The Five Solas of the Reformation

These five Latin phrases or slogans resulted from the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic theological beliefs. The Latin word sola means "alone" or "only" in English. These five fundamental commitments are essentials of the Church's life and practice.

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)

The Scripture alone is the only standard and the ultimate authority for faith and life. Whatever God teaches or commands is of sovereign authority. Whatever conveys to us an infallible knowledge of his teachings and commands is an infallible rule. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only means through which  God conveys to us a knowledge of his will about what we are to believe concerning himself, and what duties he requires of us. The Belgic Confession states, "We believe that [the] holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein...Neither may we consider any writings of men, however holy these men may have been, of equal value with those divine Scriptures nor ought we to consider custom or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God... Therefore, we reject with all our hearts whatsoever does not agree with this infallible rule" (VII).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17

2. Soli Deo Gloria or "glory to God alone"

All glory is to be due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and work of redemption in Christ. The reformers believed that one should not exalt men for their good works, but rather praise and give glory to God who is the author and perfecter of believers and their good works. This great and all consuming purpose was emphasized by those in the 16th and 17th Centuries who sought to reform the church according to the Word of God. The Reformation also reclaimed the Scriptural teaching of the sovereignty of God and the Lordship of Christ over every aspect of the believer's life. All of life is to be lived to the glory of God.

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31)

3. Solus Christus or "Christ alone"

Christ is the only mediator between God and man, for there is salvation through no other. The Reformation called the church back to faith in Christ as the sole mediator between God and man. As the Heidelberg Catechism, Question 30 asks, "Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior who seek their salvation and happiness in saints, in themselves, or anywhere else? They do not; for though they boast of him in words yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Saviour: for one of these two things must be true that either Jesus is not a complete Savior or that they who by a true faith receive this Saviour must find all things in him necessary to their salvation."

"And there is salvation in no one else; For there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

4. Sola Gratia or "grace alone"

Salvation comes by God's grace or redemptive love only-not as something merited by the sinner. This means that salvation is an unearned gift from God for Jesus' sake. This doctrine asserts divine monergism in salvation: God acts alone to save the sinner. The responsibility for salvation does not rest on the sinner to any degree as in "synergism" or Arminianism.  The Reformation was a rediscovery of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit alone not men or the church who imparts grace. It is the Spirit of God who takes the things of Christ and imparts them to God's elect; all of his merits and the gift of salvation.

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7

5. Sola Fide or "faith alone"

Justification or being declared right by God, is received by faith only, without any mixture of or need for good works, though in classical Protestant theology, saving faith is always evidenced by good works. This doctrine asserts the total exclusion of any other righteousness to justify the sinner other than the "alien" righteousness (righteousness of another) of Christ alone. Sola fide excludes even the sinner's own righteousness of Sanctification or his "new obedience" from his Justification. The Sola fide doctrine is sometimes called the material cause or principle of the Reformation because it was the central doctrinal issue for Martin Luther and the other reformers. Luther called it the "doctrine by which the church stands or falls".

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9