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The Five Solas. What is meant by that?
First, we shall look at the definition of the word "alone." Once we see what it means we will then discuss what is referred to as "The Five Solas" doctrine -- "solas" being a Latin word that means "alone" in English.
"Alone" is defined as:
"indicating that something is confined to the specified subject or recipient. Usage: "we agreed to set up such a test for him alone."
"Exclusive of anyone or anything else: only"
Usage "She alone knows what..."
"Not involving or including anyone or anything else: separate from other people or things."
How does this relate to our salvation? If we are saved by "faith alone" then nothing else is involved. That is what this language means. If we need "grace alone" then we don't need faith or anything else. It means EVERYONE is saved by grace -- nothing else needed. If our salvation involves "works alone," as some Pharisees used to think, then that is all of it -- no grace, nothing but works.
According to Matt Slick:
"The Five Solas are five Latin phrases that represent the core positions held by those who adhere to the Protestant Reformation that happened in the 16th century. They are more commonly recognized within the Reformed (Calvinist) perspective. The Five Solas are: Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria."
"Why is this doctrine of interest to Christians?
...because it is used to teach false doctrines. 'The "five solas" were developed during the Protestant Reformation in response to the heresies found in the Roman Catholic Church.... In light of the Roman Catholic errors, the reformers developed the five solas as a set of declarations that stood in opposition to the Roman Catholic heresies."
Let's look now at each of these five doctrines:
1. Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone
"This does not mean that tradition or councils are not considered. It means that the Scriptures alone are the final and the highest authority. Everything that the Scriptures address are [sic] to be used as the final word on that topic. All things that we learn from other sources must be compared to Scripture, and if they do not match Scripture or if they contradict Scripture, then we are not to affirm them. The Bible says not to exceed what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6)."
RW: Okay, we can go along with what is said above. But when we use the word "alone" as the word is intended it would exclude anything else, which would mean the only thing involved in salvation is Scripture. This is obviously not true.
2. Solus Christus - Christ alone
"This position means that Christ Jesus is the only means of salvation (John 14:6), the only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and that Jesus is the only human revelation of God. In other words, God has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus, and no other person who has ever lived is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14)."
RW: I see no problem with what is said above, but again, when we use the word "alone" as the word is intended it would exclude anything else, which would mean that only Jesus is involved in salvation. This would exclude the Father and the Holy Spirit.
3. Sola Gratia - Grace alone
"This means that we are saved from our sins and damnation by the unmerited grace of God alone without any of our works. Grace is the completely unmerited, undeserved favor of God that he bestows upon us. The grace of God is completely motivated out of his own character and is his kind intention and merciful action upon various individuals. Thus, we are saved from his righteous judgment by his unmerited and unearned favor, and there is nothing that we can do or have done that can move God to be gracious to us."
RW: Here is where the fight against error has led some into error at the other extreme. Several errors are taught here.
First, it is proclaimed that one is saved by grace alone, which means NOTHING ELSE is involved. Those who adhere to this doctrine even point out that WORKS are NOT involved. We should all be in agreement that one cannot be saved by "works alone." But the truth is, one cannot be saved by ANYTHING alone. "Work” is defined as "activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result." Faith is a mental activity; therefore, it is a work. Repentance is a mental activity. It requires one to think about the need to change and to make an effort to change the will to perform the change. Baptism involves mental activity. To be eligible for it one must have faith and be penitent. But the act itself is performed by someone else, which makes any statement one might make about saving himself by baptism nonsense. Of course, no educated and sane person has ever thought or said such a thing.
Second, it is asserted that God's grace results in "merciful action upon various individuals." This means that HE picks those who will be saved as opposed to individuals responding to the gospel and obeying it. Consider Jesus' statement: "Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). Consider, also, Hebrews 5:9 that tells us Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
It is said that grace is unearned. This is true. But those who are proponents of the Five Solas doctrine go from there to say: "There is nothing that we can do or have done that can move God to be gracious to us." In other words, we do not have a choice. If one is saved it is not because he responded to the gospel but because God chose him, and there was nothing he could do about it. In view of Jesus' invitation to sinners the above is clearly false teaching. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matt. 28:18, 19). Also, we read: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev 22:17). It is impossible to harmonize this passage with the idea that there is NOTHING anyone can do to be saved or keep God from saving him, i.e., that God chooses, and man does not have a choice.
4. Sola Fide - Faith alone
"This means that we are saved from our sins by faith alone in Christ, and not by faith and anything we do, whether it be baptism, church membership, good works, sincerity, or anything else. God is the proper object of faith. When we have faith in the work of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, we are justified (Romans 5:1)."
RW: Much of what I have written above, regarding "grace alone," applies to this point as well. I will add that the apostle James had a lot to say about faith alone. His words were intended to teach the opposite of what this part of the Five Solas doctrine teaches. Here are a few passages from his efforts:
James 2:14 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
5. Soli Deo Gloria - the Glory of God alone
"This means that God alone is the one who is to receive all the glory. He alone is the author and finisher of our salvation and works all good things through our lives. He has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus, and in great humility and love, died on the cross bearing our sins (1 Peter 2:24) so that we might enjoy his presence forever. We are to live for Him and glorify Him (Isaiah 43:7)."
RW: No one who knows the Scriptures would take issue with what is said above regarding what Five Solas proponents mean by "the glory of God alone." But why do they need to add the word "alone" to things that are true? All one needs to do is present the truth and note what the Scriptures say: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Act 4:12). These Five Solas are merely a ploy (trick) to get people to reject clear teachings of the gospel that involve a person’s will. We have three examples of the gospel's being preached where the hearers asked a question very similar to this one: "What shall I do to be saved?" In every instance they were baptized.
Below is a link to a recent sermon in outline form that deals with these questions and the answers given by men of God:
https://www.totalhealth.bz/What%20Must%20I%20Do%20To%20Be%20Saved.pdf .
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