Catholic Response to the Five Solas

[ryanmac]

Are you aware of any book offering a Catholic response to the five solas?

I’ve seen many responses to Sola Scriptura & Sola Fide, but not all five in one place. Ideally the book would highlight the agreements, disagreements, unity and misunderstandings.

Articles may be fine too.

Thanks.

• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
• Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

 

[tjm190]

• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)- The Church chose what to place in the Bible- are they less trustworthy now than then?
• Sola fide (“by faith alone”)- James 2:24-26
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)- If this were true, wouldn’t everyone go to heaven?
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

Not familiar with those last two

 

[ryanmac]

Thanks. But I get what they are an common responses to the first two. Just hoping for a Catholic reference that deals with all five. Like “Not by Scripture Alone” but for all five.

 

[John_one_one]

Thanks. But I get what they are an common responses to the first two. Just hoping for a Catholic reference that deals with all five. Like “Not by Scripture Alone” but for all five.

If no one is going to reply I"ll put my 2 cents in.
To place it in a nut shell “less the endless debate”
the answer is sola catholic church to all 5.

You start with the CC version of Mat 16:18 and interpret the NT threw this lens in spite of all the contrary evidence. The CC will never say otherwise, its locked itself into a trap of its own making, claiming that it is infallible. No amount of evidence will ever change this, it will take God Himself.

Just look into the tread Geocentric Universe. Like I said no amount of evidence will change the statement it made about the earth being the center of the solar system, simply because of the box they have made for themselves. I am of the opinion after reading many topics in the Apologetics forum that catholics are all over the board when it comes to what they actually believe. An example is Gen some say it literal some say its figurative or symbolic, yet the common denominator is they all claim the CC is perfect “infallible”. Quote the CC is the complete deposit of salvation aside of it there is no salvation.

As the CC has moved into modern times and mans understanding and literacy has sky rocketed the CC has remanded very quite since the mid 1800s, since the Mary doctrine became dogma. It has even attempted to smooth over some of the old wounds in Vatican II, even shallow apologizes threw John Paul with language that doesn’t compromise there infallible position. What I find amazing is in all the difference of opinions about what the CC really teaches among its members, it could all be resolved in this modern day, all the pope has to do is stand up and open his mouth but he doesn’t, why I believe it would cause to great a division and chaos in the CC. Apparently its better to just let the members wade threw the cataclysm and express as many different opinions as they claim their are protestant churches. Protestants understand that differences in opinions between men will always be present even when it comes to God but they embrace the foundation principals of the 5 solas of the Reformatiom. The CC rejects them all.

3 Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8

4 Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5
Its between you and Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Its not you threw the pope, Mary or some priest then Jesus. Or even some special place or RCC as Jesus told this woman. Men worship in the Spirit directly threw Jesus, this is what is pleasing to the Father.

20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

5 Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)
I could comment on this a lot but lets just say giving thanks and “veneration” to Mary and others for interceding see the above verse in #4. Also taking what is Jesus alone and applying it to your own personal office. The CC claims with out them the written word of God “the bible” would not exists.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35

 

[ryanmac]

Thanks John. That is also a helpful reply. But I’m hoping to find a book or article that covers the solas to pass on to Protestant friends who always bring them up. I’ve responded like you but would love to find a book titled something like “revisiting the five solas of the reformation: a catholic response”. If this doesn’t exist yet, would you care to write it and send me a copy?

 

[John_one_one]

Buy the way being saved and receiving the HS is no easy task in this this day and age IMO.
Everyone has heard about Jesus and all the preconceived notions. You really need to pray listen to everyone and study the bible then listen some more comparing what you find with scripture then seek some more.
Seek and you shall find knock and door will be opened unto you. Getting to that door takes a sincere heart and a mind diligently seeking the truth.

 

[ryanmac]

A friend pointed me to Louis Bouyer’s The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism.

I get it on Tuesday and will report back any findings.

