...A Concern for the Protestant “Solos”: Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 06-07-18 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Beware the “Soloists” - A Concern for the Protestant “Solos”: Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia

Msgr. Charles Pope • June 7, 2018 •

There are a lot of “solos” sung by our Protestant brethren: sola fide (saved by faith alone), sola Scriptura (Scripture alone is the rule of faith), and sola gratia (grace alone). Generally, one ought to be leery of claims that things work “alone.” Typically, many things work together in harmony; things are interrelated. Very seldom is anyone or anything really “alone.”

The problem with “solos” emerges (it seems to me) in our mind, where it is possible to separate things out; but just because we can separate something out in our mind does not mean that we can do so in reality.

Consider, for a moment, a candle’s flame. In my mind, I can separate the heat of the flame from its light, but I could never put a knife into the flame and put the heat of the flame on one side of it and the light on the other. In reality, the heat and light are inseparable—so together as to be one.

I would like to argue that it is the same with things like faith and works, grace and transformation, Scripture and the Church. We can separate all these things out in our mind, but in reality, they are one. Attempting to separate them from what they belong to leads to grave distortions and to the thing in question no longer being what it is claimed to be. Rather, it becomes an abstraction that exists only on a blackboard or in the mind of a theologian.

Let’s look at the three main “solos” of Protestant theology. I am aware that there are non-Catholic readers of this blog, so please understand that my objections are made with respect. I am also aware that in a short blog I may oversimplify, and thus I welcome additions, clarifications, etc. in the comments section.

Solo 1: Faith alone (sola fide) – For 400 years, Catholics and Protestants have debated the question of faith and works. In this matter, we must each avoid caricaturing the other’s position. Catholics do not and never have taught that we are saved by works. For Heaven’s sake, we baptize infants! We fought off the Pelagians. But neither do Protestants mean by “faith” a purely intellectual acceptance of the existence of God, as many Catholics think that they do.

What concerns us here is the detachment of faith from works that the phrase “faith alone” implies. Let me ask, what is faith without works? Can you point to it? Is it visible? Introduce me to someone who has real faith but no works. I don’t think one can be found. About the only example I can think of is a baptized infant, but that’s a Catholic thing! Most Baptists and Evangelicals who sing the solos reject infant baptism.

Hence it seems that faith alone is something of an abstraction. Faith is something that can only be separated from works in our minds. If faith is a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot enter into that relationship while remaining unchanged. This change affects our behavior, our works. Even in the case of infants, it is possible to argue that they are changed and do have “works”; it’s just that they are not easily observed.

Scripture affirms that faith is never alone, that such a concept is an abstraction. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Faith without works is not faith at all because faith does not exist by itself; it is always present with and causes works through love. Galatians 5:6 says, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. Hence faith works not alone but through love. Further, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:2, if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

Hence faith alone is the null set. True faith is never alone; it bears the fruit of love and the works of holiness. Faith ignites love and works through it. Beware of the solo “faith alone” and ask where faith, all by itself, can be found.

Solo 2: Grace alone (sola gratia) – By its very nature grace changes us. Again, show me grace apart from works. Grace without works is an abstraction. It cannot be found apart from its effects. In our mind it may exist as an idea, but in reality, grace is never alone.

Grace builds on nature and transforms it. It engages the person who responds to its urges and gifts. If grace is real, it will have its effects and cannot be found alone or apart from works. It cannot be found apart from a real flesh-and-blood human who is manifesting its effects.

Solo 3: Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) – Beware those who say, “sola Scriptura!” This is the claim that Scripture alone is the measure of faith and the sole authority for the Christian, that there is no need for a Church and no authority in the Church, that there is only authority in the Scripture.

There are several problems with this.

First, Scripture as we know it (with the full New Testament) was not fully assembled and agreed upon until the 4th century.

It was Catholic bishops, in union with the Pope, who made the decision as to which books belonged in the Bible. The early Christians could not possibly have lived by sola scriptura because the Scriptures were not even fully written in the earliest years. And although collected and largely completed in written form by 100 AD, the set of books and letters that actually made up the New Testament was not agreed upon until the 4th century.

Second, until recently most people could not read.

Given this, it seems strange that God would make, as the sole rule of faith, a book that people had to read on their own. Even today, large numbers of people in the world cannot read well. Hence, Scripture was not necessarily a read text, but rather one that most people heard and experienced in and with the Church through her preaching, liturgy, art, architecture, stained glass, passion plays, and so forth.

