The Five Solas

Let's take a trip back in time. The year is 1517, and the only available bible is written in Latin. Because most Christians could not read Latin, they had to take what the Roman church leaders taught them as truth. With this power, these leaders were able to manipulate the church . They twisted the scripture to gain power and swindle money from the believers who could not read for themselves. This angered Martin Luther and many others who read and knew the Bible. So Luther took action and wrote his 95 Theses as a protest against the actions of the church leaders. Today we know this as the start of the Protestant Reformation, the cause of the split of the Catholic and Protestant churches.

In the 95 Theses, Luther wrote about The Five Solas.  The Five Solas are five Latin phrases that emerged during the Reformation to summarize the Reformers’ convictions about the essentials of Christianity. The Five Solas are a foundational set of principles held by theologians as central to the doctrine of salvation as taught by the Reformed branches of Protestantism.

The first foundational principle is Sola Gratia (grace alone). Salvation is the free gift of God to man. It is given by God’s grace alone and not through any merit on the part of the Christian.

“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.” - Ephesians‬ 2:8-9‬ ESV‬‬

Next we have Sola Fide (faith alone). We are judged righteous in the sight of God purely on the basis of our faith. The atoning sacrifice of Christ leads to righteousness being imputed to us as sinners through a legal declaration by God. This is often stated as justification (“just as if” we never sinned) by faith alone.

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." - Galatians‬ 3:11‬ ESV‬‬

Third is Solus Christus (Christ alone). Christ is the one mediator between God and man. Our salvation is accomplished only through His death and resurrection.“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” - 1 Timothy‬ 2:5‬

Fourth is Sola Scriptura (scripture alone). Scripture alone is the only infallible source of divine revelation and the final authority for matters of faith and practice.

“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 ESV

‬‬Finally there is Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). Every aspect of the Christian life is to be seen as giving glory to God. In essence, this summarises the other four Soli above. It also stemmed from the reformers' opposition to what they perceived as the unwarranted glorification of the Popes and other clergy.

“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Peter‬ 4:11‬

As we reflect on these ideas and scriptures, may the Holy Spirit teach the foundation of our salvation through Jesus Christ our Savior.