Scripture Alone - The 5 Solas Of The Reformation (Part 1)

Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.” Martin Luther, Diet of Worms, 1521 Martin Luther’s refusal to recant raises several questions: Can the pope err? Is the pope always right/infallible? Are church councils always right? fi What is the nal authority for determining who is right? Where has God spoken infallibly? Roman Catholic Church: “God has spoken infallibly in scripture + tradition.” Reformers: “God has spoken infallibly in scripture alone.” De nitions tradition = the Roman Catholic Church’s of cal interpretation and application of scripture Sola scriptura = “only/alone scripture” fi The doctrine of sola scripture = scripture alone is infallible and is therefore the nal rule of our faith and practice Sola Scriptura was not about . . . •whether the Bible is true •whether the Bible is inspired •whether the Bible is inerrant •whether there are other spiritual authorities besides the Bible (e.g., church councils, bishops, pastors/priests) Why didn’t the Reformers believe in the infallibility of church councils? Because they knew that church councils sometimes directly contradict other church councils! What happened at the Council of Robbers in 449 A.D.? 1. The Council of Robbers reinstated the heretic Eutyches, who had been excommunicated by a local council in 448 for claiming that Jesus had only one nature (His divine nature). 2. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. reversed the Council of Robbers and clearly set forth scripture’s teaching of the two natures of Christ and re-condemned Eutychianism as a heresy. How did Luther view the church fathers and church councils? “It will not do to make articles of faith out of the holy Fathers’ words or works. Otherwise, what they ate, how they dressed, and what kinds of houses they lived in would have to become articles of faith—as has happened in the case of relics.” —Martin Luther bolding mine; The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 153. How did Luther view church councils? “This means that the Word of God shall establish articles of faith and no one else, not even an angel.” —Martin Luther The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 153. How do Protestants view church councils? Church councils can only recognise the truth in God’s Word and extract that truth into articles of faith. Church councils cannot create articles of faith. Why didn’t the Reformers believe in the infallibility of popes? 1. Pope Honorius held to the heresy of Monotheletism (the false teaching that Jesus had only one will). He and the other Monothelites were anathematised (damned to hell) in 680 A.D. by the Sixth Ecumenical Council at Constantinople. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/council-chalcedon#:~:text=In%20449%20c.e. %2C%20a%20new,robbed”%20Christ%20of%20his%20humanity. Why didn’t the Reformers believe in the infallibility of popes? 2. Between 1378 and 1417, there were two and sometimes three rival popes at the same time. Each pope condemned the other popes and their followers. This is known as the Western Schism. https://www.britannica.com/event/Western-Schism 3. In 1414, the Council of Constance deposed the Pope in Pisa, received the resignation of Pope in Rome (Gregory XII), and dismissed the claims of the Pope in Avignon, France (Benedict XIII). A fourth pope (Martin V) was elected in November 1417, which ended the Western Schism. What happens when the teachings of Popes are compared with scripture? “When the teaching of the pope is distinguished from that of the Holy Scriptures, or is compared with them, it becomes apparent that, at its best, the teaching of the pope has been taken from the imperial, pagan laws . . . as the papal decretals show.” Martin Luther The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 152. What happens when the teachings of Popes are compared with scripture? “In keeping with such teaching, instructions are given concerning the ceremonies of the churches, vestments, food, personnel, and countless other puerilities, fantasies, and follies without so much as a mention of Christ, faith, and God’s commandments.” Martin Luther The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 152. Sola Scriptura was about . . . •primarily whether the Bible is above other spiritual authorities. •secondarily whether the Bible is perspicuous (plain and clear on its central teachings). De nitions fi perspicuity = “clearness” or “plainness” Who denies the perspicuity of scripture? Roman Catholic Church The Orthodox Church Jehovah’s Witnesses Cults “Sola Scriptura, or Scripture Alone, is the heresy within Protestantism that begets all other heresies. Undoubtedly, Protestant Christians hold to this doctrine out of sincere piety, rightly insisting that the Scriptures are from God and we must trust them completely. This reverence for the Holy Scriptures is commendable.” bolding