Type of Doctrine: Debated (some say Primary while others say Secondary)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
-Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Why it matters?
In the 16th century, there were some big issues that arose (not all will be covered here). Among them, here are two significant issues which came up. First, is the Bible alone our infallible authority? Or is the pope an infallible authority? What role does tradition, or church history, play? What happens if tradition or the pope are authoritative and they disagree with the Bible? Should we go with the Bible or the pope? The Reformers pointed the following out: if Scripture is God's Word (based on 2 Tim. 3:16-17), then it should be the authority (rather than tradition or the pope).
Second, are we declared righteous by God (i.e., justified) because of faith alone? Or, on the other hand, are we justified by faith plus works? Have we earned our justification in some way through our efforts? Or is it given to us through faith only? The Reformers pointed out that Paul says that God declares us righteous by faith alone. "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (Rom. 3:28; cf. the entire book of Galatians). However, Catholic theology emphasizes James 2:24 which says, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." How are we to reconcile these two verses which seem to contradict?
The Reformers responded to this by claiming that Paul is speaking about how we are justified (i.e., by faith alone), while James is speaking about the type of faith that justifies (i.e., true, justifying faith has good works with it). This is a strong argument. Why? In the context, James 1 is about the testing of genuine faith. James 2 is about how people with true faith are not partial to the rich. Then, James continues by discussing how faith without works is a dead faith. Therefore, James seems to be writing to people who claim to have faith but do not have works. And his conclusion is that the brand of so-called "faith" that does not have works is dead. It is not justifying, saving faith.
Therefore, the Reformers held the view that believers are justified by faith alone, but they claimed that genuine saving faith is never alone (i.e., without works). In other words, though we're saved by faith alone, true faith always produces good works like fruit on a tree.
We are justified by faith alone, but genuine saving faith is never alone. True faith always produces good works like fruit on a tree.
Put simply, according to R.C. Sproul, here are the differences.
The Roman Catholic view of justification is: Faith + Works = Justification
The Reformers' view of justification is: Faith = Justification + Works (i.e., works are the fruit of faith)
Now, does that mean that Catholics are not Christians? Here is an excellent link to an article John Piper has written on this topic (titled "Can a Devout Roman Catholic Be Genuinely Born Again?") where he argues that Catholics can be genuinely saved while stressing that some of the official doctrines of the Catholic Church which developed over many centuries are extremely concerning.
R.C. Sproul explains the significance of justification by faith alone, "Much is at stake here. One of the most significant theological issues we can ever discuss is on the table. It is the question of what we must do to be saved. If I thought that I had to arrive at a state, no matter how much grace the church has for me, of pure righteousness without any imperfections in order to reach heaven, I would completely despair of ever having salvation. If my church taught this concept of justification, that would be horrible news, not good news" (R.C. Sproul, Are We Together?: A Protestant Analyzes Roman Catholicism, 39). Thus, the good news of the gospel is at stake. R.C. Sproul takes the view that Protestants and Catholics are not together (i.e., he views justification by faith alone as a primary issue).
In contrast to R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer took another view (this article gives more of the backstory). Though they both subscribed to justification by faith alone, Packer signed the 1994 Evangelicals and Catholics Together document which sought to define justification broadly in a way that both could agree to without parsing out the details (i.e., functionally treating it as a secondary issue). Therefore, Packer says that Protestants and Catholics are together.
Similarly, Gavin Ortlund has pointed out in this interview with Phoenix Seminary that we are looking for a high-level definition of justification with an acknowledgement that believers are made right with God on the basis of grace (i.e., it is not earned). We're not looking to define justification so narrowly that it excludes many in church history.
Therefore, to summarize, there is disagreement on whether the Five Solas are primary doctrines or secondary doctrines.
What is it?
The five solas are five beliefs that arise out of Scripture which many of the Reformers in the 16th century taught. These were key beliefs which distinguished them from Roman Catholic teachings.
Some have pointed out that the Reformers did not articulate these beliefs in this manner (i.e., as the five solas). Matthew Barrett explains: "Although the phrase 'five solas' may be more recent in its usage, the concepts are rooted in the 16th century Reformation. These five solas distinguished Reformers like Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin, and so many others from the teachings of Rome" (Matthew Barrett, "The Five Solas").
But, this wasn't merely a secondary or tertiary debate. According to the Reformers, the gospel itself was at stake. Barrett comments, "[A]t the heart of this divide was not merely a theological dispute, but a celebration of the gospel itself. The reformers were willing to lay their lives down for these solas first and foremost because they believed the gospel itself was at stake" (Matthew Barrett, "The Five Solas").
The Five Solas
Five Solas | What? | Scripture(s) |
sola scriptura (Scripture alone) | Since Scripture is God's Word, it alone is fully accurate, trustworthy, infallible, and authoritative. | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV). "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever" (Psa. 119:160 ESV). "Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Mat. 5:19 ESV). |
solus Christus (Christ alone) | Unrighteous people are justified (i.e., declared righteous) in Christ alone. | "21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:21-26 ESV). |
sola fide (Faith alone) | Christ has accomplished redemption but believers can receive it through faith alone; it cannot be earned in any way. | " . . . yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified" (Gal. 2:16 ESV). |
sola gratia (Grace alone) | From the beginning to the end, our salvation is by grace alone (i.e., predestined, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified). | "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy" (Rom. 9:16 ESV). "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV). |
soli Deo gloria (Glory to God alone) | God alone receives glory for our salvation. | "I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols" (Isa. 42:8 ESV).
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36 ESV).
"Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!" (Psa. 72:19).
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Application
Here are a few thoughts on applications from each sola:
Scripture alone: Scripture is the only divinely inspired words that we possess. The Scriptures are infallible and authoritative. We should treasure them, read them, and measure everything by them as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11)!
Christ alone: We are unrighteous, and Christ is the only way that we are forgiven and declared righteous! We should appreciate him as a person, and we should appreciate his work for us. We should be thankful that we do not need to add anything to his work in order to be justified in God's sight. Thank him!
Faith alone: We are under the wrath of God because of our sin. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to earn our way into God's approval, forgiveness, and kingdom. This is good news because Christ did it all for us. All we need to do is believe (John 3:16)! There is nothing that you can add to what Christ has already done for you!
Grace alone: From the beginning to the end of our salvation, it is all grace. God's gift of grace is truly a gift at every point! Therefore, we don't need to despair and we should never be proud.
Glory to God alone: God alone deserves all the praise, honor, and fame for salvation! No person and no thing should receive the glory but him!
Where can I learn more?
Bibliography:
Articles
-Gavin Ortlund's interview
-John Piper's article titled "Can a Devout Roman Catholic be Genuinely Born Again?"
-John Piper's article titled "The Doctrine of Justification By Faith"
-Matthew Barrett's article titled "The Five Solas"
-R.C. Sproul's article titled "What is Saving Faith?"
Books
-Ortlund, Gavin. Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
-Sproul, R.C. Are We Together?: A Protestant Analyzes Roman Catholicism. Sanford: Reformation Trust, 2012.