Sola Scriptura

I already know what you’re thinking… “Oh no, not another language lesson from our pastor!”  Haha.  Yep!  But this one is a bit different.  It’s not Hebrew.  It’s not Greek.  It’s not even Aramaic.  This language does not even appear in the Bible*.  The phrase “sola scriptura” is Latin, and it makes up one of the “Five Solas.”  Over the next few weeks, I will use this space to explain what the Five Solas are and why they are still important for us today.

Have you ever seen that yellow flag that was popularized during the American Revolution, which has a coiled-up snake along with the warning, “Don’t Treat On Me” printed on the bottom?  That flag served as a rallying cry for those fighting against political oppression from the king of England.  Similarly (in a non-violent way), the Five Solas serve as a motto of theological faithfulness, although there is no official flag for the saying.  The Five Solas are:

Sola Scriptura – by Scripture alone

Sola Fide – by faith alone

Sola gratia – by grace alone

  Solus Christus – though Christ alone

Soli Deo gloria – glory to God alone

The idea of the Five Solas was originally developed during the Protestant Reformation, as a objection to the faulty teachings of the Roman Catholic church.  If you examine each of the sayings, you will see that the Catholic church, over the centuries, had added to the things which God requires of His people, as described in His word.  In short, Roman Catholicism theology leads to the ideas that authority comes by Scripture plus the words of the pope; that justification comes by faith plus obedience; that salvation comes by grace plus merit; that mediation comes through Christ plus Mary; that glory then goes to God plus man.  Hopefully you can already see the problems that arise which such false teachings.

Sola Scriptura means that the Bible is the only, or sole, infallible source for matters of Christian faith and practice.  This doesn’t mean that we can’t read and use other books for help.  But it does mean that God’s word will forever stand in authority above any work of man.  Therefore, if you read something that I write, or any other human writes (including the pope and his counsels), which is not in accordance with the Bible, then the Bible wins.  No word of man can ever stand in authority over God’s word.  The things that I say or write are only authoritative for faith and life if they are faithful to the Bible.  Sounds easy enough for you and me, but saying this out loud has gotten many people killed in church history.  Next week I will investigate Sola Fide.

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce   

bruce.cullom@gmail.com   

  *Latin does actually appear one time in the Bible.  Come tell me if you know where.