In the meantime, please continue to share resources you’ve come across.

 

[puppypatrol]

Are you aware of any book offering a Catholic response to the five solas?

I’ve seen many responses to Sola Scriptura & Sola Fide, but not all five in one place. Ideally the book would highlight the agreements, disagreements, unity and misunderstandings.

Articles may be fine too.

Thanks.

• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
• Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

Try the book from Catholic Answers, “The Essential Catholic Survival Guide” I just got 2 copies, one for myself and one for my church library. It is excellent. Actually, my priest begged me for one of my copies.

The book, “The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith” by John Salza is also very good although it may not address the above specifically but the only one it doesn’t address that I can see is “Glory to God alone”. If by God alone, you mean God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, then for Catholics that is just a no brainer.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Are you aware of any book offering a Catholic response to the five solas?

I’ve seen many responses to Sola Scriptura & Sola Fide, but not all five in one place. Ideally the book would highlight the agreements, disagreements, unity and misunderstandings.

Articles may be fine too.

Thanks.

This is kind of tricky because the last three are actually directly tied to Sola Fide.
Really, it’s only Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide.

Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)

The Bible itself never says the Scriptures are the only authority for determining doctrine, which is refutation enough. There are plenty of resources on this issue.

Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

This article on Ephesians 2:8 should get you up to speed here:
catholicdefense.googlepages.com/eph2

What is extremely important to realize is that it is not the ‘surface level’ meanings of these phrases that Catholics object to, but rather what the Protestant means by them is where the problem is.

Catholics have nothing against “faith” or “grace” or “Christ” or “Glory to God.” Catholics could even add the word “alone” to all those and still have an orthodox Catholic understanding of them. The problem with the approach of using those terms is that they mean very different things to Catholics and Protestants, so it is not advised that a Catholic should use them due to the risk of blurring the real and serious differences. That is “Protestant terminology” which is best left to describe their teachings.

Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

This one is really a non issue, because Catholics and Protestants both agree everything is ultimately done for the glory of God. A famous Catholic slogan (often abbreviated AMDG) is “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” which means “To the Greater Glory of God!”

 

[MarcoPolo]

I haven’t exhaustively looked over this site, but seems to address what you’re looking for.

protestanterrors.com/

If you are into apologetics, it does indeed help to know where your opponent goes wrong. I will stress that an apologist is one who defends his own faith. I think you can best refute, say, the Protestant understanding of sola fide, by explaining the Catholic position positively: like why faith without works is dead, as James says.

 

[paul_c]

If no one is going to reply I"ll put my 2 cents in.
To place it in a nut shell “less the endless debate”
the answer is sola catholic church to all 5.

You start with the CC version of Mat 16:18 and interpret the NT threw this lens in spite of all the contrary evidence. The CC will never say otherwise, its locked itself into a trap of its own making, claiming that it is infallible. No amount of evidence will ever change this, it will take God Himself.

Just look into the tread Geocentric Universe. Like I said no amount of evidence will change the statement it made about the earth being the center of the solar system, simply because of the box they have made for themselves. I am of the opinion after reading many topics in the Apologetics forum that catholics are all over the board when it comes to what they actually believe. An example is Gen some say it literal some say its figurative or symbolic, yet the common denominator is they all claim the CC is perfect “infallible”. Quote the CC is the complete deposit of salvation aside of it there is no salvation.

As the CC has moved into modern times and mans understanding and literacy has sky rocketed the CC has remanded very quite since the mid 1800s, since the Mary doctrine became dogma. It has even attempted to smooth over some of the old wounds in Vatican II, even shallow apologizes threw John Paul with language that doesn’t compromise there infallible position. What I find amazing is in all the difference of opinions about what the CC really teaches among its members, it could all be resolved in this modern day, all the pope has to do is stand up and open his mouth but he doesn’t, why I believe it would cause to great a division and chaos in the CC. Apparently its better to just let the members wade threw the cataclysm and express as many different opinions as they claim their are protestant churches. Protestants understand that differences in opinions between men will always be present even when it comes to God but they embrace the foundation principals of the 5 solas of the Reformatiom. The CC rejects them all.

