Reformation day is just around the corner. While our kids are going door-to-door collecting candy, it’s important that we not forget that over half a millennia ago, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. Luther intended to start a theological dialogue, but instead a movement was born that became known as the Protestant Reformation. At the heart of the Reformation stood the five Solas. These doctrinal distinctives characterized the gulf that existed between Reformers like Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli over and against the teachings of the 16th century Roman Catholic Church.
Sola Scriptura means “Scripture alone” and expresses the conviction that God’s inspired Word is the only unerring, all- sufficient, and final authority for the faith and practice of the church.
Solus Christus means “Christ alone” and holds forth the beautiful truth that Christ and Christ alone is the basis upon which sinners are justified in God’s sight.
Sola fide means “faith alone” and maintains that those who believe in Christ receive His saving redemption only through faith.
Sola gratia means “grace alone” and proclaims that all of salvation, from beginning to end, is only by God’s grace.
Soli Deo gloria means “glory to God alone” rightfully asserting that God alone deserves all glory, honor, and praise for our salvation.
I thank God for those brave souls who recovered the beauty of the Gospel and sacrificed to bring reformation to the church. May we cling always to God’s saving work revealed in the Scriptures alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone!
For in the Gospel, we are loved, more than we know!
