FIVE
SOLAS
REFORMATION
FAITH AND THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
In the
sixteenth century the Christian Faith was often expressed in terms of five “solas”
of the Protestant Reformation.[i] How
does the PC(USA) relate to these standards?
1.
SOLA SCRIPTURA – SCRIPTURE ALONE
Sola Scriptura affirms the Bible to be without
error in all matters pertaining to faith and life, the sole source of written
divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches
all that is necessary for our salvation and is the standard by which all
Christian behavior must be measured.
The Erosion of Authority
Although the PC(USA) still affirms in its Confessions that the
Bible is the source of our faith and life, in its practice, individual interpretations
are valued above the propositional truths of Scripture.
- The Confession of 1967 states that Scriptural authority is determined not by Scripture but by the interpreter. In effect this means that our intellect is valued above the plain meaning of the text (C67 - 9.27)
- Those who deny key biblical doctrines remain unchallenged. For example, in a sermon on Pentecost 2012, Rev John Shuck denied that most of the events in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles ever happened.[ii] Previously, Shuck has denied many of the central tenets of the Christian faith.
- In the recent GA Permanent Judicial Commission Parnell case, those who sought to reference the authority of Scripture were told that, since there are so many interpretations of the Bible, it cannot be used to prove any one position. [iii]
- The Confession of 1967 states that Scriptural authority is determined not by Scripture but by the interpreter. In effect this means that our intellect is valued above the plain meaning of the text (C67 - 9.27)
- Those who deny key biblical doctrines remain unchallenged. For example, in a sermon on Pentecost 2012, Rev John Shuck denied that most of the events in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles ever happened.[ii] Previously, Shuck has denied many of the central tenets of the Christian faith.
- In the recent GA Permanent Judicial Commission Parnell case, those who sought to reference the authority of Scripture were told that, since there are so many interpretations of the Bible, it cannot be used to prove any one position. [iii]
[i] What
follows is based, loosely, on the 1996 Cambridge Declaration. monergism.com/The%20Cambridge%20Declaration.pdf
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