5 questions and the 5 solas

The Cripplegate ^ | July 2, 2014 | Jesse Johnson

[RnMomof7]

The Protestant Reformation threw the Christian world into chaos. At the beginning of the 1400’s the Pope’s authority was absolute and the only means of salvation were the sacraments given under his auspices. There was a secular/sacred distinction that was ironclad, meaning that the priests and laity lived in practically two separate worlds. There was no concept of church membership, corporate worship, preaching, or Bible reading in the churches. And as far as doctrine was concerned, there was no debate—the creeds and declarations from Rome (and soon to be Avignon) were the law.

Things had been this way for six hundred years. In a world where life expectancy was in the 30’s, that is essentially the same as saying that the church had been in the dark forever.

But if you fast-forward to the end of the 1500’s, all of that had been turned on its head. The absolute nature of the Pope’s rule and vanished—in large part owing to the Babylonian Captivity of the church (the 40 year period were two rival popes both ruled, and both excommunicated each other—finally to both be deposed by a church council). Church councils themselves had contradicted themselves so many times that their own authority was openly ridiculed. The Holy Roman Empire was no longer relevant, and the political world had simply passed the Pope by. 

Protestants found themselves in the wake of this upheaval, and there was one major question to be answered: what, exactly, was this new kind of Christian? What did a Protestant believe? The reformation had followed similar and simultaneous tracks in multiple countries, yet at the end of it all the content of Protestantism was pretty much the same. On the essentials, German, English, Swiss, and Dutch Protestants all stood for the same theology. But what was it?

It was easy to understand the beliefs of Catholicism—all one had to do was look at their creeds and the declarations from their councils. But Protestants were so named precisely because they were opposed to all that. So what council would give them their beliefs then?

This is where the five solas came from. These were five statements about the content of the Protestant gospel, and by the end of the 1500’s, these were the terms which identified Protestantism. These five phrases are not an extensive statement on theology, but instead served simply as a way to explain what the content of the gospel was to which Protestants held.

Sola Fide—Faith alone

Solus Christus—Christ alone

Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone

Sola Gratia—Grace alone

Soli Deo Gloria—God’s glory alone

These five solas still live on to this very day. They define what the gospel is for evangelicals worldwide, and also provide a helpful summary—a cheat sheet even—of what marks the true gospel from a religion of works. But historically, these five solas make the most sense when viewed from the perspective of answering the question: what do Protestants believe? In fact, each one of these five is an answer to a particular question:

What must I do to be saved? Sola Fide

The gospel is not a religion of works, but a religions of faith. You can’t do anything to be saved—rather, God saves you on the basis of your faith, which is itself on the basis of the work of Christ on your behalf. Protestants believe that you don’t work for your salvation, and that nobody is good enough to deserve salvation. But thankfully salvation does not come on the basis of works but instead on the basis of faith.

Sola fide declares that In addition to faith, you can do absolutely nothing in order to be saved.

What must I trust? Solus Christus

In a world with deposed Popes in the unemployment line, this question has profound importance. Keep in mind that for six hundred years, nearly every European would have answered that question by pointing at the sacraments. You trust them for your salvation. Perhaps some would point you to the church, the priest, of even to Jesus himself. But only a Protestant would say “trust Jesus alone.”

Solus Christus is a simple declaration that salvation is not dispensed through Rome, priests, or sacraments. There is no sense in putting hope in extreme unction, purgatory, or an indulgence. Instead it comes through Jesus alone.

What must I obey? Sola Scriptura

When the Council of Constance deposed both Popes, this question took on a sense of urgency. If a council is greater than a Pope, then does one have to obey the Pope at all, or is it better to simply submit yourself to the church as a whole? Are believers compelled to obey priests in matters of faith?

Sola Scriptura says “no.” In matters of faith, believers are compelled by no other authority than that of Scripture. There is no room for a mixture of history and tradition—those cannot restrain the flesh and they cannot bind the conscience. Instead, believers’ only ultimate authority is the Bible.

What must I earn? Sola Gratia

Is there any sense in which a person must earn salvation? For the Protestant, the answer is obvious: NO! Salvation is of grace…ALONE. It is not by work or merit. God didn’t look down the tunnel of time and see how you were going to responded to the gospel, then rewind the tape and choose you. He does not save you in light of what you did, are doing, or will do in the future. Instead, his salvation is based entirely upon his grace.

What is the point? Soli Deo Gloria

What is the point of the Reformation? Why are these doctrinal differences worth dividing over? Because people were made for one reason, and one reason alone: to glorify God. God is glorified in his creation, in his children, in the gospel, and most particularly in his son. The highest calling on a persons’ life (indeed, the only real calling in a person’s life) is that he would glorify God in all he does. Nevertheless, we always fail to do that. Yet God saves us anyway through the gospel.

Soli Deo Gloria is a reminder that by twisting the gospel or by adding works to the gospel, a person is actually missing the glory that comes through a gospel of grace and faith, through Jesus, and described by Scripture. The first four questions really function like tributaries, and they all flow to this body—God’s glory.

Do you think these five solas retain their importance today, five hundred years later? Are they still adequate for describing the gospel of Grace?

[billys kid]

o’ xone, I come! I come fully armed. That with the Cross of Christ and the chains of the Rosary which will force satan into the fires of hell and bind him until the time of our Lord.

[xone]

chains of the Rosary which will force satan into the fires of hell and bind him until the time of our Lord.

So you don't think Satan is at work in the world? He has been defeated, but he is still out their doing his thing.