mine; https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/how-to-refute-sola-scriptura. accessed 2 August 2025 “Though in theory Protestantism does not deny Christian history and tradition, it relies on the Scriptures as the only word of authority in establishing dogma and thereby negates the in uence of the two former in practice. Sola Scriptura also falsely posits that the Scriptures are perspicuous, or translucent and easy to understand, to anyone who reads them.” bolding mine; https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/how-to-refute-sola-scriptura. accessed 2 August 2025 Is it true that Sola Scriptura “relies on the Scriptures as the only word of authority in establishing dogma and thereby negates the in uence of the two former [church history and tradition] in practice”? Technically, NO! Is it true that Sola Scriptura “relies on the Scriptures as the only word of authority in establishing dogma and thereby negates the in uence of the two former [church history and tradition] in practice”? Sola scriptura makes scripture the nal and absolute authority, not “the only word of authority.” fl Sola scriptura submits church history and tradition to the rule of scripture rather than negates them. Sola Scriptura = the Bible rules over all Scripture The Church Fathers Tradition Church Councils Culture “Though in theory Protestantism does not deny Christian history and tradition, it relies on the Scriptures as the only word of authority in establishing dogma and thereby negates the in uence of the two former in practice. Sola Scriptura also falsely posits that the Scriptures are perspicuous, or translucent and easy to understand, to anyone who reads them.” bolding mine; https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/how-to-refute-sola-scriptura. accessed 2 August 2025 Does Sola Scriptura teach that the scriptures are “easy to understand, to anyone who reads them”? Not exactly! Is scripture perspicuous? Yes. If we mean that scripture is clear and plain as to its central themes and the way of salvation. 1 John 5:13 (ESV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. Is scripture perspicuous? No. If we mean that all scripture is “easy” and also equally plain and clear in all places. 2 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV) And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. Summary of the perspicuity of scripture “Some things in the Bible are easier to understand than others, and some people understand the Bible better than others. 12 However, the things that need to be known, believed, and obeyed for salvation are so clearly taught in at least one part of the Bible that both the educated and uneducated can gain a suf cient understanding of them using normal means.” 13 12. 2 Peter 3:16 13. Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130 fi Modern English edition of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith Does Sola Scriptura teach that the scriptures are “easy to understand, to anyone who reads them”? NO! Summary of the perspicuity of scripture Some things in the Bible are easier to understand than others, and some people understand the Bible better than others. 12 12. 2 Peter 3:16 Modern English edition of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith Summary of the perspicuity of scripture However, the things that need to be known, believed, and obeyed for salvation are so clearly taught in at least one part of the Bible that both the educated and uneducated can gain a suf cient understanding of them using normal means. 13 fi 13. Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130 Psalm 19:7 (ESV) The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; Psalm 119:130 (ESV) The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Does scripture teach Sola Scriptura such that scripture alone stands over church history and tradition? Scripture alone has the quality of being “Godbreathed” and therefore infallible . . . in contrast to all other spiritual authorities. fi 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and pro table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Scriptural Support for Sola Scriptura Scripture alone is pure. All human writings contain some impurity. Psalm 12:6 (ESV) The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver re ned in a furnace on the ground, puri ed seven times. Proverbs 30:5 (ESV) Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. fi Psalm 19:8 (ESV) the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; Scriptural Support for Sola Scriptura Neither Apostles nor Angels have authority to change God’s Word. Galatians 1:8–9 (ESV) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Scriptural Support for Sola Scriptura Adding to or subtracting from God’s Word brings penalties. Matthew 5:19 (ESV) Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Scriptural Support for Sola Scriptura Adding to or subtracting from God’s Word brings