The Five Solas – why they are still important today (Part 1)

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.¹

This statement though true in general is especially true for the Christian Church. How quickly we forget, or should I say ignore, those who have gone before us.

But then why should we who live in the twenty first century be in any way concerned about what was happening in the Christian Church hundreds and hundreds of years ago? What on earth can they teach us, that we do not already know? Aren’t we far more educated than they were?

Sadly, such folly exists amongst the people of God; and such ignorance in turn leads to an embracing of the very same errors that our forebears fought and taught against. Standing up for truth cost many their lives; but what has that got to do with us? It is my contention that it has everything to do with us.

In this first article we will take a trip back in time to the sixteenth century and consider why the five solas were of vital importance to the Protestant Reformers.

What are the five solas?

Responding to what was the unbiblical excesses of the Roman Catholic Church, ‘protesting’ theologians and clergy used Scripture to defend what they considered ‘true biblical’ Christianity. The main points raised by these men are now known as the five solas of the Protestant Reformation. They were Latin phrases with the word ‘sola’ meaning ‘alone’.

The five solas were:

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone

Solus Christus – Christ Alone

Sola Fide – Faith Alone

Sola Gratia – Grace Alone

Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone

Though never listed like this by the Reformers themselves, each of these statements (supported by Scripture) were used in responding to Roman Catholic claims to authority. As we consider each one, let us be mindful that the modern day Roman Catholic Church has not changed its teaching regarding any of these issues.

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.²

The Romans Catholic Church (RCC) holds the position of Prima Scriptura, rather than Sola Scriptura. What is the difference? Whereas Sola Scriptura teaches that the Bible is a believer’s only authority, the RCC teaches that though the Bible is of primary importance, there is something else equal to it - Sacred Tradition.

Hence there exists a close connection and communication between sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture. For both of them, flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end. For Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit, while sacred tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and hands it on to their successors in its full purity, so that led by the light of the Spirit of truth, they may in proclaiming it preserve this word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known. Consequently, it is not from Sacred Scripture alone that the Church draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed. Therefore, both sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence.³

Standing above sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition is the sacred Roman Catholic Church which authoritatively interprets both. The addition of tradition allows for extra-biblical revelation. It was extra-biblical teachings like purgatory, indulgences, praying to saints, the mass and transubstantiation etc. that caused the Reformers to raise the battle-cry: Sola Scriptura.

The sole authority of Scripture was also known as the formal principle of the Reformation. That is that Scripture is to be understood as the sole source of divine revelation, the only inspired, infallible, final, and authoritative norm of faith and practice, and as such, all the other ‘solas’ came from it.

They contended that the Bible was all that a person needed to know the way of Salvation and to live a godly life. The Bible alone is the word of God:

‘…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’ (2 Peter 1:20-21)

 ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

As the Bible is God’s Word, everything we are taught must be subjected to its authority.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Solus Christus – Christ Alone

Whoever is not satisfied with Christ alone, strives after something beyond absolute perfection. (John Calvin (1509-1564)

The Reformers argued that the RCC placed others in the way of Christ. The Roman priest was an intercessor between man and God, whereas the Bible taught that Jesus is our priest and intercessor:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Alongside this, there is an idea within the RCC today that Mary is both co-redemptrix and co-mediatrix, with a real push for this belief to become dogma (official RCC teaching). There are those who claim that Mary is as important as Christ in God’s redemptive plan and that she should be used as a mediator between man and God. Hence many Roman Catholics are encouraged to petition Mary in prayer. Scripture clearly states that there is any only one mediator – Jesus.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Next time we will look at what the Reformers mean by Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Sola Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). Each element in the five solas is essential if we are to understand the Bible’s message of salvation.

1 Attributed to writer and philosopher George Santayana

2 Martin Luther - 1521 Speech in defence of his doctrines at the Diet of Worms, 18 Apr.)

3 Dei Verbum – Chapter 2 "Handing on Divine Revelation" (Second Vatican Council)