“Why do you always appeal to Scripture; it is the source of all heresies.”
-Dr.
John Eck, a major Roman Catholic opponent of Martin Luther, as recorded in J.H. Merle d’Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the
Sixteenth Century, trans. Dr. H. White, Vol. V (Rapidan, VA: Harland Publications, reprinted 1846 London edition), p.250.
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Formal
sufficiency is the belief that the Scriptures contain all doctrines necessary to believe in order to be saved and that the Scriptures
are clearly and unambiguously understood where those doctrines are found. To sum up in a simple way what was just said:
Formal
Sufficiency = Material Sufficiency + Perspicuity
As we have already seen in the past articles, the church fathers believed in
both ‘material sufficiency’ and the ‘perspicuity of Scripture’. Thus, this alone implies ‘formal sufficiency’. However,
more explicit quotes of the church fathers that teach both the ‘formal sufficiency’ of Scripture and the ultimate authority of Scripture
will be provided. All quotes are taken from http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ (emphasis mine):
Clement of
For
we may not give our adhesion to men on a bare statement by them, who might equally state the opposite. But if it is not enough merely
to state the opinion, but if what is stated must be confirmed, we do not wait for the testimony of men, but we establish the matter
that is in question by the voice of the Lord, which is the surest of all demonstrations, or rather is the only demonstration; in which
knowledge those who have merely tasted the Scriptures are believers…
-Clement of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-02/anf02-69.htm#P9717_2735027
Lactantius
And since
he did not do this, being carried away by his distinguished knowledge of the sacred writings, so that he was content with those things
alone in which faith consists, I have undertaken, with the favour of God, to do this, and at the same time to prepare the way for
the imitation of others.
–Lactantius, The Divine Institutes 5.4
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-07/anf07-08.htm#P1724_691511
Athanasius
The
knowledge of our religion and of the truth of things is independently manifest rather than in need of human teachers, for almost day
by day it asserts itself by facts, and manifests itself brighter than the sun by the doctrine of Christ. Still, as you nevertheless
desire to hear about it, Macarius, come let us as we may be able set forth a few points of the faith of Christ: able though you are
to find it out from the divine oracles, but yet generously desiring to hear from others as well. For although the sacred and inspired
Scriptures are sufficient to declare the truth, while there are other works of our blessed teachers compiled for this purpose…
-Athanasius, Against the Heathen 1.1
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-04/Npnf2-04-12.htm#P1570_526894
Vainly then do they run
about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things;
but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter,
but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards
Christ announced in divine Scripture.
-Athanasius, De Synodis 1.6
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-04/Npnf2-04-64.htm#P7323_2907659
These
are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed
the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame
the Sadducees, and said, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these
are they that testify of Me.’
-Athanasius, Letters of Athanasius,
Festal Letters, Letter 39
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-04/Npnf2-04-93.htm#P9700_3475833
Cyril of
Have thou
ever in thy mind this seal, which for the present has been lightly touched in my discourse, by way of summary, but shall be stated,
should the Lord permit, to the best of my power with the proof from the Scriptures. For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of
the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility
and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell thee these things, give not absolute credence, unless thou receive the proof of the
things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on
demonstration of the Holy Scriptures.
-Cyril of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-09.htm#P452_92480
So for the present listen while I simply say the
Creed, and commit it to memory; but at the proper season expect the confirmation out of Holy Scripture of each part of the contents.
For the articles of the Faith were not composed as seemed good to men; but the most important points collected out of all the Scripture
make up one complete teaching of the Faith. And just as the mustard seed in one small grain contains many branches, so also this Faith
has embraced in few words all the knowledge of godliness in the Old and New Testaments. Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the
traditions which ye now receive, and write them on the table of your heart.
-Cyril of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-10.htm#P645_149614
[Notice how
he interprets 2 Thessalonians 2:15. To him, tradition as found in the creeds is simply the teaching of the Old and New Testaments.]
And
first let us inquire for what cause Jesus came down. Now mind not my argumentations, for perhaps thou mayest be misled but unless
thou receive testimony of the Prophets on each matter, believe not what I say: unless thou learn from the Holy Scriptures concerning
the Virgin, and the place, the time, and the manner, receive not testimony from man.
-Cyril of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-07/Npnf2-07-17.htm#P1417_386333
Basil of
Enjoying
as you do the consolation of the Holy Scriptures, you stand in need neither of my assistance nor of that of anybody else to help you
comprehend your duty. You have the all-sufficient counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead you to what is right.
-Basil, Letters of Basil, Letter CCLXXXIII
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-08/Npnf2-08-301.htm#P6114_1915781
John Chrysostom
Great
is the profit of the divine Scriptures, and all-sufficient is the aid which comes from them…For the divine oracles are a treasury
of all manner of medicines, so that whether it be needful to quench pride, to lull desire to sleep, to tread under foot the love of
money, to despise pain, to inspire confidence, to gain patience, from them one may find abundant resource.
-Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homily 37.1
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-14/npnf1-14-41.htm#P1928_653876
Tarry
not, I entreat, for another to teach thee; thou hast the oracles of God. No man teacheth thee as they; for he indeed oft grudgeth
much for vainglory's sake and envy. Hearken, I entreat you, all ye that are careful for this life, and procure books that will be
medicines for the soul. If ye will not any other, yet get you at least the New Testament, the Apostolic Epistles, the Acts, the Gospels,
for your constant teachers.
-Chrysostom, Homilies on Colossians,
Homily 9
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-13/npnf1-13-58.htm#P2178_1458414
Augustine
On such terms we might amuse ourselves
without fear of offending each other in the field of Scripture, but I might well wonder if the amusement was not at my expense. For
I confess to your Charity that I have learned to yield this respect and honour only to the canonical books of Scripture: of these
alone do I most firmly believe that the authors were completely free from error.
-Augustine, Letters of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-01/npnf1-01-23.htm#P4121_1692734
Better
far that I should read with certainty and persuasion of its truth the Holy Scripture, placed on the highest (even the heavenly) pinnacle
of authority, and should, without questioning the trustworthiness of its statements, learn from it that men have been either, commended,
or corrected, or condemned, than that, through fear of believing that by men, who, though of most praiseworthy excellence, were no
more than men, actions deserving rebuke might sometimes be done, I should admit suspicions affecting the trustworthiness of the whole
“oracles of God.”
-Augustine, Letters of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-01/npnf1-01-23.htm#P4121_1692734
This
Mediator, having spoken what He judged sufficient first by the prophets, then by His own lips, and afterwards by the apostles, has
besides produced the Scripture which is called canonical, which has paramount authority, and to which we yield assent in all matters
of which we ought not to be ignorant, and yet cannot know of ourselves.
-Augustine, City of
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-02/npnf1-02-17.htm#P1779_1021077
“Many false Christs and false
prophets shall arise, and shall do many signs and wonders, that they may deceive, if it were possible, the very elect: behold, I have
told you before.” This shows that the established authority of Scripture must outweigh every other; for it derives new confirmation
from the progress of events which happen, as Scripture proves, in fulfillment of the predictions made so long before their occurrence.
-Augustine, Reply to Faustus the Manichaean 13.5
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-04/npnf1-04-26.htm#P1515_814855
Now that all
Faustus’ calumnies have been refuted, those at least on the subjects here treated of at large and explained fully as the Lord has
enabled me, I close with a word of counsel to you who are implicated in those shocking and damnable errors, that, if you acknowledge
the supreme authority of Scripture, you should recognise that authority which from the time of Christ Himself, through the ministry
of His apostles, and through a regular succession of bishops in the seats of the apostles, has been preserved to our own day throughout
the whole world, with a reputation known to all.
-Augustine, Reply
to Faustus the Manichaean 23.9
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-04/npnf1-04-46.htm#P2536_1533579
But who can fail to be aware
that the sacred canon of Scripture, both of the Old and New Testament, is confined within its own limits, and that it stands so absolutely
in a superior position to all later letters of the bishops, that about it we can hold no manner of doubt or disputation whether what
is confessedly contained in it is right and true; but that all the letters of bishops which have been written, or are being written,
since the closing of the canon, are liable to be refuted if there be anything contained in them which strays from the truth, either
by the discourse of some one who happens to be wiser in the matter than themselves, or by the weightier authority and more learned
experience of other bishops, by the authority of Councils; and further, that the Councils themselves, which are held in the several
districts and provinces, must yield, beyond all possibility of doubt, to the authority of plenary Councils which are formed for the
whole Christian world; and that even of the plenary Councils, the earlier are often corrected by those which follow them, when, by
some actual experiment, things are brought to light which were before concealed, and that is known which previously lay hid, and this
without any whirlwind of sacrilegious pride, without any puffing of the neck through arrogance, without any strife of envious hatred,
simply with holy humility, catholic peace, and Christian charity?
-Augustine, On Baptism, Against the Donatists 2.3
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-04/npnf1-04-53.htm#P3163_1843900
Especially
as in writings of such authors I feel myself free to use my own judgment (owing unhesitating assent to nothing but the canonical Scriptures),
whilst in fact there is not a passage which he has quoted from the works of this anonymous author that disturbs me.
-Augustine, On Nature and Grace, Against Pelagius, ch.71
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-05/npnf1-05-16.htm#P1888_814447
For
what is so much an adversary to those who wish to sin as the commandment of God, i.e. His law and divine Scripture, which has been
given us for this life, that it may be with us in the way, which we must not contradict, lest it deliver us to the judge, but which
we ought to submit to quickly? For no one knows when he may depart out of this life. Now, who is it that submits to divine Scripture,
save he who reads or hears it piously, deferring to it as of supreme authority…
-Augustine, Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount 1.11.32
http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-06/npnf1-06-07.htm#P355_90813
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Also,
some helpful audio on this topic can be found at:
http://www.straitgate.com/webster/
http://www.straitgate.com/aom/dl/99.htm (Jan.
30, Feb. 6)
Suggested reading:
- Eric Svendsen, Evangelical Answers (Lindenhurst, New
York: Reformation Press, 1999).
- David King and William Webster, Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of Our Faith, Vol. I-III (
- William Webster, The Church of Rome at the Bar of History (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1995).
Formal Sufficiency
According to
The Church Fathers