aAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2Ti 3:16 ESV)
In our last Newsletter, I briefly shared with you the Five-Solas. If you recall, the Five-Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged from the Protestant Reformation intended to summarize the Reformers’ basic theological principles in contrast to certain teachings of the Medieval Church of Rome during that time. Sola is Latin meaning “alone” or “only.” The phrases are:
- Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
- Sola Fide, through faith alone.
- Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
- Solus Christus, through Christ alone
- Soli Deo Gloria, to the glory of God lone.
In preparation for Reformation Sunday this October 29th (in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation), we are going to take a quick look at the Solas. The first we will look at is Sola Scriptura. Sola Scriptural simply means “by Scripture alone.” This means that Scripture is the only authority over the life of both an individual Christian and the Church. Scripture alone means the Bible is completely and authoritatively true. Scripture alone means that the Bible is the only source of special revelation, that the Bible alone speaks to man as the very voice of God. This is because only “Scripture is breathed out by God.”
This means for us that we must never add to the Bible, that nothing should ever compete with the Bible. This also means that the Bible stands in judgment over us. We do not stand in judgment over the Bible. During the Reformation, religious tradition and opinions of religious men sought to stand in judgment over the Bible. The 16th century Reformers correctly taught that the Bible stands over religious tradition and the opinions of religious men. In our day, many people believe and teach that science is the final arbiter of truth. But all Bible believing Christians believe that God’s Word is the final arbiter of truth. Science does not stand in judgment over the Bible; the Bible stands in judgement over science. This does not mean that the Bible is a science book, nor should it ever be taken as such. But the Bible does teach truth that has an impact on science. Case in point, Scripture teaches that the entire universe is a creation of God, that God stands above creation as Creator. This means that any theory of science that seeks to undermine this truth must be rejected. Why? Where Scripture speaks, it alone is the final arbiter of truth!
Thanks to God for the hope of the light of His Word!!
In Christ
Pastor Carl
Reverend G Carl Moore 