One Bible, Many Confessions: The Failure of Sola Scriptura to Unite Doctrine
The post presents a systematic comparison of doctrinal disagreements among major Protestant traditions, arguing that the principle of Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) cannot produce a unified confession. The author structures the argument in eight sections. First, infant baptism: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Methodists affirm it; Baptists and Pentecostals deny it, both appealing to Scripture.
Second, the Eucharist: Lutherans affirm Christ's true body and blood; Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, and Methodists reject bodily presence, yet all cite "This is My body" (Matthew 26:26). Third, predestination: Calvinists defend unconditional election; Methodists, Arminians, Baptists, and Lutherans hold conditional election, both sides appealing to Romans 9 and Ephesians 1. Fourth, eternal security: Calvinists and Baptists say salvation cannot be lost; Methodists, Lutherans, Free Will Baptists, and Arminians say genuine believers can fall away.
Fifth, church government: Anglicans require historic episcopacy; Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and Methodists reject a distinct episcopal order. Sixth, speaking in tongues: Assemblies of God require tongues as initial evidence of Spirit baptism; Charismatics, Cessationists, Baptists, and Lutherans deny this. Seventh, a summary table adds women's ordination: Methodists affirm, Baptists deny.
The author contends these are not mere preferences but contradictory confessions on essential doctrines. Since each tradition claims biblical authority, the post asks what universally binding authority can resolve the contradictions if Scripture alone is final. It concludes with Ephesians 4:5: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism," asserting that Sola Scriptura has failed to produce a universally united Protestant confession.
Main points
- The post catalogues seven doctrinal areas where Protestant confessions contradict one another while each appeals to Scripture alone.
- Infant baptism, the Eucharist, predestination, eternal security, church government, speaking in tongues, and women's ordination are shown with opposing denominational positions.
- In each case, both sides cite the same biblical passages to support mutually exclusive conclusions.
- The author argues that without a common, binding interpretive authority, Sola Scriptura cannot settle doctrine.
- The post concludes with Ephesians 4:5, asserting that Christ established one Church, not a marketplace of competing confessions.