The five solas of the Reformation
In response to the Roman Catholic Church's claim to be the only true apostolic church and as such to have the only valid authority, the Reformers summarized their theological principles in 5 mottos:
1. Sola Fide (faith alone)
2. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
3. Solus Christus (Christ alone)
4. Sola Gratia (Grace alone)
5. Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone belongs the glory)
1. What is meant by Sola Fide?
This motto is called the material or fundamental principle of the Reformation. Martin Luther said of it: it is the article of faith upon which the church stands or falls. The entire doctrine of justification rests on this article. The Roman Catholic Church explicitly emphasized that faith alone is not sufficient for salvation. According to [the relevant doctrine], [further details are needed]. Jakobus 2,14 good works are also necessary. In contrast, the Reformers argued that good works can never contribute to our salvation because the law of God requires absolute perfection from the sinner. We are saved by looking through faith to the righteousness that Jesus obtained for us on the cross. This faith is also not dead faith, but faith brought about by the Holy Spirit, which subsequently produces good works.
Römer 3,28 “So we hold that man becomes righteous apart from the works of the law, through faith alone.”
Only by faith, not by works, can we be justified in Christ.
Galater 3,6-11 “This was the case with Abraham: He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s children. Now Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and so it proclaimed to Abraham, ‘In you all the Gentiles will be blessed.’ Therefore, those who have faith will be blessed along with Abraham, who believes. For those who live by the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not keep all that is written in the Book of the Law to do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.”
2. What is meant by Sola Scriptura?
This motto is the so-called formal principle of the Reformation because it represents the source and norm for sola fide. The Roman Church believed itself to be the sole authority on matters of faith. In other words, the Church's magisterium (with the Pope and bishops) stands above Scripture and determines how Scripture is to be interpreted. The Holy Scripture is sufficient for faith, but it is not clear enough. In contrast, the Reformers argued that the Bible was understandable enough and could be interpreted on its own.
Psalm 119,130 "When your word is revealed, it gives light and makes wise the simple."
This does not mean that everyone can fully understand them (we need offices for that) but these offices are fallible and must constantly be under the authority of the Word of God. The Bible is norma normans (it norms everything else) and the church's creed remains only norma normata (a norm normed by Scripture).
2. Timotheus 3,16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
3. What is meant by Sola Gratia?
The Roman Catholic Church taught then (and now) that man, despite his weakness, can cooperate in his salvation. God gives him his grace (forgivingly!) and man responds with faith. The Reformers rejected this idea and emphasized that salvation is a pure gift from God. Man is spiritually dead and he must therefore be born again; his mind, his heart and his will must be completely renewed before he can decide.
Epheser 2,4-10 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
4. What is meant by Solus Christus?
It was the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that man needs not only Christ but also other mediators in order to receive the grace of God. These are the Virgin Mary and the saints who can intercede with God for him through their prayers. For the reformers, only what Jesus Christ did on the cross helps. It is enough to receive the fullness of God's grace.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people—this should be preached in due season.” (1. Timotheus 2, 5-6).
5. What does soli Deo Gloria mean?
The Reformers fought vigorously against the idea that the saints could receive any honor besides God and Jesus Christ. Because God alone accomplishes our salvation, all the glory belongs to Him alone.
Römer 11,36 «For from him and through him and to him are all things. To Him be glory forever and ever! Amen"
The faith and steadfastness of the reformers are still available to us today, because the Reformation is not yet over. The reformers call on us to continue the Reformation and the five “Solas” show us the way. The Bible is our foundation, God's grace is a gift, faith is the highest virtue, and Jesus is the Savior and only way. Is giving God glory also our passion? If that is the case, then a reformation is still possible today.
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