Quartz 4

CONTRA SOLAM SCRIPTVRAM

5 min read

In the following notes, I wish to provide some resources for better understanding the Protestant distinctive of Scripture Alone, enabling one to contend with its adherents. It should also (hopefully) serve to illuminate that which is the opposing Catholic paradigm.

I - MISSIO CHRISTI

We begin by pondering the purpose of Our Lord’s earthly ministry. This is elucidated succinctly to St. Joseph, as described in the Matthaean account:

And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

His mission is given in His Sacred name, thought to be a derivative of the phrase “the LORD saves”. This is what is meant by the Creed when it states:

For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven.

But what is salvation? We may examine the question in two senses, both objectively and subjectively; yet we shall proceed by speaking in the subjective sense, for while we know that the objective act of redemption is sufficient for all, here the Evangelist emphasizes the application to “his people”.

To acquire knowledge of anything, we must discourse toward an understanding of its nature, which is ordinarily achieved by considering its causes, which are classically understood to be four-fold:

  • material (that of which something is composed),
  • formal (that by which something is),
  • efficient (or that which brings about change),
  • and final (or its purpose).

Yet before proceeding, it must be observed that salvation, as it exists in us, is an accidental created effect, evident in the fact that it is something distinct from our essence. For this reason the causes are predicated in an analogical sense.

Our Lord effects salvation unto “his people”. Particularly, this concerns our souls, which are the foundation upon which our justification is enacted. For so says the prophet Ezekiel:

And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in the midst of you: and I will cause you to walk in my commandments, and to keep my judgments, and do them.

Here as well we can see the formal cause, for so says Aquinas:

God’s motion to justice does not take place without a movement of the free-will; but He so infuses the gift of justifying grace that at the same time He moves the free-will to accept the gift of grace, in such as are capable of being moved thus.

Most evident in this passage is the centrality of Our Lord as the effecting agent, “for He shall save” This can further be understood distinguished into the principle cause (His divinity, which he shares with the other persons of the Godhead) and the instrumental cause (his humanity.) Further still, the instrumental cause is comprised of the principle, secondary, moral, and dispositive.

Finally, we know the end of the redemptive work is contrary to “their sins”, which given that sin is the alienation from God by displeasing act, we know the terminus of salvation is beautification.

But end does the infusion of grace accomplish?

Hence in order that a man arrive at the perfect vision of heavenly happiness, he must first of all believe God, as a disciple believes the master who is teaching him.

Faith. Act versus habit. Mystery. Revelation. Objective. Rule of faith.

II - REGVLA PROTESTANTIVM

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III - CONTRA SOLAM SCRIPTVRAM

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IV - DOCENTES EOS SERVARE OMNIA

What is scripture? Inspired writing which contains materially all revelation necessary for our salvation.

What is sacred tradition? This Deposit as preached and taught, passed down orally. Not to be confused with Apostolic traditions.

  • Not merely old, but that which is presented as to be believed.
  • Not merely what experts on the faith taught, but explicitly what they affirmed as residing in the apostolic deposit. Not numeric, but moral consensus.
  • Virtual and formal truth. Not always explicit, but implicit. What is the deposit of faith? Those truths which were taught by Christ through the Apostles.

What is a Magisterium? Materially, it is composed of men in whom the Spirit who will conserve the revelation in the Church.

Ends of Revelation. Ends require means. Physical (necessary) versus moral (sufficient). Revisiting disposition.

Instrumental cause of subject salvation (Christ’s humanity). Sacraments as secondary instruments, for they proceed the primary cause. Mystical body of Christ: John 15:4-5. Col 2:19.

These must ensure that teaching is pure (without err), universal, to command faith.

There 3 types of messenger: herald (proclamation), notary (authentication), judge (authoritative).

  • office of proclamation (preaching): authorized laymen, deacons, and priest
  • office of notary: bishops/ordinary magisterium (basically demands submission of intellect and will)
  • Office of judge: acts of the extraordinary magisterium (demands faith)

These are charisms, or gifts of the Spirit.

Seen in scripture: Matthew 28:18-10

  • Internal help (with the Spirit) purity of preaching Mark 16:15-20
  • Notes of credibility Luke 24:47-50
  • Authentic
  • Notes of credibility John 20:21-23 John 21:15-17
  • authority

Rules of faith: remote (scripture and tradition) and proximate (magisterium.)

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