The Roman Catholic claim, “We know Scripture is God’s Word because the Church tells us so” Is this true? 

(Highlights extracted from Frances Turretin - Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a prominent Genevan-Italian Reformed theologian and professor )

This is not true.  Jesus said in John 17:17 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Scripture’s Authority Comes from God Alone

The authority of Holy Scripture comes only from God, its author.
Just as God Himself is truth, His Word carries His authority by its very nature.

The Bible does not become God’s Word because the Church approves it.
Rather, the Church believes the Bible because it is already God’s Word.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Church Does Not Give Scripture Its Authority

The Roman Catholic claim is this:
We know Scripture is God’s Word because the Church tells us so.

Turretin firmly rejects this.

The Church is not the master of Scripture, but its servant.
The Church did not create the Word; the Word created the Church.

“The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” (Ephesians 2:20)

A foundation supports the house, the house does not support the foundation.

The Church Is a Witness, Not a Judge

The Church may testify to Scripture, just as a witness testifies that the sun is shining.

But the witness does not make the sun bright. The sun shines by its own light.

So also, Scripture proves itself to be from God by its own divine marks:

• its heavenly majesty

• its perfect truth

• its power to convict and convert

• its harmony in doctrine

• its holiness and purity

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7)

How We Personally Become Certain of Scripture

Though Scripture is authoritative in itself, we become fully persuaded of this truth by the Holy Spirit.

The same Spirit who inspired the Word  opens our hearts to recognize it.

“My sheep hear my voice.” (John 10:27)
“The Spirit himself bears witness.” (Romans 8:16)

This inner witness does not replace Scripture— it confirms what Scripture already is.

Summary (Simple and Clear)

• Scripture has authority from God alone

• The Church does not give Scripture its authority

• The Church only recognizes and testifies to that authority

• Believers are convinced of Scripture’s truth by the Holy Spirit

• To make Scripture depend on the Church is to place man above God

Final Word (Against the Roman Catholic teachings on this matter)

If Scripture depends on the Church,  then God’s Word depends on man.

The Church did not give birth to the Scriptures;the Scriptures gave birth to the Church. The Church stands upon the Word, not the Word upon the Church.

To say that Scripture is God’s Word because the Church declares it so
is to place the servant upon the throne and make the Master depend on His own household. The Church is a witness to Scripture, not its judge. She points to the light. To make the Church judge over Scripture is to crown flesh with divine honors and rob God of His glory.

“Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

O soul, submit to the Word of God.  Do not ask whether men approve it, but whether God has spoken in it. Bow where heaven speaks. Tremble where God commands.  Rejoice where Christ is revealed.