As a church we have been going through a beautiful and invaluable faith building study through the 5 Solas of the Protestant Reformation. As I mention this study to friends in conversation around town, I get the same response everywhere I go: “What are the five solas?” or “I’ve never heard of that before.” Yet everyone seems excited about the topic as soon as they learn more. Therefore, I thought I would put a very brief article out informing those who’s interest  seems to be peaking about the 5 Solas. Hope this helps a bit.

5 Solas were 5 Latin phrases, popularized during the Protestant Reformation, making clear the distinctions that set the reformers and Protestant believers apart from the long standing Roman Catholic Church (or the Universal Church).

The 5 Solas are known as follows:

1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

2. Sola Fide: Faith Alone

3. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone

4. Solo Christo: Christ Alone

5. Soli Deo Gloria: To The Glory Of God Alone

The Solas are much more than a correction to the extra biblical practices of the Roman Catholic beliefs and teachings.

More importantly, they are essential biblical declarations of the Christian Faith, each one building upon another, a Gospel foundation, finding its apex in the Glory of God alone.

According to John Piper, These truths have clearly defined the Gospel for the church for five hundred years.

The Gospel, in the Solas, can be defined

“As revealed with final authority in

Scripture Alone,

the Gospel is the good news that

by faith alone

through

Grace alone

on the basis of

Christ alone

for the

glory of God alone

sinners have full and final joy in

God alone.”