Correcting an anti-Sola Scriptura straw man

The people who have the biggest problems with the doctrine of Sola Scriptura are generally those who do not understand what it means. To many Catholics, Sola Scriptura is the idea that only the Bible is true, and everything else is either false or useless. An obvious thing to point out would be the fact Sola Scriptura is defended by extra-Biblical sources. This ministry is, of course, not scripture, and yet we defend Sola Scriptura. Clearly, we believe other sources to be useful. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here.

This is just as well, because the Bible also references other sources, some of which have been lost to history (e.g. the Book of Jasher), some of which may still be with us (e.g. Enoch), and even some of which is of secular origins (e.g. Epimenides' saying). Yet, when the Bible refers to these sources, it is not saying they are equal to, or above, the word of God. Just as when I say Mormons have some good doctrines with regard to homosexuality, or Islam is right when it occasionally promotes doing good for the poor, or that Evolutionists are right when they talk about the importance of studying science, I am not saying these religions are worth listening to. Rather, I'm saying a broken clock is right twice a day.

In much the same way, it is entirely possible, and even advisable, for a Christian to hold non-Biblical sources in high regard. It's just that they must never be held in higher regard than the scriptures. Epimenides had a good point about the way Cretes generally were, and so Paul drew on that to effectively say "hey, you don't have to be a stereotype, you can be Godly too." That doesn't mean Epimenides was a literal, God-ordained prophet. If Epimenides said something else that the scriptures disagree with, Epimenides loses.

Opponents of Sola Scriptura typically take the opposite approach. It's not that other sources are valuable, but that they must supersede scripture. If a Council (e.g. Trent) makes a decision, the Council must be obeyed even if the scriptures disagree. A true Christian knows that if the scriptures disagree with a Council, the Council loses just as much as Epimenides. This does not, however, mean that it is not permissible, or even helpful, to borrow from sources that do not conflict with the scriptures.

Sola Scriptura is the doctrine that scripture alone is the inspired and authoritative word of the Living God. It is not that scripture alone is useful, helpful, or valuable. One could think of it as being the difference between reading a book by a highly qualified lawyer and reading the law itself. The lawyer can describe what is in the law, and it may even be wise to listen to him, but even a layman can correct him when he makes an error. This is what the scriptures enable us to do. Not even a legitimate Apostle is above reproach (e.g. Acts 17:11).