority vs. Sola Scripture theory. Then our time was up (the next group were at the door) and I will come back next Friday for the last question. I appreciate my pastor’s time he gave me an look forward to his answer to the major cause of the split between RC and P.

1. Question: Where do you go for religious authority?
Response: the Bible

2. Question: How much authority do you give your denomination or tradition?
Response: I don’t necessarily give them authority because they claim
Christian, I give them authority when the tradition is proven by Scripture.

3. Question: Do you think that a person should interpret the Bible on their own or
do you think that they should seek the guidance of others in authority?
Response: I think they should interpret it on their own and seek the guidance of
others in authority (Pastor, Friend, Professor) when needed.

After explaining the different views of authority and going through the arguments for the Dual-source Theory of authority and the Sola Scriptura theory of authority with Jackie (which she found very interesting and wanted to know more), I asked her the final question. Jackie’s response was yes. She felt that if the split was not made she would not have the relationship with God that she does today. She believes everybody should know exactly why they believe what they believe and that is almost impossible to do with a dual-source theory. She basically said - why would I ask the Pope, who is just human, when I can ask Jesus now. Jackie was confident in her view of authority before we sat down but she stated she is more confident now after hearing the arguments.

I had a great time with my friend Jackie. We don’t really get the time to “talk deep” very much. So it was nice to have an excuse to do so!

Thank you for reading

BIBLIOLOGY & HERMENEUTICS
CASE STUDY 1
Sources of Authority: Dual-Source View vs. Sola Scriptura

by
Ted Pickerrell

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with a fellow Christian staff member, Jeff, to discuss the authority embraced by the Roman Catholic community versus the authority identified as sola Scriptura that the Protestant community adheres to.
Despite the fact that Jeff has an undergraduate degree from a Bible college, it took some time for me to clarify the meaning behind the opening question – “Where do you go for religious authority?” Of course, his initial response was “the Scriptures”. Ultimately, he added “Respected godly believers that I trust”. Upon prodding him to explain who these godly believers are and what is the basis for their counsel he was easily able to respond that they use the Scriptures for their spiritual foundation.
When we moved on to the next question, “How much authority do you give your denomination or tradition?” the discussion became very interesting. Jeff is a member of a church called Vintage Faith. This church is headed by Dan Kimball, a key figure of the “Emerging Church” movement. Vintage Faith is operating under the auspices of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Cruz without identifying themselves as Presbyterian. Jeff acknowledged that he needed to learn what are the differences between his church and the Presbyterian Church. Furthermore, he stated that he identifies with the “Emerging Church” only in methodology, not in doctrine. Nevertheless, he agrees with the Nicene Creed, which he said Vintage Faith stands on as well. Is anyone as confused by all of this as I am?
I failed to ask “Do you think that a person should interpret the Bible on their own or do you think that they should seek the guidance of others in authority?” Jeff’s reply to the first question seemed to obviate the answer. However, I did ask if his church is a source of authority for him or only a place of worship. He responded that it is also a source of authority.
Since we had touched on the subject of the Nicene Creed, it was helpful to Jeff to discuss regula fidei and define what creeds are. Then we moved on through the meaning of and adherents to sola ecclesia. Finally, we discussed sola Scriptura, where it sprang from, its adherents and how it contrasts with solo Scriptura. By the time that we arrived at the final question, “Do you think that the difference between sola Scriptura and dual-source theories was significant enough to be a major cause for the split between Roman Catholics and Protestants in the 16th century?” we both automatically gave an affirmative nod.

I completed this case study with one of my staff members.

I asked, “Where do you go for religious authority?”
Respone: Priest or pastor (I did ask her to think as a RC

Upon futher inquiry the understanding of “authority” was someone who could
assist in knowing or learning more about the Bible.

I proceeded to the second quesiton (How much authority do you give your denomination?)
Response: About 90%. (Being part of the SBC I sort of expected this answer)

Thrid question: Do you think a person should interpret the Bible on their own or should they seek guidance?
Response. Its okay to start with your own interpretation. However, many times guidance is needed.

