Paul, the first church father, writing to Timothy, as they are founding the Christian church?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
- 2 Timothy 3:16
The church must be held to God's Word, and not the other way around.
This is why the Roman Catholic church slaughtered Reformers who were distributing God's Word: it exposed them.
Replies (3)
How do you get the New Testament when it did not exist when Paul wrote that? Is the word of God only the Torah which is what he referred to when he wrote that?
How (and by what authority) do you define the list of books that make up the Scriptures? Some books that existed were rejected (by the Church) for various reasons.
Paul wrote this before the New Testament canon was finalized.
Paul also said, “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by *our* spoken word or by our letter”
and “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command”
He also referred to "the church of the living God, which is *the pillar and foundation of the truth*."
Protestants also slaughtered thousands for their beliefs - not a great argument imo. persecution doesn't settle theological disputes.
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