The Five Sola’s of the Reformation
In a postmodern world that totters on truth, I think it’s time we look at the reformers and their Biblical views on doctrine. Oh how we have lost the focus on the all-sufficiency of Scripture, the all-sufficiency of Christ and the true understanding of grace alone and faith alone. Easy-believism and the prosperity gospel have all but thrown a dark covering over the true Gospel.
These theological doctrines allow us to learn more about why we believe what we believe. The most important part of this process is to use what we’ve learned to have a good understanding of Biblical discernment of other texts, religions and most often cults (that openly claim to be Christian) in our world. These reformed views on the five sola’s give us as Christians an excellent grounding and a renewed focus on the all sufficiency of Scripture, the all-sufficiency of our Lord and Savior and a healthy understanding of justification by grace and through faith.
For those who have not heard of the Five Sola’s here is a brief overview….
The Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox established what would be known as the “Five Solas” (sola being the Latin word for alone) of the Reformation. These five points of doctrine were at the heart of the Protestant Reformation, and it was for these five essential Biblical doctrines that the Protestant Reformers would take their stand against the Roman Catholic Church, resisting the demands placed on them to recant of their teaching, even to the point of death.
These five essential doctrines of the Protestant Reformation are:
1-“Sola Scriptura,” or Scripture Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that the Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and doctrines of the church must be measured. As Martin Luther so eloquently stated when asked to recant on his teachings, “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”
2—“Sola Gratia,” Salvation by grace alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is by God’s grace alone and that we are rescued from His wrath by His grace alone. God’s grace in Christ is not merely necessary, but is the sole efficient cause of salvation. This grace is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
3—“Sola Fide,” Salvation by Faith Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. It is by faith in Christ that His righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God’s perfect justice.
4—“Solus Christus,” In Christ Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is found in Christ alone and that His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are all-sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father. The gospel has not been preached if Christ’s substitutionary work is not declared, and faith in Christ and His work is not solicited.
5—“Soli Deo Gloria, For the Glory of God Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is of God, and has been accomplished by God for His glory alone. It affirms that as Christians we must glorify Him always, and must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God, and for His glory alone.
These five important and fundamental doctrines are the reason for the Protestant Reformation. They are at the heart of where the Roman Catholic Church went wrong in its doctrine, and why the Protestant Reformation was necessary to return churches throughout the world to correct doctrine and biblical teaching. They are just as important today in evaluating a church and its teachings as they were then. In many ways, much of Protestant Christianity needs to be challenged to return to these fundamental doctrines of the faith, much like the reformers challenged the Roman Catholic Church to do in the sixteenth century.
As Christians we should take some time to learn the basic theological foundations of our faith to not only grow but to be equipped to share our faith with a clear understanding with those in this world who are so desperately seeking truth.
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