I probed more upon this question. By asking how would you know if your own interpretation was correct.
Reply: “I would verify with a knowledgeable person to make sure I arrived at a good answer.”

I then proceeded to explain the views of authority.

The person was unaware of these views and found them helpful in understanding some differences
between Protestants and Roman Catholics.

I also had to clarify between tradition 1 and 2.

Next, after going through the dual-source theory she responded with shock
that the Roman Catholic would hold to such a position. Being a staunch defender of the Bible
she wondered how they (RC) could come up with such thoughts.

I briefly explained and reviewed some of the texts used by Roman Catholic apologist to discredit
Sola Scriptura. This lead into the subject of infallibilty on behalf of the Pope and the
Marion dogmas.

In order to complete the final question I had to do an overview of the reformation.
She was unfamiliar with this period of church history. All she knew is that she heard the
word reformation.

She responded to the final question with a resounding yes.

Overall the experience was fun (no I didn’t fire her

Phil

On the first two questions she affirmed that she looks to her local Priest for authority in matters of faith and practice. If there is a question concerning biblical principals she respects the view of the Priest who she says is trained in biblical interpretation. She feels that the average person does not have enough knowledge in biblical interpretation and that words in the bible have been interpreted incorrectly many times throughout history. She explained to me how ALL tradition and ALL Roman Catholic doctrine is Biblical. Of course as a Protestant I would disagree. The most challenging part of the interview was keeping the discussion on topic of the two perspectives of Authority and not go down the endless number of rabbit trails that presented themselves. I presented the protestant view of sola sriptura to which she pretty much responded that the bible gives the Church its authority when Jesus called Peter the rock on which he built the Church. When asked if the two views were enough to divide the church in the 16th century she responded “no” and that there have been attempts by the Pope to reconcile the church.

Overall i enjoyed discussing with my Aunt. I had known her to be devout and the case study confirmed this. It was clear from our discussion that she had a handle on the official Catholic doctrine on many of the sticking points between the two traditions. However, Im not convinced that scripture supports all the RCC doctrine as she maintains.

It was no surprise to me that my selection for an interview would say the bible was the place to go for religious authority. His next response did cause me to stop and contemplate his answer about denominational authority. He said he believed the denomination does not have authority but does require a “loyalty” to it. This caused me to internally question “how much loyalty?” I had the opportunity to listen to a testimony once of a deacon that lived during segregation. He had as other deacons of the church were doing at the time stood at the front doors to block them if necessary. The deacon confessed God had opened his eyes that it had been wrong to block the church doors. Thirty plus years had passed since his duty at the door and his heart was definitely changed. I decided this deacon acted out of a “tradition” that he grew up in. I can’t believe our denomination would require us to be loyal in a case such as this. I decided that if one has a blind loyalty to the denomination the blind loyalty would give the denomination an unspoken authority. I feel we should base our loyalty on what the bible has in it, God’s word (Sola Scriptura).

My subject felt individuals that are mature christian may be able to interpret scripture on their own but seek more learned christians if they have trouble. He did say one shouldn’t interpret scripture “in a vacuum”.

I have to be honest I sandbagged this assignment because I interviewed my pastor. I knew mostly how he would answer. But I did have to think more on the loyalty to our denomination idea.

Once again I found the case study to be a joy. I could see the lights go on or as Michael would say a spiritual hunger being filled. My subject easily identified with Sola Ecclesia and believed this is what was practiced in her tradition.

I believe the study left my subject hungry for more understanding of church history and theology proper.

It left me hungry to feed the spiritually hungry.

For religious authority my subject turns to the Bible as their final authority.

My subject only gives authority to the tradition where it stands in agreement with the Bible. After pressing a little more I acquired these estimations. About 40% - 50% agreement, 25% total disagreement and 25% of the time confusion. Confusion mainly because the matter seems to be gray and there is no conclusion to the matter. In addition my subject noted feeling like often the motive was to control and not edification.

Definitely seeks guidance from others. Also verifies that guidance to with reason and previous knowledge.

My subject see the differences between Sola Scriptura and Dual Source as so significant that separation was inevitable.