The Nugget:
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
My Comment:
There are many individuals who do not believe the Bible is understandable to the ordinary reader. I even read a comment recently somewhere online that no reader today can understand the English of the King James Version of the Bible!
I am especially concerned for those who have been taught by their church that only their church has the authority to interpret the Bible.
There are those who argue that if it were not for their church, we would not even have the Bible today. They claim it was their authoritative church that determined which books belong in the Bible, and that this was not done until 382 AD, if I recall correctly.
Apologists for this church argue that there is no verse in the Bible that says we must go by the Bible alone. They argue we must also go by the traditions of their church.
There is a Bible verse which declares we are to go by the Bible alone. That verse is Isaiah 8:20. I discussed this verse in this connection here before at Daily Bible Nugget #820, Isaiah 8:20. Read that post to see the full argument.
My Answer to Such Challenges:
In my long and carefully studied opinion, I am certain you are mistaken in your assertions regarding (1) the canon of Scripture; (2) the meaning of “Sola Scriptura.”
In any case, we now have the New Testament. The New Testament consists of 27 primary source first century historical documents penned by the Apostles of Christ or their immediate disciples.
If you have carefully read and studied those 27 primary source documents for yourself in the manner I recommend every Christian or non-Christian would benefit by doing, you will experience the spiritual growth God intended His written Word in the Bible to bring to your life.
I recommend that you read the New Testament long enough each day (for a total of at least 20 minutes) and often enough each week (at least four days a week) on a permanent and continuing basis to experience the benefits in your life such reading will bring.
Anyone who has done such reading of God’s Word would immediately recognize, upon reading any of the Gnostic texts, that Gnostic texts are not at all comparable in content and are obviously not divinely inspired Scripture.
The Bible itself plainly declares within its text that we are to go by the Bible alone (Isaiah 8:20) and not add anything to or subtract anything from its content (Deuteronomy 4:2). The Bible also declares its own perspicuity–that it is understandable to the ordinary reader or hearer (Psalm 119:130).
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.