penalties. Proverbs 30:6 (ESV) Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Revelation 22:18–19 (ESV) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Traditionalism: “Church tradition is our guide.” Thesis 27: They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul ies out of purgatory. fl https://www.luther.de/en/worms.html Abuses of Sola Scriptura Traditionalism: “Church tradition is our guide.” "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.” —Martin Luther https://www.luther.de/en/worms.html Does this mean that we should never listen to anything that a pope or a church council says? Matthew 23:2–3 (ESV) “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Solo scriptura “Sola Scriptura” is not the same as “Solo Scriptura.” A proper understanding of “Sola Scriptura” will not lead to an individualistic, “me and my Bible in the woods” approach to Bible interpretation. –Phil Johnson https://reformedontheweb.wordpress.com/tag/phil-johnson Abuses of Sola Scriptura Solo scriptura “Too many Christians mistake ‘Scripture alone’ as if it were a license for them to read the Bible alone—to read it apart from other people. You know the idea: ‘All I need is me and my Bible.’ But that’s not what it means. It means that Scripture is alone authoritative, not that your personal (‘alone’) interpretation of Scripture is authoritative.” —Matthew Black bolding mine; “Misreading Scripture Alone,” First Things OCTOBER 29, 2014 fi https:// rstthings.com/heresy-in-american-evangelicalism. accessed 29 July 2025 Correction of Solo Scriptura “It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others.” – C. H. Spurgeon Commenting and Commentaries (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876), 1. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola conscience “Quakerism . . . sets up the light within men, which in very deed is nothing but a natural conscience, and the spirit without the scriptures, to be a rule to men.” Thomas Boston, Works, Vol. 1, Ch. 3.1. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola conscience “Quakerism . . . sets up the light within men, which in very deed is nothing but a natural conscience, and the spirit without the scriptures, to be a rule to men. But their light is but darkness, and their spirit a spirit of darkness and delusion, if it agree not with the scriptures, Isaiah 8:20, and must be tried and examined by the scriptures, 1 John 4:1. The Quakers are a dangerous set of people that overturn the foundation of true religion.” bolding mine; Thomas Boston, Works, Vol. 1, Ch. 3.1. Isaiah 8:20 (ESV) To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. “Apart from the recorded Word of God, any light Christianity has is but darkness. So this was a favourite phrase of John Wesley’s as he sought to implement his dictum that every teaching must be tested by Scripture.” John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1–39, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1986), 238. 1 John 4:1 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. “His [John’s] warning is clear: behind every statement is a spirit, a pneuma, but not every spirit is the Spirit of God. . . . John is interested in the source of the prophetic message.” bolding mine; Daniel L. Akin, 1, 2, 3 John, vol. 38, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 170. 1 John 4:1 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. “One should not receive as true every prophetic pronouncement just because the prophets claim to speak with divine authority.” Daniel L. Akin, 1, 2, 3 John, vol. 38, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 170. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience Existentialism: “Who Needs the Bible? Religious Experience is My Guide” “For Luther, it was not just Catholicism and Individualism that presented challenges. It was also the ‘enthusiasts’ who had effectively kicked the Bible to the curb. . . . Divine encounters and direct spiritual connections to Jesus were the focus of the enthusiasts. Luther recognized the validity of religious experience, but argued that such experience should never be disconnected from the Word.” —Michael J. Kruger bolding mine; “What Exactly Is ‘Sola Scriptura’ Protecting Us Against?” Posted on May 25, 2021 https://michaeljkruger.com/what-exactly-is-sola-scriptura-protecting-us-against Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience “We must hold rmly to the conviction that God gives no one his Spirit or grace except through or with the external Word which comes before. —Martin Luther fi italics mine; Luther, Smalcald Articles, in The Book of Concord (1959), 312. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience “We must hold rmly to the conviction that God gives no one his Spirit or grace except through or with the external Word which comes before. Thus, we shall be protected from the enthusiasts—that is, from the spiritualists who boast that they possess the Spirit without and before the Word and therefore judge, interpret, and twist the Scriptures or spoken Word to their pleasure.”