Third, and most important, if all you have is a book, then that book needs to be interpreted accurately.

Without a valid and recognized interpreter, the book can serve to divide more than to unite. Is this not the experience of Protestantism, which now has tens of thousands of denominations all claiming to read the same Bible but interpreting it in rather different manners?

The problem is, if no one is Pope then everyone is Pope! Protestant “soloists” claim that anyone, alone with a Bible and the Holy Spirit, can authentically interpret Scripture. Well then, why does the Holy Spirit tell some people that baptism is necessary for salvation and others that it is not necessary? Why does the Holy Spirit tell some that the Eucharist really is Christ’s Body and Blood and others that it is only a symbol? Why does the Holy Spirit say to some Protestants, “Once saved, always saved” and to others, “No”?

So, it seems clear that Scripture is not meant to be alone. Scripture itself says this in 2 Peter 3:16: our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, Our Brother Paul speaking of these things [the Last things] as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Hence Scripture itself warns that it is quite possible to misinterpret Scripture.

Where is the truth to be found? The Scriptures once again answer this: you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15).

Hence Scripture is not to be read alone. It is a document of the Lord through the Church and must be read in the context of the Church and with the Church’s authoritative interpretation and Tradition. As this passage from Timothy says, the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. The Bible is a Church book and thus is not meant to be read apart from the Church that received the authority to publish it from God Himself. Scripture is the most authoritative and precious document of the Church, but it emanates from the Church’s Tradition and must be understood in the light of it.

Thus, the problems of “singing solo” seem to boil down to the fact that if we separate what God has joined we end up with an abstraction, something that exists only in the mind but in reality, cannot be found alone.

Here is a brief video in which Fr. Robert Barron ponders the Protestant point of view that every baptized Christian has the right to authoritatively interpret the Word of God.sss

[taxcontrol]

Solo Ecclesiast or Solo Ecclesia should be added to that list.

I also find “Solo” to be a projection and not reflective of the actual view held. I find “Prima” (primarily or first) is far more often closer to the actual belief system. For example, Solo Scriptura is most often pejoratively described as “scripture only”. However, the views most often expressed are Prima Scriptura, meaning that the first test of doctrine is that it conforms to scripture.

I am also of the opinion that when “Solo” whatever, is used as a pejorative, it is as an internal Christian argument and does little to advance the faith.

[Luircin]

So you’re calling the Apostle Paul a liar then when he says that salvation is by grace through faith and NOT by works, so that no one may boast.

While right above this post, I’ve already addressed works.

Seems you’re the cherry picking one here, completely ignoring the Apostle himself in order to defend your false theology.

[G Larry]

NO!

Mk 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

[G Larry]

Seems you missed this post:

No, I’m calling YOU wrong about Paul’s meaning.
Do you think Paul contradicts Paul?

1 Corinthians 9:27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

[Fantasywriter]

John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

[Faith Presses On]

I wrote two comments about this in detail here, starting with this post:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3661576/posts?page=49#49

But the long and short of it is this question:

When you speak of works in “faith and works,” are you saying then works that are done without faith, outside faith, apart from faith?

In James’ letter, he was speaking correctively because at least some of the Christians he was writing to had adopted the heresy that having faith meant just saying with one’s lips that one has faith. Those people hadn’t truly repented
and believed on Jesus as their Savior.

[MHGinTN]

Is it possible that GOD incited the use of tradition to preserve the Word He wants for us today? ... Think about how the process was undertaken, to decide which letters and Gospels to retain. When the letters and Gospels were read to folks, and they turned to God (see 1 Thess 1), the passages used then became the traditional data for promoting The Gospel of The Grace of God in Christ. In that sense, it is in fact tradition which sorted the passages, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit.

Of course, 'traditions' is used differently by those wishing to give empowerment to the man-made traditions, to an Org as sole possessor of the Truth, like worshipping Mary as a co-redemtrix/mediatrix between man and God, and Purgatory, and priestly absolution, etc.

[Luircin]

You’re the one arguing that Paul contradicts himself, not me.

Grace through faith, not of works. No way around that blatant proclamation. Romans 11 adds that if works are added to salvation, it is no longer by grace.

I believe the entirety of Scripture. If you’d stop trying to read my mind about what I believe, maybe I could even explain.

