Sola ScripturaThe Protestant Separating Line

JesusThen answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you …. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:19-39)

PaulAnd that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV)

Even for the Common Man

The Parable of the sower as found in the book of Mark along with Mark 12:37 offers us much information.

As we know, the Sacred Scriptures are the written testimony of the divine word, the canonical memorial that testifies to the event of Revelation. The Word of God therefore precedes and exceeds the Bible. This is why our faith is not only centred on a book but on a history of salvation and above all on a Person, Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. Precisely because the horizon of the divine word embraces and extends beyond Scripture, to understand it adequately the constant presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary, who “will guide you into all the truth” (Jn 16:13 Pope Francis to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, April 12, 2013.

We must put ourselves in line with the great Tradition which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and of the Magisterium, recognized the canonical writings as a word which God addressed to his People and never ceased to meditate on them and to discover their inexhaustible riches. It follows that the exegete must be attentive to perceiving the word of God present in the biblical texts, fitting them into the Church's faith itself. The interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures cannot only be an individual scientific effort. Rather, it must always be confronted, inserted and authenticated by the living Tradition of the Church. — Pope Francis to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, April 12, 2013.

"The doctrine and practice of the Church must not be allowed to be impugned by those who have no claim at all to Scripture, and who can prove neither the canon, its inspiration, nor its primary doctrines, except through that very authority which they are questioning, and through treacherous inconsistency with the principles on which they are interrogating it. When many years ago this ground was boldly adopted, it was charged with being an attempt to throw Protestants into infidelity, and sap the foundations of the Bible. Years of experience, and observation not superficial, have only strengthened our conviction, that this course must be fearlessly pursued. — The Catholic Doctrine on the Use of the Bible (1853), p. 11 (https://www.gloria.tv/media/XH9GcdvuztQ )

We must deny to Protestantism any right to use the Bible, much more to interpret it. Cruel and unfeeling it may be pronounced by those who understand the strength of our position, and the cogency of the argument; but it is much more charitable than to leave them to the repeated sin of blaspheming God’s Spouse, and trying to undermine the faith of our poor Catholics.The cry of ‘The Bible! [T]he Bible! [N]othing but the Bible!’ is as perilous to man’s salvation as the Jews’ senseless cry, ‘The Temple of the Lord! [T]he Temple of the Lord! [T]he Temple of the Lord it is!’ (Jeremiah 7:4)"— The Catholic Doctrine on the Use of the Bible (1853), p. 11 (https://www.gloria.tv/media/XH9GcdvuztQ )

The Power of GodJesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)

The Word or Men

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (Isaiah 29:13)

Short Bed

For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. (Isaiah 28:20)“In Bed together” is a phrase used to denote that there is an agreement between two parties

No Father’s Needed

Had it been essential for us to study the writings of the early fathers, Christ would have told us to do this. But the fathers do not all speak the same thing. Which of them shall we choose as a guide? There is no need for us to trust to such uncertainty. We pass by the fathers to learn of God out of His Word. This is life eternal, to know God. O, how thankful we should be that the inspired Word of God has been placed in our hands. Holy men of old wrote this Word as they were moved by the Spirit. {ST, March 21, 1906 par. 4}

No Commentary Required

The commentaries written about the Word do not all agree. Often they come into collision with one another. God does not ask us to be guided by them, but by His Word. All can search the Scriptures for themselves. And they may know that the teaching of this precious Book is unchangeable. The opinions of human beings differ, but the Bible always says the same thing. The Word of God is from everlasting to everlasting. {ST, March 21, 1906 par. 5}

The Written Word

God did not leave His Word to be handed down from generation to generation by oral transmission and traditional unfolding. Had He done this, the Word would gradually have been added to by man. Let us thank God for His written Word. {ST, March 21, 1906 par. 6}

No Tradition

The Scriptures need not be read by the dim light of tradition or human speculation. As well might we try to give light to the sun with a torch, as to explain the Scriptures by human tradition or imagination. God’s holy Word needs not the torch-light glimmer of earth to make its glories distinguishable. It is light itself--the glory of God revealed; and beside it every other light is dim. {ST, June 6, 1906 par. 10}

God’s Voice

The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God’s Word, and with what earnestness we would search its precepts. The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One. {ST, April 4, 1906 par. 7}

A More Sure WordWe have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:19-21 KJV)