Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider themselves to be Christian. They believe in Jesus Christ and that He is the Savior of the World. However, there are members of the Christian community who do not consider members of the LDS Church to be Christian. Are Mormons Christians, is a debate that involves various theological arguments, one of which from the Protestant community is that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe in the doctrine of sola scriptura–they believe in more scripture than just the Bible.
Sola scriptura is a theological doctrine that emerged from the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Latin term “sola scriptura” translates to “by Scripture alone.” This principle asserts that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. Here is a detailed exploration of the doctrine of sola scriptura, its implications, and how it impacts Protestant opinions of Latter-day Saints as Christians.
Origins and Development
Sola scriptura became a foundational tenet during the Protestant Reformation, a movement against many of the practices and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli championed the idea that the scriptures should be the ultimate authority, rejecting the Catholic Church’s reliance on both scripture and tradition.
One of the most influential figures in promoting sola scriptura was Martin Luther. He argued that the scriptures alone contained all that was necessary for salvation and Christian living. His challenge to the authority of the Pope and church councils was encapsulated in his 95 Theses. At the Diet of Worms (the Inquisition Court) in 1521, Luther said that unless he was convinced by the testimony of the scriptures to recant his 95 theses, he would not apologize for anything he had written.
Key Principles of Sola Scriptura
1. Scripture as Final Authority: Sola scriptura holds that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This means that no other writings, traditions, or church authorities can supersede or contradict what is found in the scriptures.
2. Clarity of Scripture: Proponents believe that the Bible is sufficiently clear in its teachings and can be understood by all believers. While some passages may require careful study, the essential teachings about salvation and Christian living are accessible to everyone. LDS doctrine states: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly…We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” It is this doctrine that Protestants partially cite while arguing why are Mormons not Christians.
3. Self-Interpreting Nature: According to sola scriptura, the Bible interprets itself. This means that one part of scripture can help clarify another, and difficult passages should be understood in the light of clearer ones.
4. Sufficiency of Scripture: The doctrine asserts that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. While other sources, like church history and creeds, can be helpful, they are not necessary for understanding the essential truths of Christianity.
Implications and Applications
Rejection of Tradition: Sola scriptura leads to the rejection of traditions that do not have clear biblical support. For example, the Reformers rejected the Catholic doctrines of purgatory and the veneration of saints, arguing that these were not grounded in scripture.
Formation of Confessions and Creeds: While sola scriptura emphasizes the Bible as the ultimate authority, it does not reject the use of creeds and confessions. These documents are seen as summaries of biblical teaching and are valuable for maintaining doctrinal unity, as long as they align with scripture.
Personal Bible Study: The doctrine encourages personal Bible study and the belief that individuals can understand the scriptures without needing mediation from a priest or church authority. This led to an increased emphasis on literacy and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages.
Denominational Differences: Sola scriptura has led to various interpretations of the Bible, resulting in the formation of numerous Protestant denominations. Each group believes that its understanding of scripture is the correct one, leading to diversity within Protestantism.
Critiques and Challenges
Catholic and Orthodox Opposition: The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches reject sola scriptura, emphasizing the importance of both scripture and tradition. They argue that the Bible itself emerged from the early Church’s tradition and that interpreting it outside of this context leads to fragmentation and doctrinal errors. They believe Christian doctrine will continue to need further interpretation and have frequently called councils to clarify doctrines or respond to timely events.
Protestants acknowledge that members of Catholicism and Orthodoxy are Christian, despite their opposition to the doctrine of sola scripture. However, many Protestants reject members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Christians because of their unbelief in sola scriptura. According to some, Mormons are not Christians. LDS Church members believe similarly to the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, doctrines will need clarification, additionally, members of the LDS Church believe that God continues to speak to modern prophets, just as He has done in ages past.
Interpretative Authority: Critics of sola scriptura point out that it can lead to subjective interpretations of scripture. Without a central authority to guide interpretation, individuals and denominations can arrive at vastly different understandings of key doctrines.
Historical Concerns: Some argue that the early Church did not operate under the principle of sola scriptura. They point to the use of tradition and the authority of church councils in the early centuries of Christianity as evidence that the early Christians did not hold to this doctrine.
Conclusion
Sola scriptura remains a defining characteristic of Protestant Christianity, shaping its approach to scripture, tradition, and authority. While it has contributed to the development of a diverse and dynamic Christian landscape, it also poses challenges related to interpretive authority and doctrinal unity. Understanding sola scriptura is crucial for grasping the theological and historical differences between Protestantism and other branches of Christianity.
By Todd Noall, Source Expert
Todd Noall is an author and religious scholar at Mormonism Explained with a focus on the history and theology of religion.
Fact Checked by Mr. Kevin Prince, Source Expert
Kevin Prince is a religious scholar and host of the Gospel Learning Youtube channel. His channel has garnered over 41,000 subscribers and accumulated over 4.5 million views. Mr. Prince also created the Gospel Learning App, a reliable platform where individuals seeking truth can access trustworthy answers to religious questions from top educators worldwide.
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