http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/06/in-defense-of-sola-scriptura-part-three/ Making Theology Accessible Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:26:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/06/in-defense-of-sola-scriptura-part-three/comment-page-1/#comment-28006 Br. Christopher Gaffrey, OFM Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:55:50 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1034#comment-28006 Dear Michael, Thank you for this discussion of authority and revelation as understood by various Christian denominations. I wanted to point out one more argument from scripture that shows the relationship of the Church to revelation. Please see 1 Tim 3:15 "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." Though giving instructions about how ministers should comport themselves, Paul describes the Church as "the pillar and foundation of truth." The truth is obviously the gospel. Being described as "the pillar and foundation" shows that the gospel was entrusted to the Church. Paul in 1 Cor 12:28 lists the different ministerial gifts of the Spirit given for the upbuilding of the Church, the first of which are apostles, to whom Christ hands on his authority (implicit in the commissions Mt 28, Acts 1, etc). The fact that one apostle, Peter was chosen as head of the apostles is not to be seen as an over-lording authority but service to the unity of the Church (remember "God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body" 1 Cor 12:24-25... "Simon, Simon ... I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers" Lk 22:31-32 ... "'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'"John 21:15). Christ handed his teaching and authority to the apostles who taught others and wrote down the teaching of Christ. By handing down the office of apostle in the form of the episcopacy, the apostles handed down also the authority that Christ gave. John 20:21-22 shows that this authority is passed on by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Hence the passing on of that authority in the sacrament of Holy Orders to the successors of the... Dear Michael, Thank you for this discussion of authority and revelation as understood by various Christian denominations. I wanted to point out one more argument from scripture that shows the relationship of the Church to revelation. Please see 1 Tim 3:15 “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.” Though giving instructions about how ministers should comport themselves, Paul describes the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth.” The truth is obviously the gospel. Being described as “the pillar and foundation” shows that the gospel was entrusted to the Church. Paul in 1 Cor 12:28 lists the different ministerial gifts of the Spirit given for the upbuilding of the Church, the first of which are apostles, to whom Christ hands on his authority (implicit in the commissions Mt 28, Acts 1, etc). The fact that one apostle, Peter was chosen as head of the apostles is not to be seen as an over-lording authority but service to the unity of the Church (remember “God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body” 1 Cor 12:24-25… “Simon, Simon … I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” Lk 22:31-32 … “‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”John 21:15). Christ handed his teaching and authority to the apostles who taught others and wrote down the teaching of Christ. By handing down the office of apostle in the form of the episcopacy, the apostles handed down also the authority that Christ gave. John 20:21-22 shows that this authority is passed on by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Hence the passing on of that authority in the sacrament of Holy Orders to the successors of the…

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