Sola Scriptura

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

sola Scriptura. Latin for “Scripture alone.” This phrase refers to the Reformation conviction that only the Bible can serve as an ultimate authority for the church. Strictly speaking, the Reformers did not rule out church tradition as having any value, but they insisted that it be subordinate to the teachings of Scripture.

Evans, C. S. (2002). In Pocket dictionary of apologetics & philosophy of religion (p. 109). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Evans, C. S. (2002). In Pocket dictionary of apologetics & philosophy of religion (p. 109). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

On October 31, 1517, Luther published his 95 theses or statements against the Catholic church. From these 95 these came the rallying cries of the reformation. We think of the 5 solas of the reformation, or the 5 statements that ALONE mark out where we put our faith.

5 Solas of the Reformation:

By Scripture Alone

By Faith Alone

By Grace Alone

In Christ Alone

to the glory of God Alone.

sola Scriptura

sola Scriptura. Latin for “Scripture alone.” This phrase refers to the Reformation conviction that only the Bible can serve as an ultimate authority for the church. Strictly speaking, the Reformers did not rule out church tradition as having any value, but they insisted that it be subordinate to the teachings of Scripture.

Evans, C. S. (2002). In Pocket dictionary of apologetics & philosophy of religion (p. 109). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Was it the local priest? Was it the Pope?

Reformation Sunday

Today, what we’re celebrating is the 500th birthday of Luther’s declaration of his 95 theses which tradition says he nailed to the door at Wittenburg, the Reformation began. We are a product of what began 500 years ago.

At the heart of the reformation was a question of “Who, or what, had ultimate authority?”

Was it the local priest? Was it the Pope?

"A common misunderstanding is that he Reformers believed in the infallible authority of Scripture while the Roman Catholic church believed only in the infallible authority of the church and her tradition. This is a distortion of the controversy. At the time of the Reformation, both sides acknowledged the infallible authority of the Bible. The questions was this: “Is the Bible the only infallible source of special revelation?”

Early church

~ Sproul, R.C. What is Reformed Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, ©1997, p.42.

Reformers agreed there were two kinds of divine revelation: general and special.

General Revelation, sometimes called natural revelation, refers to God’s revelation of himself in nature.

This kind of revelation refers to

We live in a time where many people with tell you they feel very much in connection with God in nature. Our creator is definitely reflected in the creation - so why wouldn’t God be reflected in what we see in nature.

Psalm 19 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The reformers and authors of the Westminster Confession reminded us that nature is not enough.

The Westminster Confession of Faith Section 1

Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; (Rom. 2:14–15, Rom. 1:19–20, Ps. 19:1–3, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 2:1) yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. (1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Cor. 2:13–14) Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manner, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; (Heb. 1:1) and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: (Prov. 22:19–21, Luke 1:3–4, Rom. 15:4, Matt. 4:4,7,10, Isa. 8:19–20) which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; (2 Tim. 3:15, 2 Pet. 1:19) those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased. (Heb. 1:1–2)

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture

ALTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable;a yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation:b therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church;c and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing;d which maketh the holy scripture to be most necessary;e those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

The Westminster Confession of Faith Section 1

Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; (Rom. 2:14–15, Rom. 1:19–20, Ps. 19:1–3, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 2:1) yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. (1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Cor. 2:13–14)

There is truth that there is more that is needed. Though the mountains cry out of the glory of God - they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. So, what do we do? This section continues.

The Westminster Confession of Faith Section 1

Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manner, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; (Heb. 1:1) and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: (Prov. 22:19–21, Luke 1:3–4, Rom. 15:4, Matt. 4:4,7,10, Isa. 8:19–20) which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; (2 Tim. 3:15, 2 Pet. 1:19) those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased. (Heb. 1:1–2)

“At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith. Her it felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open.” ~ Martin Luther

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Luther remarked, “I hated the word ‘the righteousness of God.” His eyes were drawn to the term righteousness instead of to the word faith.

“At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I...began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith... Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open.” ~ Martin Luther