—Martin Luther fi italics mine; Luther, Smalcald Articles, in The Book of Concord (1959), 312. qtd. in The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 166. Why was Luther so concerned about experientialism? The Reformer Karlstadt who in Luther’s opinion “devoured the Holy Spirit feathers and all.” What did Karlstadt teach? First you encounter God through His Spirit inside yourself, and later you encounter the Word outwardly through preaching and the ordinances. bolding mine; The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 164. Luther’s response “God has determined to give the inward to no one except through the outward. . . . the oral gospel ‘is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith’ (Rom. 1:16). . . . [The devil sets about] to reverse this order.” bolding mine; The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 164. Why else was Luther so concerned about experientialism? Thomas Münster and the Zwickau Prophets What did Thomas Münster teach? claimed he was a prophet leading Germany into “the era of the Spirit” believed everything external (e.g., Scripture, gospel proclamation, the ordinances, church of ces) were “the grave clothes of the esh” (i.e., false church) encouraged the peasants to revolt against the nobility fl The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 164-6. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience “The enthusiasts of our day condemn the external Word, yet they do not remain silent but ll the world with their chattering and scribbling, as if the Spirit could not come through the Scriptures or the spoken words of the apostles but must come through their own writings and words.”—Martin Luther bolding mine; Luther, Smalcald Articles, in The Book of Concord (1959), 312. qtd. in The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 166. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience “All of this is the old devil and the old serpent who made enthusiasts of Adam and Eve. He led them from the external word of God to spiritualising and to their own imaginations, and he did this through other external words.” —Martin Luther bolding and italics mine; Luther, Smalcald Articles, in The Book of Concord (1959), 312. qtd. in The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 166. Abuses of Sola Scriptura Sola experience “Accordingly, we should and must constantly maintain that God will not deal with us except through his external Word and sacrament. Whatever is attributed to the Spirit apart from such Word and sacrament is of the devil”— Martin Luther.” bolding and italics mine; Luther, Smalcald Articles, in The Book of Concord (1959), 313. qtd. in The Legacy of Luther, ed. R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols (York, PA: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016) 167. Modern examples “The Holy Spirit told me to do . . .” but no passage is given to support that assertion. Response: Where does the Holy Spirit infallibly speak? Modern examples “The Holy Spirit has given me peace about leaving my spouse for this person at work.” Response: While you may be experiencing peace, the Holy Spirit is at war with sin and is not the source of your peace. Modern examples “I feel more spiritual out in nature than I do sitting in a church building. The Holy Spirit must be telling me to . . . ” Response 1: You are mistakenly equating your feelings with the Holy Spirit. Response 2: The Holy Spirit speaks unmistakably in scripture, which is outside of/external to me. Does the Holy Spirit lead us subjectively? 1. C.H. Spurgeon and Jonathan Edwards referred to “impressions of the Spirit.” 2. However, “impressions of the Spirit” never contradict Scripture. 3. We may be wrong about the impression. Only time will tell. 4. God wants our faith to be in His Word and His character, not in our subjective impressions. Who/what guides you? “In his journal, John Wesley says that a certain individual ‘was doubtless a pious man, but a thorough enthusiast; guided in all his steps, not by the written word, but by his own imagination; which he calls the Spirit.” How did that man turn out? “Several years later he [Wesley] had occasion to refer to this man again: ‘He was greatly devoted to God. But he was a consummate enthusiast. Not the word of God, but his own imaginations, which he took for divine inspiration, were the sole rule of both his words and actions. Hence arose his marvellous instability.’” Wesley’s analysis “Upon the whole, I do not know that I ever read a more dangerous writer; one who so wonderfully blends together truth and falsehood; solid piety and wild enthusiasm.” bolding mine; qtd. in Allan Chapple, True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality (London: The Latimer Trust, 2014), 119-20. Reformation Hymn