Scripture & Tradition

Did the early Church teach that Scripture alone is the sole rule of faith, or did it appeal to a living apostolic tradition transmitted through episcopal succession?

Irenaeus's argument against the Gnostics is decisive: the Gnostics also had Scripture and also claimed to interpret it correctly. If Scripture alone…

Historically Verified

4 sources AD 96–434

Was the canon of the New Testament established by Scripture itself, or was it determined by the authority of the Church acting on apostolic tradition?

For the first three centuries, Christians read Clement's letter, the Shepherd of Hermas, and the Didache alongside Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.…

Historically Verified

2 sources AD 180–419

Scripture & Tradition

Did Irenaeus of Lyon use the publicly known succession of bishops in Rome as the criterion of orthodox teaching — implying that succession, not Scripture alone, is the rule of faith?

The power of Irenaeus's argument is that it is publicly verifiable. He does not say: trust the bishop's interpretation of Scripture. He…

Historically Verified

2 sources AD 185

Scripture & Tradition

"The canon of Scripture used by the early Church included the seven deuterocanonical books rejected by Protestant Reformers."

Luther removed the deuterocanonical books from the Old Testament in the sixteenth century because 2 Maccabees 12 supports prayer for the dead…

Historically Verified

6 sources AD 96–419

Scripture & Tradition

"The early Church held that Scripture alone — without Sacred Tradition or the Church's teaching authority — was the sufficient rule of faith."

The New Testament canon itself was determined by the Church using Tradition — not by Scripture using itself. If Sola Scriptura were…

Historically Refuted

7 sources AD 180–397

History has always been on her side.