The Five Solae of the Reformation

Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses

to the door of the Wittenburg Church

During the Reformation, five Latin phrases emerged that summarized the Reformers’ fundamental theological beliefs. These countered the various false  teachings of the Church during these days. Worship should spring from our hearts at the mention of these five principles.

Sola means “alone” or “only.” These are the five pillars, which the Protestant Reformers believed to be essential to Christian life and practice. They became the rallying cry of the 16^th Century:

“Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone) - The Pre-Reformation Church taught that the foundation for faith and practice was a combination of the scriptures, sacred tradition, and the teachings of the magisterium and the pope; but the Reformers said, “No, our foundation is sola scriptura”. (Ps. 119:18; Ps. 138:2; 2Tim. 3:14-17)

“Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone) - The Pre-Reformation Church taught that we are saved through a combination of God's grace, the merits that we accumulate through penance and good works, and the numerous merits that the saints before us accumulated; the reformers responded, “sola gratia”. (Eph. 1:3-8)

“Sola Fide” (Faith Alone) - The Pre-Reformation Church taught that we are justified by faith and the works that we produce. The reformers responded, “No, we are justified by faith alone, which lays hold of the undeserved righteousness of Christ that God freely credits to the account of 
those who believe”. (Gal. 3:6-11)

"Solus Christus” (Christ Alone) - The Pre-Reformation 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 merits of Christ Alone, and we come to God through Christ Alone”. (1Tim. 2:5-6; Col. 1:13-18)

“Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory) - The Pre-Reformation Church adhered to what Martin Luther called the “theology of glory” (in opposition to the “theology of the cross”), in which the glory 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.” All of life should be lived to bring glory to God.
 As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." (1Cor. 10:31; 1Pet. 4:11; Rev. 1:6; 2Pet. 3:1; Eph. 3:21; Rev. 7:12; Rom. 11:36)