Sola
scriptura (Scripture Alone)
The Bible is the only
authoritative Word of God, not traditions. This is in opposition
to the teaching of the Catholic Church, that scripture is
interpreted through Holy Tradition. It expresses a conviction that
scripture is perspicuous and self-interpreting. Catholicism also
maintains that other rules of faith than scripture exist, namely
the infallible Councils and the Pope.
Solus
Christus (Christ Alone)
The exclusivity of Christ;
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no
other name by which men can be saved. Neither Mary, the saints,
false gods, nor the sinner himself can bring salvation.
Sola
gratia (Grace Alone)
Salvation comes by grace
only, not through any merit on the part of the sinner. Thus
salvation is an unearned gift. This is a response to the Catholic
doctrine of merit.
Sola fide (Faith Alone)
Salvation comes through
faith only, not works. This is the means of grace; the doctrine is
that salvation comes, as Ephesians 2:8-9 puts it, by grace through
faith, and that faith is not of ourselves, but is itself the
result of grace. This saving faith, however, will always be
accompanied by good works (see James 2). Other explanation:
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Neither the church
nor any other party is an actor therein.
Soli Deo gloria (Glory to God Only)
All the glory is God's,
since He did all the work, not only the atonement on the Cross,
but even granting the faith which allows men to be saved by that
atonement. Each aspect of Salvation is a gift from God, and thus
all praise is His, not man's. The reformers believed that human
beings (such as the Catholic saints and popes) and their
organizations (the Church) were not worthy of the glory that was
bestowed on them.
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Committed to the Five
Solas of the Reformation
