Sola Scriptura

I just finished a book called How To Study the Bible; it is a very, very simple title compared to the content of the book. In it it talks about the term "Sola Scriptura" first developed during the Protestant Reformation. "Sola Scriptura" is a latin term which interprets to "the Bible alone" in English. Being that I love to read and study, I have a great appreciation for such beliefs.

However, there is a problem to this viewpoint. If taken out of context in any way, shape, or form a verse could be seriously misunderstood. In example take this little phrase. Each time you read this put emphasis on the word that is bold.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"

If you put the correct emphasis on the the words in the sentences above, then each sentence has a completely different meaning. And your just gonna have to ignore the bold text for the rest of the blog because I can't get the font to go unbold.

This is why you can't always just depend upon the Bible to get the correct context through and through. Sometimes you need to look at the historical value of different words and different meanings of Hebrew and Greek words. Unless your a walking history book and culture guru you might need a reference book to go along with your studies.

Therefore, I strongly believe you can't depend upon the writings of popular authors for your full Bible experience, but you also have to sometimes get information that isn't easy to remember.