It is customary for Protestants to spend some time at the end of each October remembering their historical heritage. After all, that is the “anniversary” of Martin Luther’s first contribution to the Protestant Reformation. Such commemorations both are appropriate and useful.
However, infinitely more important than commemorating our heritage is this: Understanding WHY the Protestant Reformation was so necessary.
Join us for our Sunday Discipleship Hour during the month of November as we review the historical background, scriptural basis, and modern implications of the so-called Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation. Here are the dates and topics:
11/04/18 – Sola Scriptura – “Scripture Alone”
Historical Context – The roman church acknowledged three sources of truth which resulted in the binding of consciences with extra-biblical doctrines:
– Holy Scriptures
– Oral Traditions
– The Magisterium
Scriptural Basis
OT: Psalm 19:7-11
NT: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Modern Implications – Historically speaking, men like Wycliffe, Hus, and Tyndale were persecuted for trying to get the Bible into men’s hands. Today, Bibles are available in nearly every language and on the shelf of nearly every home.
Do we even care anymore? Do we read it? Do we allow it [alone] to determine our theology, worship, piety, and ethics?
11/11/18 – Solus Christus – “Christ Alone”
Historical Context – The roman church led people to trust in human mediators who were presumably a little closer to God than “ordinary” believers.
– Submission to the Pope
– Confession to the Priests
– Prayer to the Saints
Scriptural Basis
OT: Job 9:1-3, 32-33
NT: 1 Timothy 2:5
Modern Implications – Romanism continues to extol human mediators. Mary has even been elevated to the position of co-redemptrix.
Even Protestant churches have begun to soften the exclusivity of Christ’s claims as the only Mediator (John 14:6).
We must remain steadfast in our “Christ Alone” conviction so that he alone is trusted, confessed, and exalted (Phil. 2:9-11).
11/25/18 – Sola Gratia – “Grace Alone”
Historical Context – The roman church has chosen the “middle ground” between three historic understandings of man’s ability to contribute to his salvation:
– Pelagian (man has what it takes)
– Semi-Pelagian (man needs God’s help)
– Augustinian (man contributes nothing)
Scriptural Basis
OT: Psalm 14:2-3
NT: Ephesians 2:1-10
Modern Implications – Rome continues to place unwarranted confidence in the ability of man to participate in his own salvation.
Evangelicals are guilty of doing the same by promoting their “gospels” of self-esteem and self-help.
We must maintain our utter dependence upon God’s unmerited favor from beginning to end.
12/09/18 – Sola Fide – “Faith Alone”
Historical Context – The roman church claims that faith alone is not sufficient to justify man. Works are also necessary, not just as proof of the genuineness of our faith, but in this manner:
– Justification is an ongoing process
– It begins by grace and through faith
– But it is kept and increased through works
Scriptural Basis
OT: Habakkuk 2:4
NT: Romans 3:20-21
Modern Implications – Rome has officially pronounced “anathema” upon those who believe that faith alone justifies. Evangelicals sometimes give the unfortunate impression that works are indeed essential to our justification.
We must maintain our confession that a man is justified NOT by the works of the law, but by faith alone.
12/16/18 – Soli Deo Gloria – “To God Alone Be Glory”
Historical Context – The romanist system ends up ascribing glory to things other than God. Examples:
– Places and Relics
– Saints and Martyrs
– The Consecrated Host
Scriptural Basis
OT: Isaiah 42:8, 48:11
NT: Revelation 4:8-11, 5:8-14
Modern Implications – The papacy displaced the centrality of God’s glory through its forms of worship and devotion.
Evangelicals do the same by turning worship into entertainment, ministry into marketing, and preaching into a self-help seminar.
We must jealously guard God’s glory against all that threatens to steal (or even share) it.