Sola Scriptura vs. Ancient Literacy Rates

[HRoberson]

I'm just discussing the intent and reach of someone yelling "sola scriptura! Sola scriptura!"

I think it's a given that RC and EO folks will find fault with the concept.

[HRoberson]

What Sola Scriptura means is that whoever is making the rules should rely on Scripture to make those rules.

Hmm, maybe.   The rule makers should not contradict Scripture, for sure, and I'm glad we have the Scriptures to provide a kind of check on the leaders.

I'm not against local groups deciding that "this is the way we do church." All groups get to organize themselves in some fashion and script their times together. No big deal. The issue comes when we use our knowledge of Scripture and deduce limits to fellowship or "real" Christianity based on our deductions.

Yet the NT says the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim 3:15).   

Moreover, not every truth  is in the Bible.

This is true. But all the ones you need for returning to God are.

For example, we believe in the Trinity (not in the NT) and the divinity of the Holy Spirit in Scripture is lacking.

I'm not sure that not buying the concept of the Trinity is damning. I have no problem with Modalists or Oneness folks being in Heaven.

For evangelicals, there is no sinner's prayer in the Bible, so they feel compelled to add one.

I don't.

So, if there isn't a mention of indulgences, then the rule makers don't get to make them up.

I am not fond of indulgences, don't get me wrong.  But Jesus does leave it up to the Apostles (leaders) to decide which sins can be forgiven, so, I guess they can decide these things.

I'm not convinced that deciding which sins are to be forgiven includes creating hoops for that forgiveness.

If Mary is not revealed to have been immaculately conceived, they don't get to make that up either and certainly not impose it as dogma.

I don't believe in Mary's immaculate conception, yet, I think the church can say this.  Follow me here:  Original sin is a doctrine of the west (RCC and Protestants; we EOs don't buy this one as a doctrine). Therefore, Mary cannot have original sin which would be passed off to her offspring.  Therefore, Mary cannot be born in sin.  How did they come up with the doctrine of the Trinity? I think through tradition, but if you use scripture to prove it,  you have to make assumptions and inferences, just us the  RCC did to justify immaculate conception.

See my comments on the Trinity above. I don't particularly care if someone wants to believe in Mary's immaculate conception. Making de fide, on the other hand, is a different question.

I have no idea what Wycliffe's rallying cry was. However, folks should have Scripture available to them.

Agreed.  John Chrystostom said what you did (not what Wycliffe said).   Yet, as you say . . .

That however, has nothing directly to do with Sola Scriptura.

Yeah, just because some of us read scripture doesn't mean we believe in Sola Scriptura.   

Well, that is clearly apparent. ;)