The 5 Solas

November 2, 2020 (Monday)

 

October 31, 1517 marks the beginning of what has been called the “Reformation.” Martian Luther wanted to start a discussion about “indulgences.” It widened into a deeper debate about what constitutes authority, how we are saved, and how we are to live our lives. Thus the division between Roman Catholics and Protestants.

 

What makes a “Protestant” different than a “Roman Catholic?” I’m glad you asked. The answer is fairly simple to explain. Protestant Reformers developed what would be known as the “Five Solas” (sola being the Latin word for “alone”).

 

The five essential doctrines of the Protestant Reformation are as follows:

1 - Sola Scriptura, “Scripture Alone.”

2 - Sola Gratia, “Salvation by Grace Alone.”

3 - Sola Fide, “Salvation by Faith Alone.”

4 - Solus Christus, “In Christ Alone.”

5 - Soli Deo Gloria, “For the Glory of God Alone.”

 

Sola Scriptura, “Scripture alone” means a Protestant believes the Bible is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and traditions of the church are measured. This belief relies heavily on the “right and obligation of the individual conscience.” (unknown)

 

Sola Gratia claims “Salvation by grace alone.” Protestants argue that grace is not deserved, earned, or merited. Grace is a gift that can never be repaid. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who brings us to Christ by releasing us from spiritual death caused by sin.

 

Sola Fide claims “Salvation by faith alone.” Protestants insist, we are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by the works of the Law. It is by faith in Christ that His righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God’s perfect standard. Unfortunate many Protestants see “faith” only as a noun, something that is given OR deny/ignore its role in salvation. Their battle cry is “grace alone!” I think “faith” is also a verb; meaning something we do.

 

Solus Christus means “in Christ Alone.” Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone; no one and nothing else can save. The argument is plain, Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross is sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father.

 

Soli Deo Gloria is the motivation for life meaning “for the glory of God alone.” The foundation of this thought is the “sovereignty of God” over every aspect of the believer’s life. All of life is to be lived to the glory of God. The reformers saw all of life to be lived under the Lordship of Christ. Every activity of the Christian is to be sanctified unto the glory of God.

 

It feels like some of the division among various theological views is the need to be “right.” This comes from the “we is us and they is them” mentality. This hard shelled approach is illustrated when Luther rejected one point between his theological stand and Zwingli. The result was an early division among reformers. Zwingli lost the protection of the German Protestants and died in defense of his faith.