[Faith Presses On]

“In Scripture (Ephesians 2, among others) we are judged by our works, but our works are proof of faith and grace. In the same way that we know that water is boiling because the molecules are excited from heat, so are good works done by believers because they have God’s grace through faith.”

Yes exactly. And works can either be done out of faith and belief, or without faith and out of unbelief. Works done out of faith and belief are done by the Lord living inside of us. Works done outside of faith are done by the flesh.

[Phinneous]

Did Moses? King David?

[MHGinTN]

Are you at the ends of the Earth? From a temporal standpoint you are, from the first century location. Written message is speaking to us today, so the proclamations are reverberating even unto today via the written messages. And lest you forget, The Torah is the written Word from God to men, commanded to Moses to write, and specifically to Daniel, too. And there are the written words of the Prophets GOD commanded be written down for our edification today.

You never seem to catch it when you are wrong, so here is proof of JESUS telling an Apostle to WRITE:

Revelation 1:11

saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

And one last note: a message can be offered both by word of mouth and written form; when I read The Word of God, it is the inspiration of His SPirit Who brings the message He deisres me to see.

[Fantasywriter]

Faith is an active force. Anyone who believes in Jesus will obey Him. For that reason it’s easy to conflate faith with works. As James put it [2:14-26]:

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Over against James’ inspired words we have this:

Romans 3:27

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

Romans 3:28

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Romans 9:31-33

31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.

32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

33 just as it is written,

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

The confusion lies in imagining that faith is passive mental assent. That kind of ‘faith,’ will save no one.

As an example, look at Noah. God said He was sending a flood. Which kind of faith would save Noah:

A, believing God and doing nothing,

Or,

B, believing God and building the ark.

In a very real sense it was faith that saved Noah. The ark was the result of that faith, such that without faith there would have been no ark and Noah would have died in the flood.

[MHGinTN]

pingalingaling

[MHGinTN]

AND it was faith/belief which was acted upon which save Lot, and many others listed in ‘The Book’. Faithe is an active word.

[Fantasywriter]

Yes, agree. The Holy Spirit actively oversaw the entire process of preserving Scripture. He did so in order to confirm the Scriptural promises re the inspiration of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is an active and omnipotent force. It was not difficult for Him to preserve God’s Word for succeeding generations, and no one should sell Him short by suggesting otherwise.

[Fantasywriter]

+1

[Petrosius]

Grace through faith, not of works. No way around that blatant proclamation. Romans 11 adds that if works are added to salvation, it is no longer by grace.

The "works" addressed in Chapter 11 of Romans are the "works of the Law", i.e. circumcision and the Mosaic Law. Romans must be understood as an elaboration of what Paul says in Chapter 2:12-29:

All who sin outside the law will also perish without reference to it, and all who sin under the law will be judged in accordance with it. For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified. For when the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people’s hidden works through Christ Jesus.

Now if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of God and know his will and are able to discern what is important since you are instructed from the law, and if you are confident that you are a guide for the blind and a light for those in darkness, that you are a trainer of the foolish and teacher of the simple, because in the law you have the formulation of knowledge and truth—then you who teach another, are you failing to teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? You who boast of the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, “Because of you the name of God is reviled among the Gentiles.” Circumcision, to be sure, has value if you observe the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Again, if an uncircumcised man keeps the precepts of the law, will he not be considered circumcised? Indeed, those who are physically uncircumcised but carry out the law will pass judgment on you, with your written law and circumcision, who break the law. One is not a Jew outwardly. True circumcision is not outward, in the flesh. Rather, one is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter; his praise is not from human beings but from God.

Paul, in Romans, is addressing the demands of the Judaizers that the Gentiles must be circumcised and obey the Mosaic Law. He is not pitting works against faith. If you are to believe in the entirety of Scripture then believe what Paul says here. Everything that he writes in Romans after this is an explanation of this.

[G Larry]

Wrong!

I’m saying YOUR INTERPRETATION would insinuate a contradiction.

My citations of Paul’s writing prove salvation by faith AND works.

[metmom]

What concerns us here is the detachment of faith from works that the phrase “faith alone” implies.

Sigh.....

It would be different if the Catholics didn't keep constructing strawmen to knock down and declare a victory over.

And no matter how many times we tell them, it falls on deaf ears.

[Fantasywriter]

Idk. Here are the OT references to tassels:

Numbers 15:38

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

Numbers 15:39

It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot,

Deuteronomy 22:12

“You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.