PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH
By David J. Riggs
Catholics sometimes quote 1 Tim. 3:15 which states, "...The church of the living God, the pillar
and mainstay of the truth" to prove that the church is invested with authority to legislate in divine
matters. (See Father Smith Instructs Jackson, p. 35; The Question Box, p. 96). The phrase
"pillar and ground of truth" does not mean that the church is the originator of truth, or that it can
make or change the laws of God. It simply means that it is the upholder, defender and proclaimer
of the truth. The apostles often praised churches for proclaiming the truth, "for from you the
word of the Lord has been spread abroad" (1 Thess. 1:8). They commended them for defending
the truth, "partakers with me...in the defense and confirmation of the gospel" (Phil. 1:7).
However, there is not a single verse in all of the holy Scriptures which indicates that the church
has the authority to originate truth or to decree laws for God.
The apostles and prophets and they alone were commissioned by the Lord, not to originate
truth--"For ever, O Lord, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens" (Psalm 119:98 Catholic Edition
RSV)--but to reveal the truth. Their task was once and for all completed for they gave us the
written New Testament of Christ. The responsibility of he church today is simply to follow,
defend and proclaim the truth which they revealed. The Catechism for Adults, page 54 says,
"The Catholic Church alone has the authority to rule and to teach." However, the authority is not
in the body, but in the Head (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). The ruling is not in the kingdom, but in
the King (Heb. 7:1-2; Rev. 1:5-6). The authority is not in the church, but in Christ (Matt. 28:18;
1 Pet. 3:22). The church is not the Savior, but simply the body of the saved (Acts 2:46; Eph.
5:22-24)