Scripture is the sole standard?

Whenever you are told that, "Scripture is the sole standard or the sole rule" of faith, the first thing you should do is ask them, "Where does Scripture say it is the sole standard?"

The Catholic Church holds up at least three standards or rules of faith.  The Scriptures are one of them. Tradition and Magisterium (i.e. Teaching) are the other two.

Of the three, Tradition is the one from which the other two proceed.  You might say that Tradition is analogous to God the Father, in the Blessed Trinity.  The Son and the Spirit proceed from the Father.  In the same way, Magisterium and Scripture proceed from Tradition.

The Magisterium or Teaching Church, was proceeded from Tradition first, when Jesus said to the Apostles, "Go out into the world and teach them all I have commanded you (Matt 28:19-20)".  Jesus Himself, the Teacher, had already taught the Apostles all His Doctrines.  Now it was their task to take over the job of Teacher.

In obedience to that command, which is called the Great Commission, the Teaching Church wrote the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:20-21

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

So, as you can see, first the holy men spoke or taught the prophecies and then they wrote them.  Verse 20 above says, Scripture did not come from me personally, and 21 says, it came from the Holy Ghost which inspired us first to speak.

Bottomline:  Scripture says that we have two other standards.  The Magisterium and Tradition:

2 Thessalonians 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

In this verse, the Magisterium, in the shape of St. Paul, is speaking.  And he is telling us to hold all the Traditions which they have given us by word or by page.

Sincerely,

De Maria