bible outlook

The Five Solas were formed as a result of the Reformation to reflect the teachings of the Bible. This set of beliefs was held by most fundamentalists at the time, especially by reformed theologians, including Martin Luther and his successor, John Calvin. Calvin would develop his theology after what Luther wrote in his book, The Bondage of the Will.

While most people adhere to free will, the Five Solas could determine the right position to take despite the differences within the Protestant Church. They might align with the theology that Calvin taught on divine providence, the idea that God controls everything. If Luther discovered his belief in the Solas beforehand, with his book against Erasmus (who also supported free will), why would he not affirm what Calvin taught later?

Despite the conflict between Lutherans and Calvinists, the reformers agreed that the Church of Rome did not comply with what is necessary to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Though other reformers down the road would have doctrinal differences, they maintained these essential points of Christianity.

 Sola Scriptura

Sola Scriptura teaches us the laws of God, including the ten commandments but saves us from the consequences of sin and death. It prevents us from being controlled by evil forces with a way to guide us through, by gaining knowledge of his word. Scripture alone directs us to do his will and to overcome the dark powers of this world. Although Satan is the ruler of this world, his only power is to deceive. His greatest weapon is mixing the truth with lies — causing people to be misled by seducing spirits, wicked schemes and doctrines of demons — but it became coherent through biblical exegesis.

Centuries went by before the Bible could be interpreted in the vernacular. To literate the Bible for people to learn more, Luther, along with William Tyndale and his partner Myles Coverdale, brought their translations to native regions, each under siege by the emperor and king. When Luther spoke to the emperor at Worms, saying, “Here I stand as I can do no other,” he refused to recant his writings to forward his theology.

Sola Fide and Gratia

He made known that a person receives grace through faith based on his merit and sacrifice that took place at Calvary. If you rely on yourself and try to earn your way to heaven, that would be a form of legalism and not relative faith. Legalism tries to steer you in a different direction by striving for perfection, only to leave you back on the road you started on, without true repentance. In order to find real perfection, you allow him to free you from the law without trying to establish your own righteousness. Because of our sinful nature, faith and repentance, as we should know, work together as two sides of the same coin; that one cannot be separate without the other.

 Until the reformers came along, most people would never have discovered it found in the scriptures: “That a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith alone” (Galatians 2:15).

Christ Alone as the Mediator

Sola Christus represents the son who came to replace us from the sin we committed through Adam. As a result of his completed work, we come to the knowledge of him through a self-revelation or in being drawn by the father. Since we cannot comprehend the trinity or why evil occurs, we might find whether the universe is governed by God or the possibility of chance.

To understand the fullness of God’s sovereignty, evil can never step in the way of his plan. If everything were to be by chance, then choice would prevent his will from happening all too often. Jesus would not have gone to the cross if Judas hadn’t betrayed him; how would God have no say in it, especially if Judas was one of his own people?

The Five Solas, which maintain that all things happen according to the counsel of his will, do apply to the reformed position.

Calvinism’s Theory

Considering what Calvinism teaches, we should note that in the Bible, it says, “He was a ransom for all in due time” (1 Timothy 2:6). However, it says he was a ransom for many in Mark 10-45, for if it were unto all, everyone would go free in a universal doctrine. What then did he accomplish as a substitute for all when evil and unbelief do exist in the world? The ransom that he paid, of what would be for all in proper timing, was to inform his elect in our past, present and future age.

Two sides of the same coin:

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase, but where sin has increased, grace has increased all the more (see Romans 5:20).