Week 4-The Bible Alone?

Welcome back to week 4- The Bible Alone? aka Sola Scriptura

We continue our study of the Bible from last week- but most importantly we appreciate the Church that upholds it. Remember the 3-legged stool example? We stand on Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scriptures, and the Magisterium. I love this picture because who would balance on a 1 legged-stool except for an acrobat? Maybe in my teenage years I would have attempted it out of pride- ergo another truth in the matter. 

I highly recommend referencing the scriptures sighted in the book alongside your reading this week. For example, how awesome is this passage on reading scripture? (2 Pet 3:15-16) 

15

 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,16 speaking of these things^* as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.

Peter knew it would be difficult to understand the Bible and yet we know how to act and interpret the Scriptures because we have the Church, 1 Tim 3:15:  

15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

___ Questions from Week 3:

Here is a quick answer to the question last week about the Book of James and revisions from Martin Luther. Luther did not want James in the New Testament due to his belief in Sola Fide- Faith Alone. But the book remains and the New American Bible (NAB) matches the King James Version (KJV) fairly well except for the old English. The verses about faith and works have not been eliminated as the KJV states here: James 2: 14-18

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James goes on to show how Abraham was justified by his faith with his action to sacrifice his son. Just so, even the devil believes in God- but we are called to know, love, and serve Him.

Great questions and feel free to comment or bring more this week! 

See you in the Eucharist, 

The Marino's