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]

If that’s all you believe, then I feel sorry for you. The richness of Catholicism is beyond human understanding.

[avenir]

“Definitely not what St. Paul meant.”

Perhaps this might clear up any confusion:

“For by grace you are saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves, for it is the GIFT of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man may glory.” Eph. 2:8-9

[xone]

How putrid in your stubbornness.

Spoken like someone who knows nothing their faith teaches. Pitiful and pitiable at the same time. You won't even read your catechism to find out what you 'really believe' when you claim to be Catholic. "Never figgered you for a coward."

[Old Yeller]

If that’s all you believe, then I feel sorry for you. The richness of Catholicism is beyond human understanding.

And most Catholics don't. They just go through the motions because the Roman church tells them to.

[Mark17]

Great Christ-like behavior you are modeling!

Roger that GC. Remember, they had mouthed Him first. 😇

[Old Yeller]

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.

You can break free of those chains. A lot of us Freepers have.

[CynicalBear]

You show no proof from scripture for your answers. Are they just your opinions?

[avenir]

That's one very confused paragraph...

"The gospel is not a religion of works, but a religions of faith."

Okay, that reminds me of this:

"This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of FAITH?"—Galatians 3:2

Wherefore the confusion?

[CynicalBear]

>>Cafeteria Catholics. The rebellious ones who were always looking for an excuse to leave.<<

So the "remnant" of Catholics are going to flee because of the "Cafeteria Catholics"? Is this told in some fairy tale book somewhere or what is you documentation as evidence of this belief you have? I have seen no reason to believe that as you say "I know what I Know!". So far all I have seen is you statements of opinion with no documentation or evidence. What's up with that?

[Mark17]

I wouldn't add to it. Catholic church prophecies, sounds like the Mormons.

If you think these are bad, try having an intelligent discussion with a member of the INC. Now that sir, is an exercise in futility.

[ealgeone]

If that’s all you believe, then I feel sorry for you. The richness of Catholicism is beyond human understanding.

I was just posting to show what people need to believe to become a Christian. You were talking about a "catholic" god which I've never seen reference to in the Word.

Is there other excellent stuff in the Bible I believe in? You betcha!

But just so we keep things in context....

From your post 108

YOU: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

ME: 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.

[ealgeone]

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.

That would be so very true of catholicsm....redefine words until they fit the needed meaning!

[xone]

member of the INC

I'm not familiar with the acronym.

[Steelfish]

Do we have to go back to superficial internet theology. This stuff you write has been gone over and over again by theologians of every Christian stripe.

At the end of the day we revert to the fundamental question: Who’s interpretation must we take? I’ll take Petrine authority over yours, mine, or any of the corner street foursquare church pastors, as have a galaxy of theologians, the early Church fathers, a constellation of converts to Catholicism, and of course the saints, martyrs, and stigmatists of the Church.

[billys kid]

Yeah! Cool google KNOWS!

[xone]

You are ‘seeming’ now, what happen to Knowing what I know?

Still, the catechism calls them Muslims. No conversion there. If you are Catholic, you must believe your god and the Muslim god are one. Else yur jes one of them cafeteria Catholics, the kind that runs away. You have no other option. You have no right to dispute what your betters have said in the Catechism.

[LearsFool]

Not so fast. I answered your questions, now you need to answer mine.

[xone]

It was a Catholic site. Run by Catholics. They were all in, I called it ‘pap’.

[billys kid]

Unbelievable! Do you honestly believe that there is no redemption in the suffering of a person who may be experiencing the agony of cancer?
How SAD!