Over the next couple of weeks I will be publishing short articles which were written for a church newsletter..... This is the first in the Sola series. Unlike most of what I produce, these articles are brief and simple. In some cases I would say a great deal more and may in fact differ (to some extent) with what I've written.
But the purpose was not to make an argument but rather to touch on the issues of historical theology and (at most) raise a few points of consideration.
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During the centuries we call the Middle Ages, the gospel was obscured, if not buried under a mountain of tradition and theology driven more by philosophy, than a faithful reflection of Scriptural teaching. While the New Testament teaches baptism and the Early Church clearly placed a great deal of stock in the Lord's Supper, over time these simple rites were transformed into complex rituals, and many more were added to the list. Repentance became confused with penances and to this was added pilgrimages, the veneration of relics, the cult of saints, and so much more. By the time we reach the Middle Ages, the gospel of grace taught in the New Testament was all but lost. The average Catholic believed that through the ministrations of the priests, the various rituals, and after a season of suffering in purgatory, they would at last be granted access to heaven and the Divine Presence. The gospel was no longer one of grace but of man-made works and the traditions of men.
With the Renaissance (or Re-birth) of the 1400's, things began to change. The Scriptures were studied anew, and finally in the sixteenth century a great breakthrough occurred. Men like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin in revisiting the Scriptures rediscovered the gospel of grace as taught in the New Testament.
The Protestant Reformation would utilize numerous slogans - sometimes referred to as the 'Solas' - the Latin term for 'alone'. Sola Fide (or Faith Alone) is probably the best known, but there others. And Sola Gratia (or Grace Alone) is just as critical for it is the foundation upon which our faith must rest. Grace is God's unmerited favour, he shows not only mercy but love and blessing in the face of our defiance and sinful nature. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). And contrary to the system of man-made rituals and works of Roman Catholicism, the Reformation taught that we are saved by grace alone. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. For it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In the centuries following, there have been many disputes with some over-emphasizing grace and forgetting that Paul also said - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). And likewise some have so emphasized grace that they neglect the means that God has ordained - the role of Church, the sacraments, and things like prayer. These are the means God uses to administer His grace.
The doctrine of Grace Alone is in some respects a simple concept and yet at the same time a profound and glorious truth that we should treasure, one that makes little sense to the world, nor does it satisfy our prideful flesh. God is the author of our salvation. We do not save ourselves but must rest in Him and in the person and work of Christ. It is by Christ's death that our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God. Christ did not deserve death but was put to death on our behalf and became sin for us - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
From start to finish we are saved by God's grace - not by works, not by our efforts, or through rites or traditions. The Reformation re-captured this truth and we would do well to reflect on it. Salvation is a gift given by Grace Alone or Sola Gratia. Praise be to God.