According to Rome, only the church, i.e., the pope and bishops, are vested with the authority to interpret Scripture. For centuries, Rome denied the laity direct access to the Bible. In modern times, while granting the words of Scripture to the masses, Rome still monopolizes the meaning. More than four hundred years ago, William Whitaker addressed this abuse in his Disputations on the Holy Scriptures. Among the arguments he addressed was the claim that the church fathers favored the papist dogma on the issue. Against their use of Augustine, Whitaker wrote:
Augustine is next objected to us, who, in his first book against Cresconius the grammarian, cap. 33, says, “Let him who fears he may be deceived, consult the church.” I answer: This we allow, but under the condition which Augustine subjoins; namely, that that church is to be consulted “which the scripture points out.” For otherwise than by the scriptures it cannot certainly be known which is the true church. We say that the church should be consulted in every cause which concerns faith, and that the church ought to consult the scriptures. And truly they are justly deceived who do not consult the church, and obey her pious counsels and admonitions. But, although pious doctors are to be sought for and inquired of, and all proud and perilous temptations to be avoided, as Augustine hath reminded us in the Prologue to his books of Christian Doctrine; yet we should consider both what they answer, and how truly, lest our faith should rest upon human teaching rather than upon divine testimony. That is not really faith, which is founded upon the authority of men; and upon such authority is founded whatever depends not on the word and voice of God. —William Whitaker, Disputations on the Holy Scriptures (Soli Deo Gloria, 2005), 442.
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