If we believe in this doctrine, then we should find it in the Bible:  If we say that all doctrine should be found in the Bible, then we should find the doctrine of Sola Scriptura in the Bible, right?

Right.  That would be logical…but the problem is that we do not find this in the Bible.

The scripture passage so often cited by proponents of Sola Scriptura is 2 Timothy 3: 15-17, however you shall see that Paul teaches nothing of the sort:

2 Timothy 3: 15-17:
“…from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Here there is not even the slightest implication that Scripture is the sole source of doctrine. Indeed, it affirms the value of Scripture – and that it is from God (which Catholics are taught), however nothing implies that it is all we need. To say that Scripture is “useful” is one thing, but to say it is the only writing that ought to be followed is another altogether.

Not only is the idea of Sola Scriptura not found in Scripture, itself, the New Testament, in fact, teaches against it:

2 Thessalonians 2:15
” So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”

1 Corinthians 11:2
“I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.”

2 Timothy 1:13-14
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

2 Timothy 2:1-2
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

The Bible is indeed the Word of God and without error, but neither Christ nor the Bible teach such an idea as Sola Scriptura.

“…even as where Jesus may be, there is the katholike ekklesia“…katholike ekklesia is translated “universal church” or “the catholic church” or “the one and only church”.

For the full text of the letter, click here.  All Christians can enjoy reading what Christian leaders of the generation following the Apostles wrote.

By the beginning of the 4th century, the descriptive (adjective) “catholic” became the popular name (noun) of the Church of the Christians:  The Catholic Church.

After writing (yes, ink and paper) for years and all the while asking myself how to best describe what it is I was writing, I chose this term in 2000 or so when I first decided to put the piles of notes and articles I’d written to a website.

I admire dozens of apologists, Catholics, Protestants and even non-Christians alike – and those who participate in the “ecumenical movement” but I’ve long felt a need to fill a void between the two: To show that the two can and should compliment each other despite the common presumption that the two were not complimentary.

In too many cases, in my opinion, apologists are too “loose” with explanations and “proofs”; that is, they write with presumptions that their readership should not and does not presume – or they present material from a “why we are right and you are wrong” perspective rather than simply “why we believe”.

I belive that history, facts and logic should speak for themselves.

And ecumenists (again, just my opinion) are sometimes too eager to gloss over important differences for the sake of being ecumenical.

Ecumenism and apologetics should work hand in hand.