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?

[Elsie]

HMMMmmm...

I know what I Know! And if I were you, I wouldn’t dismiss me so quickly.

[Elsie]

These open threads appear to be a challenge to your temper.

 

 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

We know what we know!!!

[Elsie]

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

Ha!

You are NOT Catholic!

You never said one thing about

M-ry!!!

[Elsie]

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.

I have to give you one thing:

Zeal!!!

[Elsie]

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4XT-l-_3y0

[Elsie]

I’ll take Petrine authority over yours,

How do you feel about Augustine's authority?

[Elsie]

I must seek confession which will tame my heart.

Hie thee to a nunnery; post haste!!

[Elsie]

We pray the Rosary, joining our tears with the Blesses Virgin Mary, that no soul be cast into hell.

Sorry; but her tears dried up long ago; way before her body turned to dust...

[Elsie]

Do you not pray for those who do not have a clue?

Just what is the reason, that your church has taught you, for Mary and Joseph to have NEVER consummated their marriage?

[Elsie]

Catholics were Christians long before Luther and Henry the Vlll.

And they went to church in those seven locations listed by John in Revelation 2-3.

They were teaching error.

How is it even POSSIBLE that Catholic churches SO young could be so much in ERROR that GOD threatened them?

[metmom]

Mary can’t save anyone.

You’re wasting your time.

Try praying to God instead as Jesus commanded us.

[CynicalBear]

>>Before Scripture, there was the Church.<<

I can't believe you even typed that let alone sent it.

[CynicalBear]

We are not the ones who do the calling or the drawing to Christ. We have no control over that. The carnal human attempts to attract "members" like a country club or private bar is what got the "churches" into the sad shape they are in today. It's not we who instil the desire to please God. Christ said there will be many who come to Him bragging that they did good deeds in His name and followed "all the laws" and He said He never knew them. Outward actions without an inward change of heart means nothing to Christ.

We can preach "obedience" to laws and "good deeds" all we want but that is not what Christ desires first and foremost. It's the Holy Spirit who instils the desire to please God AFTER a faith in Christ as their redeemer and only hope that produces the good deeds and actions pleasing to God.

Our responsibility is to preach the gospel. God will open the eyes and ears of those He is calling. Those who oppose or corrupt His word are warned over and over in scripture about what will happen.

[LearsFool]

Paul introduces Abraham into the discussion to illustrate the point he’s been arguing. And what is his point? Back up and try to follow him. His point is that righteousness is accounted on the basis of faith and not works of law.

We’ve already seen that this “law” includes more than the Law of Moses. We saw that when he proved that Gentiles, who weren’t under the Law of Moses, are guilty nevertheless.

Surely you don’t think Abraham was guiltless because he wasn’t under the Law of Moses...Do you?? Abraham was guilty. If he was to be acquitted, it would have to be on basis other than his works, because his works could only condemn him. But as the Scripture says, he was justified by his faith, not works. So it’s of grace, not debt.

No, Paul doesn’t change gears for a couple of verses and start talking about earning a living. He’s made his point about what works of law can’t do (they can’t justify us because we’re guilty and therefore unjustifiable) so he presses on with his explanation of the only way a sinner can be justified.

Perhaps your misunderstanding arises because you begin in chapter 4 instead of chapter 1. Back up and follow Paul’s train of thought, and I think you’ll be able to understand his “works”.

[LearsFool]

Funny! But not very helpful. :-)

[xone]

Again,that’s your loss!

Ignoring extra-Biblical prophecy is a gain, not a loss. By paying attention to the Catholic prophecies, you missed your church teaching where you worship the same god as the Muslims.

[CynicalBear]

Good luck standing with those boasting about what they did when Jesus says “I never knew you”.

[xone]

The site was http://www.catholicprophecy.net/about.html

[xone]

Yeah, but he does not have the power over me that he had before I became a child of The God. I can resist him, and put him to shame.

True.