The Dilemma of Sola Scriptura

A significant challenge for Protestant beliefs arises from the claim that early Church Fathers endorsed Sola Scriptura, especially in the pre-Nicaean period. The argument highlights the absence of citations from early Fathers regarding this doctrine, noting that many Protestant apologists tend to reference the fourth to fifth centuries instead. This lack of witnesses before the Council of Nicaea raises the question of whether the doctrine can truly be traced back to the origins of the Church. Moreover, if early Christians upheld Sola Scriptura, they simultaneously adhered to Catholic teachings including the priesthood, the sacrifice of the mass, and the necessity of bishops, further complicating the Protestant stance.