The Five “Solas”
The Battle Cries of the Reformation
The five solas stand as mighty battle cries of the Reformation, rallying points raised by faithful reformers to extol and guard the purity and simplicity of the gospel. They are bulwarks set up to safeguard the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Drawn from the wells of sacred Scripture, they summon the soul from its bondage to the devices of human tradition and exalt the majesty of Christ's completed work on the cross. These “alone” slogans present lines of defense that uphold God’s sovereign grace and magnify His glory.
Sola Scriptura
Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”) is the Latin phrase that expresses the
Reformation conviction to return to the Holy Bible as the sole access to God’s
authoritative self-revelation and will. It fundamentally dethroned popes, councils,
and tradition by restoring the written word of God to its rightful rule in the
church.
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Sola Fide
Sola fide (“faith alone”) is the Latin phrase that expresses the
Reformation conviction that a person is declared righteous before God by faith alone
apart from being made righteous through works—otherwise known as the doctrine of
justification by faith alone.
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Sola Gratia
Sola gratia (“grace alone”) is the Latin phrase that expresses the
Reformation conviction that redemption is a free gift from God, received by faith
alone, being accomplished by Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection and
applied by a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. Understanding salvation in terms of
Christ’s work and sovereign grace affords assurance that is grounded in the promise
of the gospel, which became a mark of Reformed conviction.
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Solus Christus
Solus Christus (“by Christ alone”) is the Latin phrase that expresses the
Reformation conviction that Christ is the only mediator between God and man and that
salvation is accomplished by the atoning work of Christ alone apart from one’s own
works and merit.
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Soli Deo Gloria
Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”) is the Latin phrase that expresses
the Reformation conviction that God alone is deserving of glory in salvation and in
all things, religious or otherwise. God shares His glory with no one. It is the
chief end of all the other solas and the characteristic mark of the Reformation. It
reflects the restoration of God to the center of reality and orders all things
accordingly. It humbly bows in acknowledgement that all things are from Him, through
Him, and to Him. And it opposes every effort of man to seek the praise and glory of
men.
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