Calvin/Luther/Catholicism/ Dr. Anders

Shows some differences in the original Luther and Calvin views and today's evangelicals.

How do we interpret Scripture:
He challenges one to look at the question: "How do you know what the Christian faith is?" Protestant says , the Bible tells me. Well, who told you that that is where you should go to answer this question? Did Jesus tell us the Bible is our rule of faith? No he didn't. Jesus said he was the final authority. He frequently evoked his own authority over the Old Testament--you have heard it was written, but I say to you... And then when he ascended into heaven he gave that interpretive authority to his apostles. He said, I have all authority, you go therefore into all nations and make disciples. Whoever hears you hears me, whoever rejects you rejects me. The very earliest Christians understood that referred to the apostolic succession of Bishops. Saint Ignatius of Antioch quoting the gospel of Luke says we have to hear those who Christ sent,as Christ himself,namely the Bishop.

How do you know what the Christian faith is? You know by looking to the rule of faith that Christ gave us. He gave us the teaching church. The Magisterium of the teaching church to answer that question. All you have to do is ask, Did Jesus tell us the Bible alone? He never says if you have a doctrinal question go to the Bible alone. No, he pointed us to the teaching church. (Paul in 2 Thes 2:15 says hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.) Furthermore, --Not the Bible alone because different groups have different interpretations of Scripture. History shows it is not a sufficient rule of faith. No, you go to the churches founded by Christ which are in apostolic succession.What is the faith that those churches teach and hold?--that is how you know what the Christian faith is. It is only the interpretation of Scripture that lines up with that rule of faith, that is to be accepted.

Ps. I think a clear example about this need for correct interpretation is found in John 5:39 when Jesus is talking to some Jews and he states, "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me that you may have life."
They had misunderstood the Scriptures. Another example is the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading in Isaiah but needed someone to explain it to him. God sent him Philip to teach the meaning of the Scripture.

recommends the books: Early Church Doctrines by Kelly
and the 3 volume work by Jurgens called Faith of the Early Fathers