Five solas
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The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformer's basic beliefs and emphasis in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day.
- Sola fide (Faith Alone)
- Justification (that is, becoming right before God) comes through faith only, not good works. (In the classical protestant scheme, however, saving faith will always be accompanied by good works.) This doctrine can be summarized with the formula "Faith yields justification and good works" and is contrasted with the Catholic formula "Faith and good works yield justification."
- Sola scriptura (Scripture Alone)
- The Bible is the only inspired and authoritative Word of God and is accessible to all (that is, perspicuous and self-interpreting). This doctrine is directly opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church that scripture can only be authentically interpreted through Holy Tradition by the Magisterium (that is, the Pope and bishops at church councils).
- Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
- Jesus Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. Neither Mary, the saints, nor priests (other than Christ himself) can act as mediator in bringing salvation. This doctrine is contrasted with the Catholic doctrines of the intercession of saints and of the function of priests.
- Sola gratia (Grace Alone)
- Salvation comes by grace only, not through any merit on the part of the sinner. Thus salvation is an unearned gift. This doctrine is a response to the Catholic doctrine of merit.
- Soli Deo gloria (Glory to God Alone)
- All the glory is due to God alone, since he did all the work — not only the atonement on the Cross, but even granting the faith which allows men to be saved by that atonement. The Reformers believed that human beings (such as the Catholic saints and popes) and their organizations (the Church) were not worthy of the glory that was bestowed on them.
External links
- Articles on the five solas (http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/fivesolas.html) from a conservative Protestant perspectivesimple:Five solas