Guilt by Association, Sola Scriptura, and Rejection of Divine Embodiment

Critics of the Church, including this intellectually dishonest individual, love to engage in “guilty by association.” So for Protestant critics of the Church, I want to know if you agree with the following statements about (1) the formal sufficiency of the Bible and (2) God not having a body and being only a Spirit:

 

. . . the words of God are written only in the Bible . . . only the Bible should be used as the basis in serving God . . . [the Church] adheres to the belief that the words of God are written only in the Bible. The Bible should be the only basis for our services to God: this is the truth which will teach man how to be saved from punishment on Judgment Day. [1]

 

Q. What makes the Holy Scriptures unique and above all the other books used by other religions?

 

A. The Bible is inspired by God . . .II Tim. 3:16-17

instruction: Thus, when the teachings written in the Bible are taught to us, we should believe that these are God's words, His will for us to obey.[2]

 

About the Bible. [we believe] that the words of God are written only in the Bible. Thus, the Bible should be the sole basis of serving to God: in it is the truth which teaches man how to be saved from punishment on the Day of Judgment.

 

Therefore, renounce all belief in Catechism books, the Book of Mormon, and all other books by other religions, because God prohibits such (I Cor. 4:6: Rev. 22:18-19)

 

Follow steadfastly and faithfully all teachings from the Bible . . . [3]

 

Q. What is the nature of the true God who should be worshipped according to Christ?

 

A. Spirit . . . Jn. 4:24

 

Q. What does it mean God is a spirit?

 

A. Without flesh and bones

(no material form) . . . Lk. 24:39

 

Conclusion: Therefore, the true God cannot be represented by a picture, or graven image because He is a spirit, without flesh and bones. [4]

 

I am sure many will “Amen” the following. However, they come from the Iglesia Ni Cristo, namely their manual, Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, so you now agree with proponents of a Socinian Christology and other things you believe to be blasphemous.

 

The takeaway from this? “Guilt by association” is fallacious and should be avoided. While it can be used against Latter-day Saints (thus making it attractive to many Protestants), it also can be used against critics, too.

 

Here are the references to the above quotes (followed by the image of the pages):

 

[1] Eran̄o G. Manalo, Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Series 1989 (2d ed.; Quezon City, Philippines: Iglesia ni Cristo, 1998), 1

 

[2] Ibid., 2

 

[3] Ibid., 146

 

[4] Ibid., 5

 

 

For refutations of the appeals to 2 Tim 3:16-17, Rev 22:18-19, 1 Cor 4:6 on Sola Scriptura, as well as John 4:24 and Luke 24:39 against divine embodiment, see:

Not By Scripture Alone: A Latter-day Saint Refutation of Sola Scriptura

Lynn Wilder vs. Latter-day Saint (and Biblical) Theology on Divine Embodiment