THE "SOLAS"

Excerpt from WWN 2(97)

When we as Adventists look at the conflict over the Gospel, we get hung up on certain terms that are used by those opposed to the Tridentine formula of the Council of Trent. These terms growing out of the Reformation are - sola fide: "by faith alone;" sola gratia: "by grace alone;" sola Christi: "through Christ alone." The formula which associates these terms states that one is justified "by grace alone through faith alone, because of Christ alone." Neuhaus, in his dialogue with Evangelicals, avers that this is a sixteenth century theological construct (E&CT, p. 200). When it originated is at the moment immaterial. It does express the distinct difference between the Tridentine position of Rome, and the Everlasting Gospel. The question of primary concern is; Is this formula, and the terms used in it, Scriptural? This we need to carefully check. Let us start with the source of redemption - "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (Rom. 3:24)

Is it - sola Christi? Jesus Himself declared - "No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6) Peter affirmed "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Neither by any earthly priestly intercession, nor works of righteousness which I might do, am I awarded salvation - it is through Christ alone - sola Christi.

Through what medium does it come? Paul wrote to Titus - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (2:11) It was "God [who] commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) It is this grace - God's grace - by which we are justified freely. "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross, I cling." It is sola gratia.

How do I respond to the provision of God? I believe. In the Greek, this is the translation of the verb form of the noun, faith. In English there is no verb for "faith." "For by grace are ye saved through faith." (Eph. 2:8) Paul said to Peter - "We have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Gal 2:16) Jesus Christ is even the author of saving faith. (Heb. 12:2) Sola fide expresses this concept of Scripture.

All - the source: "the grace of God;" the provision: "the redemption in Christ Jesus;" and the means of appropriation: "the faith of Jesus" - are outside of man, and come solely (sola) from God.

That men would pervert the once for all atoning sacrifice of Calvary and turn it to mean "once saved always saved," does not nullify the truth of Scripture that we are justified by grace alone, through the exercise of faith alone, in the redemption found only in Christ Jesus. Let the anathemas of the Council of Trent fall; let the compromises being forged to efface the Reformation teaching on justification take place, we need to determine as did Luther, "Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God." "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Gal. 5:5)