Page 18 - Pilgrims in Georgia

V
What did Reformation protestants believe

that brought them into conflict with the Church of their time

and as a result into political conflicts all over Europe?

The Five Solas (five onlies)

The “five solas” is a term used to designate five major foundational differences of Faith that distinguished them from the Catholic Church.

They are:

1. “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone)
2. “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone);
3. “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone)
4’ “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone)
5. “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory)

These “five solas” were developed in response to specific differences that were taught by the Roman Catholic Church.

1. The Roman Catholic Church taught that the foundational source for faith and practice in the Christian life was a combination of the
scriptures, sacred tradition, and the teachings of the magisterium and the pope; but the Reformers said, “No, our foundation source of
Faith is sola (only) found in the the Scriptures (the Bible) ”, Only the Scriptures, “Sola Scriptura”.
2. The Catholic Church taught that we are saved through a combination of God's grace, the works that we accumulate through penance and
good works, and the of works that the saints before us accumulated; the reformers responded, No, people are saved only through the
unearned Grace of God. Only by Grace “sola gratia”.
3. The Catholics taught that we are justified by faith and the works that we produce, which the righteousness that God infuses in us through
faith brings about. The reformers responded, “No, we are justified by Faith alone, a Faith which lays hold of and receives Christ’s
righteousness, (not our own) that God freely gives to the account of those who believe”. Only By Faith, “Sola Fide”.
4. The Catholic Church taught that we are saved by the merits of Christ and the saints, and that we approach God through Christ, the saints,
and Mary, who all pray and intercede for us. The Reformers responded, “No, we are saved by the Righteousness of Christ Alone, so we
come to God through Christ alone”. Only through Christ, “Solus Christus”.
5. The Catholic Church adhered to what Martin Luther called the “theology of glory” (in opposition to the “theology of the cross”), in which
the glory (honor bestowed) for a sinner's salvation could be attributed partly to Christ, partly to Mary and the saints, and partly to the
sinner himself. The reformers responded, “No, the only true gospel is that which gives all glory to God alone, as is taught in the
scriptures.” To God Alone Be the Glory, “Soli Deo Gloria”.