Scripture is the final authority for faith and practice. Tradition is weighed against the text — never above it. The text says what it says.
## Core Position
Scripture alone is the final authority for all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. Creeds, confessions, tradition, and church councils are reference points — not arbiters of truth. Where tradition and the text conflict, the text wins. Where Scripture is silent, silence is honored. No voice — ecclesiastical, prophetic, or angelic — stands above the written Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." Scripture alone equips completely.
Acts 17:11 — The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify what Paul himself taught. Apostolic teaching was subject to Scripture — not the other way around.
Isaiah 8:20 — "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them." The Word is the standard against which all teaching is measured.
Galatians 1:8 — "Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." No authority — ecclesiastical or angelic — stands above the Word.
Revelation 22:18-19 — Nothing added to or removed from the Word.
Psalm 119:105 — "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
- Scripture is the final authority — not one authority among several.
- Tradition, creeds, and confessions may be useful reference points but are not co-equal with Scripture.
- Where tradition and text conflict — the text wins.
- Where Scripture is silent — silence is honored; speculation is identified as such.
- Every doctrine must be traceable to the text — TRADITION must be named as TRADITION.
- It does not mean tradition is worthless — it means tradition is subordinate.
- It does not mean every individual interpretation is equally valid — the Spirit illuminates; the body weighs (1 Corinthians 14:29).
- It does not mean prophecy is invalid — active prophecy is always subordinate to and tested by Scripture.
Roman Catholic Magisterium — tradition and papal authority standing equal to or above Scripture. Rejected: Acts 17:11, Galatians 1:8.
Extra-biblical revelation as Scripture — any prophetic word claiming equal authority to the written Word. Rejected: Revelation 22:18-19.
Creedal authority over Scripture — creeds summarize Scripture but do not define it; the text defines the creed.
The Mosaic law is unique. Hammurabi's code is similar in form but different in foundation — Hammurabi appeals to himself and the gods; Moses appeals to YHWH's character. The distinction matters: revealed law vs. royal decree.
Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom — all three are Scripture expositors. Their authority derived from their exegesis of the text, not from their episcopal office alone.
Scottish Reformer who died defending the authority of Scripture against the Magisterium. The Reformation martyrs died for the TEXT over TRADITION.
The first Protestant martyr of the Scottish Reformation. Burned at the stake for Reformation theology grounded in Scripture alone.
See all artifacts in the Doctrinal Evidence collection.