(Church Latin for 'scripture first<nowiki/>') is a Christian theological doctrine historically held by Anglicans, and reflected in some United Methodist liturgical thought. It posits that Scripture is the primary authority, but that its interpretation may involve other authorities. It also treats revelation and reason as related gifts from God, since written revelation must be interpreted through the use of reason.
Contrast with sola scriptura
Prima scriptura is sometimes contrasted to sola scriptura, which literally translates "by the scripture alone". The former doctrine as understood by many Protestants—particularly Evangelicals—is that the Scriptures are the sole infallible rule of faith and practice, but that the Scriptures' meaning can be mediated through many kinds of secondary authority, such as the ordinary teaching offices of the Church, antiquity, the councils of the Christian Church, reason, and experience.
However, sola scriptura rejects any original infallible authority other than the Bible.