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?

[daniel1212]

It’s the Protestant along with the Muslim-in-chief who sit on their high horses condemning the Catholic Church for so called atrocities that have been committed against the poor Muslims in the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition.

Oh, be assured such was not restricted to the Muslims, but Jews and Christians also were subject to her unScriptural use of the sword of men.

Yet which some RCs here commend, and i have little doubt would support us being burned today by their institution.

You prefer not to look back to the Fathers of the Church but prefer the easy way out which is wide and met with no resistance. I pity you.

Actually what the so-called Fathers of the Church say is not determinative of doctrine, even for Rome, which judges them more than they judge her.

Nor can Rome claim actual “unanimous consent” of the fathers?,

Instead, the veracity of RC doctrine and assurance of Truth for a RC rests upon the novel premise of perpetual magisterial infallibility, which is nowhere in Scripture or promised.

But Rome has presumed to infallibly declare she is and will be perpetually infallible whenever she speaks in accordance with her infallibly defined (scope and subject-based) formula, which renders her declaration that she is infallible, to be infallible, as well as all else she accordingly declares.

Contrary to how the church began.

Thus appeal to history or Scripture is basically superflous in this regard as they can only mean what Rome says they do in any conflict.

[xone]

To be fair CB that’s a different Mother than billy’s kid’s.

[billys kid]

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

[bonfire]

In answer to the question: YES!

[CynicalBear]

Well that’ll teach me to jump in the middle of a conversation.

[daniel1212]

Actually, he proclaimed himself to be the beginning and the end of Scripture

Source please, while do you really think Luther is a pope to use, or even determinative of what we believe, so that we must concur with him? He was actually quite Catholic in many ways we are not.

[daniel1212]

fitting

[xone]

I serve the One Holy and Apostolic Church.

Which I assume you mean the Roman Catholic Church? Sorry BK read it and weep:

841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."330

Catholic Catechism 841

[xone]

You be mixin up the Mothers.

[billys kid]

Isn’t it wonderful that all can use and abuse the actual teachings of the Church Doctors and Fathers?

[CynicalBear]

Sigh - and it ain’t good mixin up the mothers.

[bonfire]

A little off topic but interesting.. Guttenberg’s printing press which brought the Bible to the people led to the need for more spectacles which in turn led to the microscope.

[Gamecock]

^^I serve the Catholic God.^^

Sounds like an Old Testament story that didn't end well.

[xone]

Re: 88. Sorry, now you'll have to rethink the whole I know what I Know!thing. Fact is I don't think you knew that the RCC says they worship the same god as Muslims. With that in mind, why would I think you know anything about what Luther taught?

[CynicalBear]

Serving two mastes (or more) causes problems - Jesus

[MamaB]

I will pray for you since you seem to be one mixed up person.

[xone]

Isn’t it wonderful that all can use and abuse the actual teachings of the Church Doctors and Fathers?

In effect you have no answer to Daniel1212's post. At least not one based on your knowledge to the contrary or the Church's teachings which appear to have passed you by. This keeps up I'm guessing more potty coming?

As I perceive you to be older, I renew my observation that these types of posts are unsuitable for you at this time in your life and considering you have alot to study just to be a typical Catholic polemicist. Please refrain from posting further. I apologize for my earlier harsh tone with you as you came into this battle angry but unarmed. Please forgive me.

[xone]

it ain’t good mixin up the mothers.

Nothing good can come from that!

[billys kid]

Perhaps I am overwrought. I’m one of those simpletons who proclaim. “Away with your words who choose to confuse the simple children of Jesus Christ our Lord. He who is very clear in calling the little ones to follow him. The little children who were forced to reject him in the Middle East. “Deny your Christ and you will live. And they responded, “I cannot deny my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” And they were beheaded, buried alive, Crucified in the presence of their families. Ya! I know, I have nothing but the present to back me up.
And the world is SILENT!!!!!!!

[xone]

I’m one of those simpletons who proclaim.

Then you are in the wrong church. In the words of those martyrs, where do you hear Mary's name or any of the saints that Catholics pray to? Where is the mention of their church? They are Christians dying rather than deny their Savior. They rest with Christ because of their faith, by grace a gift from God.