Sometimes, we may imagine that summarizing Reformation principles in a list of three to five slogans containing Latin words for "only" (solus, solo, soli, or sola) is a custom from the sixteenth century. While Martin Luther and other Reformers did use the word "only" in some doctrinal discussions, the use of these specific slogans as a summary is much later. It seems that the first person to summarize the Reformation using sola expressions was Theodore Engelder (1865-1949), an American confessional Lutheran professor. In an article in 1916, he summarized the Reformation by three expressions or slogans: sola Scriptura, sola gratia, and sola fide. Many Protestants found these memorable expressions to be convenient summaries of their doctrinal emphases, and later, Reformed writers added two other expressions to their list: solus Christus and soli Deo gloria.
These last two expressions are ancient and should be affirmed by any believing Christian. Solus Christus, or "only Christ" affirms that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, the unique Mediator between God and humanity. As John 14:6 teaches, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Our salvation depends on God incarnate in Jesus Christ.
Soli Deo gloria, "to God alone be glory," is a theme throughout Scripture. We see divine glory emphasized in Romans 16:27, "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever." A notable application to Christian life is in I Corinthians 10:31, "whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Divine glory is the source and the goal of creation and redemption. This divine glory is incarnate in Jesus Christ, and it should be honored and reflected in the lives of believers.
While recognizing the truth of these two "solas," the original list of three short Latin expressions is a more characteristic summary of the Lutheran Reformation. So let us briefly look at the meanings of the original three solas.
Sola Scriptura, "only Scripture," means that the ultimate authority for Christian belief and practice is the Bible. This belief is supported by numerous Scripture verses, and it is frequently expressed in Christian history. One important Scripture citation is II Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Another key verse is I Peter 1:25, which says, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
This principle does not mean that Lutherans are uninformed Biblicists. Luther and other reformers recognize the usefulness of secondary sources. Human language, history, reason, and church tradition have a place in Scripture interpretation, doctrinal discussion, and Christian living. There is also room for disagreement on some minor details of Biblical interpretation. However, Scripture is our supreme and infallible guide. It is generally clear and the basic norm for all Christian believers.
Sola gratia, "only grace," means that sinful human beings can only be saved by divine grace. Grace is the loving redemptive power of God at work through the Holy Spirit. God always has the initiative. Grace is taught and illustrated throughout Scripture; a key verse is Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." This verse is affirmed by the Augsburg Confession, XX, par. 10, "Whoever, therefore, trusts that by works he merits grace, despises the merit and grace of Christ, and seeks a way to God without Christ, by human strength...."
Grace or graciousness is not merely God's help; it is the divine characteristic that saves sinful human beings. Grace is the merciful divine disposition and power reaching out to those who do not merit any consideration or mercy. It is divine love at work, forgiving, constantly converting, and strengthening sinners. It is a gift for those who are unprofitable servants (see Luke 17:10).
Sola fide, "only faith," means that faith is the one basic aspect of a sound relationship with almighty God. Faith has content centered on the saving work of Jesus Christ, but living faith inspired by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit is primarily an attitude of confidence or trust in God and His forgiveness and redemption. Human beings can only be accepted, set right, or justified before God by such faith.
Numerous passages of Scripture affirm the necessity of faith. Notable verses include Christ's words in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The Apostle Paul asserts the centrality of faith in Romans 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Similar affirmations are found in Romans 5:1 and Galatians 2:16.
Luther and other sixteenth-century reformers renewed Scriptural teaching about the nature of faith and justification, and this teaching lies at the heart of the Reformation. Faith as trust in the divine work in the person of Jesus Christ is central to the preaching and writing of all the Reformers, and numerous Evangelical confessions affirm sola fide. For example, Article IV of the Augsburg Confession states that Lutherans "teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins."
So the principle of justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone is at the heart of the Gospel. It distinguishes true Christianity from all human religious systems. It also gives all other Christian beliefs their true context. Sola fide is the sola to which the other solas should lead. Although Scripture stands on its own merit, and although divine grace comes before faith and continues throughout life, justifying faith is the basic and essential connection of the believer with Christ.
[Scripture citations are from the KJV. Citations from the Augsburg Confession are from the online source- https://bookofconcord.org/ ]
No comments:
Post a Comment