In Part 2 we continue to consider the five solas of the Protestant Reformation.
Sola Fide – Faith Alone
"If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema."1
Just as the RCC taught that it is Jesus and, they also taught that it is Faith and.
They teach that faith in Christ alone is not enough to be justified, to be made right with God. As a Catholic, Martin Luther also believed this until the Lord used Scripture to show him differently. When Luther read Romans 1 his eyes and his heart were opened:
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
R.C Sproul speaking about this momentous event in Luther’s life comments:
“And so Luther said, ‘Woa, you mean the righteousness by which I will be saved, is not mine?’ It’s what he called a justitia alienum, an alien righteousness; a righteousness that belongs properly to somebody else. It’s a righteousness that is extra nos, outside of us. Namely, the righteousness of Christ. And Luther said, ‘When I discovered that, I was born again of the Holy Ghost. And the doors of paradise swung open, and I walked through.’”2
The RCC at the Council of Trent (also known as the Counter Reformation) dug their heels in. The Council declared that a person cannot be justified by faith alone, and any who hold such a belief is accursed.
But the Reformers held fast to the clear teaching of Scripture:
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)
‘…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.’ (Romans 3:23-25)
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
‘…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…’ (Titus 3:5)
Now the usual response to the claim that we are saved by faith alone is to ask, then what place does works have? Doesn’t James 2 teach that we are not saved by faith alone and that faith without works is dead? Luther response to such accusations was to say:
"We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone."
In similar fashion, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, Ulrich Zwingli said:
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
The Reformers stated that Scripture alone is authoritative (sola scriptura) and that it is faith alone which saves. Intricately linked to sola fide is sola gratia (Grace alone).
The RCC taught the necessity and importance of grace, but they interpreted grace in a different way. To them, grace enables a person to merit more grace, which enables them to do works, and those works together with faith justifies the sinner. This operates like a partnership with God doing His part and the sinner doing his/her part.
The Reformers responded to this by declaring that grace is no way aided by the sinner. It is God’s grace. It His undeserved, unmerited kindness, that is the cause of faith. Faith then is the instrument by which we receive salvation.
Their biblical basis for this teaching can be found, amongst other places, in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1-10 (particularly verses 8-10).
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone
"As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs."3
The Reformers were insistent that all glory should be given to God. It was God who gave us His Word, to illuminate and guide the mind. It was God who provided Christ as the propitiatory sacrifice for sin. It was God who provided the grace and faith that justifies a lost sinner. Therefore, all glory goes to Him alone.
It was the contention of the Reformers that within the unbiblical RCC, glory was given to apparently anyone but God.
Glory went to the Pope who, replacing Christ, was seen to be the head of the Church. Veneration was given to Mary and dead saints. Acts commissioned by the RCC were believed to award merit to the sinner, therefore some glory should go to man.
The selling of indulgences4 was particularly troublesome to Luther as shown by his words:
"They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory."5
The RCC were teaching that the purchasing of papal indulgences, would merit favour with God and sin would be forgiven. This enraged Luther, who saw this as an affront to the Glory of God. Scripture teaches that glory belongs to God alone.
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. (Isaiah 42:8)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Conclusion
The five solas were the collective battle cry of the Protestant Reformers. These five: Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia and Soli Deo Gloria; declare that Scripture alone is our highest authority and that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone.
In parts 3 and 4, we will consider why these teachings are needed just as much today as they were 500 years ago; not to just battle against the continued errors found in the Roman Catholic Church, but the rampant falsehood now found within Protestantism.
1(Canon 9 – Council of Trent; 1545-1563)
2https://www.ligonier.org/blog/justification-faith-alone-martin-luther-and-romans-117/
3Attributed to Johann Tetzel (1465-1519 – Dominican Friar). He sold indulgences for the forgiveness of sin.
4In the teaching of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is "a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins".
5 Martin Luther – Thesis 27 (https://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html)
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