Verified Claim ·

Did the early Church use Scripture alone as its rule of faith, without appeal to Tradition or an authoritative teaching office?

Historically Refuted
Section I

Understanding the Claim

The argument in one sentence: Irenaeus explicitly argues against heretics who claimed to use Scripture — his criterion of orthodoxy is apostolic Tradition preserved in episcopal succession, not Scripture alone.
Section VI

The Fideograph Verdict

Verdict: Historically Refuted. Irenaeus explicitly argues against heretics who claimed to use Scripture — his criterion of orthodoxy is apostolic Tradition preserved in episcopal succession, not Scripture alone.
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