As someone who isn’t Catholic but has family members who are, I’ve noticed that the Protestant side often takes issue with the Catholic Church. One of the most common criticisms I hear is that “Catholics use the Church as their final authority, while Protestants claim the Bible as theirs.” This back-and-forth is interesting, but after digging into some history, I think it’s important to recognize the deep connection between both groups when it comes to the Bible itself.
Let’s take a step back and look at this historically. The Catholic Church—or at least the framework that became the Catholic Church—played a foundational role in the creation and canonization of the Bible. Whether you agree with their doctrines or not, it’s hard to deny that the scriptures Protestants hold as their final authority were put together by the early Church. So, while some Protestants criticize Catholics for elevating the Church’s authority, they’re still, in a way, tied to that very authority through the Bible they revere.
Historical Foundations of the Catholic Church
To better understand this, let’s briefly outline the timeline of the formation of the Catholic Church. The term “Catholic” was first used by St. Ignatius of Antioch around 110 AD, and by the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the Church had begun to structure itself, with the Bishop of Rome—later the Pope—gaining prominence. By the time Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD, the Church was growing in influence, and with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. By the end of the 4th century, the institutional framework of what we recognize today as the Catholic Church was largely in place.
The New Testament Canon:
Now, turning to the Bible itself—specifically, the New Testament—it didn’t just fall from the sky as a completed book. The process of canonizing the Bible took centuries and involved key Church figures and councils. Around 180 AD, Irenaeus proposed a list of writings that helped shape early Christian belief, including the four Gospels and many of Paul’s letters. By the 4th century, figures like Athanasius and councils like those of Hippo and Carthage were pivotal in finalizing the 27 books of the New Testament—books accepted by both Protestants and Catholics today.
Here’s the key point: the Catholic Church, or at least the early structure of it, played a decisive role in this process. So, when Protestants claim that scripture alone is their final authority, they are still relying on a New Testament canon that was shaped and created by the early Church. This doesn’t negate the belief in the Bible as divinely inspired, but it does show that the process of determining which books were considered divinely inspired came through the Church.
Protestant and Catholic Divide on Authority
Here’s where the conversation often gets contested. Some Protestants argue that because they don’t recognize the authority of the Catholic Church in matters of doctrine, they are more “pure” in their reliance on scripture. However, this overlooks the fact that the scripture they rely on was canonized by the very Church they reject. It seems inconsistent to claim the Bible as the final authority while ignoring the role of the early Church in determining what was considered scripture.
In debates, Protestants often use the argument that the Holy Spirit guided the Church in the formation of the Bible. That’s certainly a valid belief, but we have to acknowledge the human side of this process. Councils, debates, and early Church leaders played a huge role in deciding what was included in the Bible. And while the Holy Spirit’s guidance is crucial, history shows us that this was a very human-driven process. If we say that only the Holy Spirit determines scripture, then what happens when two people, both claiming to be led by the Spirit, disagree on a text like Revelation (as many in the early Church did)? Who is right?
Luther and the New Testament Canon
Even when it comes to figures like Martin Luther, it’s worth noting that while he questioned certain books of the New Testament (like James and Revelation), he didn’t remove them from the canon. The New Testament that Protestants use today is the same canon that was confirmed by the early Church councils. So, even though Luther had issues with some books, the Protestant Bible retains the New Testament canon as it was shaped by the early framework of the Catholic Church.
The argument that Protestants had their own canon before the Catholic Church is also historically inaccurate. The Council of Trent, often cited as the moment when the Catholic Church “created” its canon, didn’t actually invent anything new. It reaffirmed the long-standing New Testament canon that had been established in the 4th century. So, when Protestants use the New Testament, they are relying on decisions made by early Church councils, well before the Protestant Reformation.
Conclusion: Can Protestants Really Separate from the Catholic Church?
In light of all this, I find it difficult to see how Protestants can completely separate themselves from the Catholic Church when it comes to scripture. The New Testament canon we use today was largely shaped by early Church decisions, and while we may disagree with some parts of Catholic doctrine, we have to acknowledge that the Bible itself was canonized under the guidance of what became the Catholic Church.
In debates about authority, it’s not enough to simply say, “We hold the Bible as our final authority.” We must also recognize the history behind the Bible and the Church’s role in its formation. To deny that is to ignore a critical piece of our own religious heritage.
