How do we know the Bible is not the sole rule of faith?
The short answer
The Bible itself never claims to be. Paul told Timothy to hand on what he had heard, and told the Thessalonians to hold fast to the traditions they were taught orally or by letter. These teachings, entrusted to the Church, are as much part of the faith as the Bible.
Scripture doesn't say so
The Bible does not claim to be the only rule of faith.
Paul's instructions
Paul wrote: "And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well" (2 Timothy 2:2). And: "stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours" (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Part of the faith
These oral teachings and traditions were handed down and entrusted to the Church. They are as much part of the full Christian faith as the Bible; ignoring them is as tragic as ignoring Scripture.
Continue exploring
- Do our beliefs and traditions come from God or from human beings?Q&A
- Should extra-biblical traditions carry the same weight as Scripture?Q&A
- Are Catholics free to interpret Bible verses without the Church's approval?Q&A
- Scripture and TraditionTract
- Who decided which books are in the Bible?Q&A
- Are the Protoevangelium of James and the Gospel of the Birth of Mary authentic documents?Q&A