The Catholic Apologetic for Scripture

While professing to believe in the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible, the Church of Rome claims that acceptance of that authority is dependent on the testimony of the Church. That is, her church. They enjoy quoting the words of Augustine: "I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me." Of course, they hide the fact that "catholic" is merely the Greek word for "universal.' It is circular reasoning to equate Augustine's use of the word with the Roman organization.

However, let us consider the logic of Rome's assertions. By doing so, I think we will conclude not only that her assertion is false, but that it is also destructive to real biblical faith.

First, it makes the basis of authority to be an organization, lodged in the hierarchy of Rome. They explicitly state this. They claim that the Bible even teaches this: "The church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth" (I Timothy 3:15). This is both begging the question, equating "church" in this verse with Rome's organization, and cherry-picking, ignoring another applicable verse: "[The Church is] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20). Not only does the Scripture not make the Roman hierarchy the foundation of Scripture, but it, instead, makes the writings of the Apostles (the New Testament) and the prophets (the Old Testament) the foundation of the Church, the twofold witness of Christ, the real head of the Church, exactly the opposite of the claims of Rome.

Second, the implication of Rome's doctrine is that God can preserve the testimony of the church, but not of His own word. What does that say about the power of God? It is also contrary to the explicit statement of Scripture: "You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word" (Psalm 138:2). God prizes His name first, and His word second, over anything else.

And third, we have the testimony of the creation to her Creator: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:1-4). If even nature gives a testimony to God, such that it leaves no man with excuse (Romans 1:18ff), how much more must that be the case in His word!