[billys kid]

Perhaps I am. At least I know more than you do in the prophecies of the Catholic Church.
BTW! All prophecy calls for Mercy and Love for those who do not understand.

[PeterPrinciple]

How about:

Faith = Salvation + works

or

Faith + works = Salvation

[LearsFool]

Depends on what you mean by “works”. Cuz there’s works, and then there’s works. :-)

The term is used to mean different things in the Bible. Until we can determine what a speaker/writer means by it, we can’t understand what he’s saying.

[xone]

At least I know more than you do in the prophecies of the Catholic Church.

Catholic prophecy, yep you'd know more about that than me, I limit my prophecy to the prophecy contained in the Bible, I wouldn't add to it. Catholic church prophecies, sounds like the Mormons.

[imardmd1]

Nice little explanation, reasonable to a child with an open mind.

On the following:

Which law? Moral law or Mosaic law?

One should highlight the fact that The first ten commands are of a moral assessment of conduct, but the remainder of some (613?) are religious and ceremonial. We observe the first ten because we know by them what does and does not please God, and His Holy Spirit whom we seek to obey as a bond-slave of The Lord and Messiah Jesus.

(I know you are well aware of this, but we should include the clarification for the sake of the unlearned or contentious reader.)

[ealgeone]

I serve the Catholic God. I serve the the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, I serve the Holy Spirit. I serve the One Holy and Apostolic Church. I believe in the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting

Not sure who the Catholic God is....however....

Christians serve the God of Heaven and have faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus, for the complete forgiveness of all of their sins...past, present and future. The Holy Spirit has sealed the believer and indwells in the believer as the Helper.

[CynicalBear]

>>The term is used to mean different things in the Bible. Until we can determine what a speaker/writer means by it, we can’t understand what he’s saying.<<

Oh come now. Catholics have it all figured out. They say that ἔργον - ergon in James 2:14 means something different then the ἔργον - ergon in Romans 4:4 and that means something different then the ἔργον - ergon in Romans 4:5. But the ἔργον - ergon in all of those means something different then the ἔργον - ergon in Romans 2:20.

[metmom]

She was opposed to the premise in the Protestant belief that if you were not healed by Jesus from whatever ailment it was because of your unworthiness or some failure on your part that did not deserve healing.

Oh? That's a "Protestant" belief? Pray tell, show us the doctrinal statement of whatever church advocates that.

What she announced to the Protestant was that there was in fact Redemption in their suffering.

Merely her opinion unless you can show us from Scripture that suffering is redemptive.

[CynicalBear]

>>We observe the first ten because we know by them what does and does not please God, and His Holy Spirit whom we seek to obey as a bond-slave of The Lord and Messiah Jesus.<<

Agreed, however I think there is enough guilt both within an individual and from outsiders that we need not add burden to it. I also believe that a saved person who is growing in their faith with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will follow the urgings of Him. As the apostles in Acts 15 I will restrict the restrictions.

[metmom]

I do however enjoy the occasional potty talk.

Which is evidence of an unregenerate heart.

No Spiritually reborn person would take pleasure in sinning and grieving the Holy Spirit.

[metmom]

No man can serve two masters.

If someone serves the RCC, he cannot be serving God at the same time.

[Mark17]

I am thankful that we have very smart Protestants on here who see through their propaganda. Thank you.

Correct mama. Discussing brain surgery is FAR more difficult than discussing the SIMPLE plan of Salvation. Do you think maybe it is pride, that makes people want to complicate the simplicity of the gospel, and try to "help" God save people from Hell? People who try to work their way to Heaven, might find themselves in a gigantic jam on that day. You are right about one thing, it is pure propaganda, and it ain't going to cut the mustard.

[billys kid]

I didn’t say that. It seems to me we as Church have a way to go. The Church will become poor as in the days of the Apostles. We will be the remnant of of the True followers of Christ. Most will flee as they already have because of the disgusting behavior of those disgusting Judases who betrayed the Body of Christ.
We will then see the Bishop’s and perhaps the Pope himself who will push an agenda that is far too close to the ways of the world.
If that happens then you will witness God Himself intervening in the Church.
God will not allow the Church, The Body of Christ with Him as its Head be subjected to the world.
Or better yet, the Church is the Bride of Christ. As Pope Benedict explained.
That which was true and beautiful has become tattered and stained. Her only remedy is Christ Himself, purifying her in the fires of the Holy Spirit, which will purify her in the depth of his love.
The Church will once again become poor. The Church will only have the remnant who will remain faithful to her. I’m not afraid of this.

[metmom]

That with the Cross of Christ and the chains of the Rosary which will force satan into the fires of hell and bind him until the time of our Lord.

And true Christians are armed with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

[xone]

Not sure who the Catholic God is.

According to the Catholic catechism, it is the same god the Muslims worship. Go figger. Kinda explains Pope Francis a bit.

[LearsFool]

Would you say that the “erga/ergon” of John 6:28-29 is the same as the “erga” of Galatians 5:19-21?

[CynicalBear]

>>Most will flee as they already have because of the disgusting behavior of those disgusting Judases who betrayed the Body of Christ.<<

And who are they pray tell.

[xone]

In response to my point that you came to the conversation unarmed, so to speak you said o’ xone, I come! I come fully armed. That with the Cross of Christ and the chains of the Rosary which will force satan into the fires of hell and bind him until the time of our Lord. Now the 'chains of the Rosary work', or they don't. As the world is it is obvious they haven't worked. The Cross and the resurrection have defeated Satan but he remains until God gets rid of him at last.

As for papal agendas, he already claims to speak like God, adds requirements to salvation. Catholics are already there.