the five solas
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses (written in
Latin) to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This historical
event was not the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, but was
a means that started discussions and debates about the abuses of
the Roman Catholic Churchs indulgences. After a series of events,
Luthers discussion intensified to a declaration of a defence of the
gospel.
Though none of the Protestant Reformers used the specific formula
the five solas (or solae), these mottos convey the message of the
Protestant Reformation. The five solas are five Latin phrases that
summarise the battle cry of the reformers against the corrupt
teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The five solas are: Sola
Scriptura (Scripture Alone); Sola Gratia (Grace Alone); Sola Fide
(Faith Alone); Solus Christus (Christ Alone); and Soli Deo Gloria
(To God Alone Be Glory). The affirmation of each of these provide
the heart of protestant theology.
Scripture Alone
The two powerful Latin words (Sola Scriptura) reveal that the
Scriptures are sufficient in all spiritual matters. Authority for teaching
and the message of salvation are found in the Scriptures alone. This
was important for the Reformers as they faced the error of the
Roman Catholic Church. These two words continue to be a
significant truth for the church today. The fact that so many appeal
to experience, extra-biblical revelations, mysticism, pragmatism,
tradition or philosophy in-order to claim and know spiritual truth is an
evident attack against the truth of Sola Scriptura. Many seem to
embrace many of the above categories before consulting the
Scriptures or even embrace them above and in place of the
Scriptures. Such trends sweep through the church and distort the
biblical doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. If we are going to
know the truth about salvation and know the necessary spiritual truth
for godliness we must know and protect this affirmation. Why?
Because it is the teaching of Scripture that the Scripture is sufficient
for all spiritual matters (cf. 2 Pet. 1:2). The Scriptures alone are
sufficient for salvation, sanctification and proclamation (2 Timothy
3:14-4:5).
Grace Alone
Despite the effort of many people who try to obtain or maintain
salvation by means of works, the words Sola Gratia destroy such a
belief. They affirm that the only basis of salvation is the grace of
God. The Scriptures are clear on this matter, For by grace you have
been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God (Eph. 2:8). If one is to have a right standing with God, it
cannot be achieved or inherited. Instead, it must be given by grace
(cf. Rom. 3:24). Justification or the righteousness of God is a
gracious gift given by God and there is no basis, ground or merits in
ourselves that makes us deserving of justification. What is grace?
The term grace refers to Gods favour towards those who do not
deserve it.
Faith Alone
Saving faith does not trust in or rely on ones own achievements;
instead, the object of trust and reliance is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Genuine saving faith is the recognition that we have nothing to offer
God in-order to be forgiven of our sin and be saved. Faith is Gods
appointed means in-order for us to receive salvation.
Therefore, faith is coming to God on the grounds of grace having
nothing to offer and trusting and adhering to Christ as Lord. Saving
faith is a gift from God (cf. Phil. 1:29 and 2 Pet. 1:1), and with this
gift we cling to His Son.
Christ Alone
Alone must be placed in Christ alone for salvation. Without faith
toward the Lord Jesus (Philemon 5) there is no hope of salvation
because He alone is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
There is only one saving and sure object of salvation, and that is the
Lord Jesus Christ there is salvation in no one else, for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by which we must be
saved (Acts 4:12). Thomas Watson accurately said, As there was
but one ark to save the world from drowning, so there is but one
Jesus to save sinners from damning (A Body of Divinity, Banner of
Truth Trust, 161). The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour that can
truly save people from their sin and the just judgement of God.
To God Alone Be Glory
At the end of Romans chapter 11, Paul proclaimed, For from him
and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.
Amen (Rom. 11:36). In this verse God is seen as the source (from
Him), sustainer (through Him) and goal (to Him) of all things.
This is why He deserves all the glory. This is the recognition of those
in Heaven, Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and
honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they
existed and were created (Rev. 4:11). Our response to this ought to
be as follows, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). All social activities, work
activities, play, Bible study, relationships, eating, talking every
activity we participate in is to be done to the glory of God. The
Westminster Shorter Catechism opens with the question, What is
the chief end of man? and it answers by saying, Mans chief end is
to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
