Sola Sciptura refuted by Scripture

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In honor of "Reformation day", we will examine a few Biblical and historical examples of how Sola Scriptura contradicts Scripture itself and is based on a circular reasoning with a false premise that the doctrine itself is Biblical. 🧵

St. Paul encouraged Christians to preserve not only the written word but also traditions that were taught alongside the written word. [2 Thess. 2:15] Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

The story of the Ethiopian in Acts 8 is perhaps the most compelling Biblical evidence of an educated layman appealing to apostolic authority to interpret Scripture. There are no Biblical examples of private interpretation of Scripture by laymen occurring.

[Acts 8:30-32] So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

The Ethiopian acknowledges that he cannot discern the meaning of this text so he refers to St Phillip's apostolic authority to interpret. St Phillip then gave an exposition of Isaiah 53, preaching to the Ethiopian that this Scripture was about Christ and not the prophet himself.

If Sola Scriptura were presupposed, why would the Ethiopian have asked for apostolic interpretation? He was not illiterate, St Phillip is asking him if he understands what he is already reading. If Scripture interpreted itself, this would be a totally unnecessary action.

St. Paul writes that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth, not the Scriptures. [1 Timothy 3:15] "...the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

You cannot claim the Scriptures are inspired just because they say so, since they don't even say so. Plus, this assumes the very thing you're trying to prove. Even Reddit atheists are correct to point this out and Protestants have no logical defense of it.

The NT canonization process took centuries and there were many differing canonical lists and disputes over books, so if Sola Scriptura is true, Christians for the first 800 years of the Church were lacking what Protestants consider the foundation of the Christian faith.

Even Luther had established his own canonical list and removed 7 books from Scripture because they conflicted with his theological framework.

The various writers of NT books also appealed to the inspiration of texts that are not included in the Protestant canon, which was why James and Jude were a problem for Luther.

For any Protestants reading this, if you love the Bible so much, become Orthodox. These books were compiled and confirmed by the Church Fathers throughout hundreds of years, Luther does not get to undo their work 1500 years later.