Secondly, I speak to you again, the reader who happens upon this debate in search of a discussion of the issues. Please make sure that you examine this issue with the gravity that it deserves and consider both the arguments that I present as well as the ones my opponent presented. He and I both cite sources which are worthy of examination, and I encourage you to avail yourself of them. This issue of the role of Scripture affects a great deal with regards to the way we conduct ourselves, and our opinion of it determines our subsequent theology. If the Bible be insufficient, then we will look past its pages for something more. If it be the sole infallible authority, then we will make ourselves submissive to it in all matters that Scripture addresses. If the Bible is insufficient, and we think it's sufficient, then we will miss a part of God's special revelation to man. If Scripture is fully sufficient, and we think it to being insufficient, then we are submitting ourselves to something fallible and corruptible which can and often does lead us from the God-inspired Truth.

Again, I state my conclusion, and the argument I have pled for throughout the course of this debate: Scripture is the sole, infallible rule of faith for all matters of doctrine and practice. It needs neither an infallible interpreter nor a body of ambiguous Tradition to stand in the position that God has given it through His breath of inspiration. No other rule of faith has been presented by my opponent to cast doubt on my assertion.

My Opponent's Failure to Demonstrate Another Rule of Faith

In order for Sola Scriptura to be demonstrated as truth, two things have to be noted: That Scripture is sufficient to serve as the sole infallible rule of faith, and that no other rule of faith exists which has the same inspiration and can perform the same offices as Scripture can. However, I did not see any demonstration from my opponent of another rule of faith.

Now, I note that it was asserted several times that it is my burden to prove Sola Scriptura, not his burden to disprove it. This may or may not be right in the context of this debate. Some could argue one way, some another, but it wasn't discussed in the terms of our debate. However, I would think that it makes for a very dull debate if there is not a counterpoint to the point. My opponent did make some statements and offer rebuttals, but I got the general feeling he didn't feel a need to present his case.

Amongst the arguments that my opponent did cite came a central challenge: His feeling that Sola Scriptura is unbiblical and unhistorical. I shall offer my final comments on these charges.

The Common Objections Cited by My Opponent

Not a Biblical Doctrine:

My opponent's main argument against Sola Scriptura was what he felt to be the absence of Scriptural merit for the practice, indeed stating that the doctrine of Scripture alone is unbiblical. However, what he fails to see is what the whole principle of Scripture alone is in the first place. Sola Scriptura is a hermeneutic method, a way of approaching and interpreting Scripture. I stated from the beginning of the debate what Sola Scriptura is and isn't (and recommend the wonderful treatment on this issue by James R White in The Roman Catholic Controversy and David King in Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of Our Faith, Volume I), however it would seem this explanation went relatively unnoticed. I ask the reader to refer back to my opening statement for my definitional presentation.

In this light, my opponent's assertions hold no water, as it is very evident in Scripture that this hermeneutic of Scriptural sufficiency was employed.

The Gospel of Matthew

Studying the New Testament, we find one of the evidences of the Sola Scriptura hermeneutic in the Bible: that of the Gospel of Matthew. Throughout the book, Matthew appeals to the Hebrew Scriptures as evidence that Christ fulfills the Messianic prophecies. These instances include, but are not limited to, such verses as Matthew 2:5-6; 17-18; 3:3.

Mat 2:5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"

Mat 2:17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 "A VOICE
WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE."

Mat 3:3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE
CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'"

Matthew makes his appeal through Scripture.

Christ and The Sola Scriptura Hermeneutic

Christ also affirms the hermeneutic of Sola Scriptura through his words. His words constantly call those who He admonishes to the authority and words of Scripture, and holds them responsible to know and obey it. "It is written