Daniel Dunivan said (way back on page 2 of this thread):
I agree that often, in practice, our reason trumps revelation. Often we may come to conclusions about the scripture that are not accurate because we prefer our logic to what God has said. None of us can claim to understand the scriptures fully. Still, the idea the God's revelation is perfect (though not comprehensive; i.e. not a revelation of all that God knows) should ideally guide our thinking. Because we are not perfect, it does not always guide our thinking.
In this sense, sola scriptura is not possible. As an imperfect, fallen, sinful human, I cannot always submit my thinking to God's revelation. In practice, my logic, my point of view, my pre-conceived notions often prevent me from understanding what God says.
However, I believe that God's Word teaches that God's revelation is the source and authority of truth for the Christian. Therefore I endeavor to submit my thinking to it, though the ability to do this is given by the Holy Spirit and is not something that I can attain through my own desire, no matter how noble that desire may be.
Just because we are using reason does not mean that we are exalting reason above the text and thereby making it a greater authority. We use reason because reason is a tool God has given us so that we can understand his revelation. We use reason because it is superior in bringing us to true conclusions than is non-reason or madness. Furthermore, God has given us His Spirit, apart from whom we could not understand revelation, but with whom we are able to come to the truth.The question that I am raising is whether sola scriptura is still possible as we recognize that we are always using our reason to draw out implications of the texts. We are using our reason as the authority by which we interpret scripture whether we take it as literal or figurative.
I agree that often, in practice, our reason trumps revelation. Often we may come to conclusions about the scripture that are not accurate because we prefer our logic to what God has said. None of us can claim to understand the scriptures fully. Still, the idea the God's revelation is perfect (though not comprehensive; i.e. not a revelation of all that God knows) should ideally guide our thinking. Because we are not perfect, it does not always guide our thinking.
In this sense, sola scriptura is not possible. As an imperfect, fallen, sinful human, I cannot always submit my thinking to God's revelation. In practice, my logic, my point of view, my pre-conceived notions often prevent me from understanding what God says.
However, I believe that God's Word teaches that God's revelation is the source and authority of truth for the Christian. Therefore I endeavor to submit my thinking to it, though the ability to do this is given by the Holy Spirit and is not something that I can attain through my own desire, no matter how noble that desire may be.