Clarity of Scripture

The Protestant doctrine of the Clarity of Scripture (also referred to as the Perspecuity of Scripture) posits that all things that are necessary for salvation are clearly understood by the educated as well as the uneducated.  It states that the Holy Spirit gives everybody an equal understanding about matters concerning salvation.

As Catholics, we understand that there are many things in Scripture that are indeed clear and straightforward.  However, like the Ethiopian eunuch on Acts 8:26-39, we understand that not all aspects of Scripture are as easily understood as others – or by all people. In the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, the Apostle Philip met him on the road from Jerusalem.  The eunuch was reading the Scriptures and Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading.  He told Philip, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” (Acts 8:31).

The story of the eunuch is the inspired Word of God – and we are explicitly told in that story that not everybody understands all of Scripture equally.  The Church is the guardian of the Holy Deposit of the Faith (2 Tim. 1:14).  According to the Catechism, Scripture must be read “within the living tradition of the whole Church.” Unfortunately, too many people over the centuries have read it with the intentions of starting their own “church”.

As St. Peter tells us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God” (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

The main flaw of the doctrine of Perspecuity of Scripture is evident in the almost 50,000 disjointed and perpetually-splintering Protestant denominations that exist today.  If Scripture is so clear that anybody can understand it, then why are there so many denominations - ALL claiming to have the “truth”. 

The catechism tells us: 134 All Sacred Scripture is but one book, and this one book is Christ, "because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ"

In short, the Bible is a Catholic Book – written FOR Catholics BY Catholics.  It is not something that is to be personally dissected and individually interpreted.  Because it is a Church book – it takes Christ’s Church to interpret it.

St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest thinkers the Church has ever produce wisely stated, “I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me.”