Greetings from Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado.
Sola Scriptura means "Scripture alone" and was one of the pillars of the reformation. To confess to Scripture/Bible alone means that only the Bible can be used for the establishment of doctrine and church practice. No other book, document, experience, tradition or philosophy can be understood as above or equal to Scripture. Not even an angel from heaven has more authority than Scripture.
When we move away from this pillar, other gods are created. In 2 Kings 22, we read of the Book of the Law being discovered as the temple was being repaired. Josiah called for a reform or a return to the true God. For as they had forsaken God's word and clung to other ideas, idols were embraced and created.
Luther points out that man is an idol creator. True, we may not be casting a golden calf to worship. But when we substitute our thoughts for Scripture, we create a god in our image. I have had couples tell me they don't need to be married because they are married in the sight of God. Did they get this from Scripture? No. They created a god that no longer requires marriage. Or a person says to me, "I don't need to worship at church. I can meditate on Him at home or while fishing." Where does it say that in Scripture? We justify our transgressions by creating new gods that approve our actions. To forsake Scripture is to forsake God.
In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of how from a child he has been taught Scripture. He reminds Timothy of the nature of Scripture. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Tim 3:16-17)
As Scripture is God's word, we, along with Timothy, can base our life on it. Our conscious can error, schools can error, governments can error, but Scripture will lead us into a godly life complete and equipped for every good work.
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus says, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Jesus is not pointing His disciples to go to Athens, Babylon or Egypt for the truth of salvation, He is pointing to His words. Peter also says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)
To stand on Scripture is to stand on Jesus's words. To forsake Scripture is to forsake the rock.
Scripture, like Christ, is God's gift to us -- a gift that gives eternal life and guidance and kindles in us hope, faith, love and compassion. Like Christ, it is human and divine. As Christ had no sin, so Scripture has no errors. You may trust His word, and I pray it will always light the path you walk.
Reformation 2017 is still about Jesus.