3 Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8

4 Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5
Its between you and Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Its not you threw the pope, Mary or some priest then Jesus. Or even some special place or RCC as Jesus told this woman. Men worship in the Spirit directly threw Jesus, this is what is pleasing to the Father.

5 Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)
I could comment on this a lot but lets just say giving thanks and “veneration” to Mary and others for interceding see the above verse in #4. Also taking what is Jesus alone and applying it to your own personal office. The CC claims with out them the written word of God “the bible” would not exists.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35

John,
You have a lot to learn about Catholics and the Catholic faith. It is good that you are on this website because it will allow you to learn the truth.
First, recognize that the Bible is a catholic teaching tool. It is not the only source of enlightenment on the teachings of Christ. Remember, The Church existed for perhaps 2 decades before any of it was written down and for 4 centuries before the Canon was fully defined. Prior to the printing press, a book could cost as much as a farm so only the church and the very wealthy could have a copy. Teaching the way to heaven, was verbal. Jesus never wrote anything that we know of, right? Sola Scriptura is simply the fallback to those that have abandonned the tradition of the church and thus have nothing else to fall back on.

As for Faith alone, this heresy was dealt with specifically in the second chapter of St. James epistle. Faith without works is dead. Hard for any Bible scholar to refute that in its simplicity. there are dozens of places in the new testament that say we will be judged based on our actions. Faith alone is simply the rallying cry for those that don’t want to be held responsible for their sins. That delusion will not change the truth on judgement day.

As for grace alone. Sure, we are saved by God’s Grace. But we have to cooperate with God’s grace to reach heaven… God gives us the choice of our final destination by his love. We are not preprogrammed robots.

Sola Christus : Salvation through Christ is fine. Except when you deny that others can help you find him. This was the rallying cry against the Church by those that wanted to get to heaven their own way, instead of the way that Christ taught. Sure, they will pull out their bibles and interpret things the way they would like to be, one line at a time, ignoriing all the inconvenient passages. The Church was founded by Jesus to pass on the truths of his love and the way to salvation. It was also established to administer the sacraments, visible signs of grace. Those that deny these points, are denying scripture.

5 Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”):
Venerating the saints as examples for us to follow in no way diminishes God’s glory. God’s glory can not be diminished. Instead, veneration of the saints help us to find his Glory through the actions of those that lived as Christ desired.

Your statement that there is a difference in understanding of what Christ teaches among Catholics is an uninformed one. If you continue to read this website, you will find uniformity of understanding of Catholic doctrine by (name removed by moderator)utters from across the world. Afterall, we have one teaching authority and ample resources to train anyone interested in that training. The Catholic positions are very well documented, consistent,and well understood by the truly faithful. Granted, there are many who claim to be Catholic that don’t really know or practice their faith. This is true of all faiths.

 

[ryanmac]

Thanks for all the feedback. I actually didn’t intend for this thread to respond to the solas, but rather point me to a resource that responds to all five in one volume (or article).

As I expected there are tons of resources that focus on sola scriptura and sola fide, but very few on the other three, and so far I have yet to find one that touches all five.

Seems like a great topic for one of the many authors here on CA to tackle! I’ll buy the first copy!

 

[paul_c]

Thanks for all the feedback. I actually didn’t intend for this thread to respond to the solas, but rather point me to a resource that responds to all five in one volume (or article).

As I expected there are tons of resources that focus on sola scriptura and sola fide, but very few on the other three, and so far I have yet to find one that touches all five.

Seems like a great topic for one of the many authors here on CA to tackle! I’ll buy the first copy!

You know, if you really want to discuss the 5 solas, it is easiest to simply focus on what they are arguing against. They are all focused on personal authority versus the authority of the church, without personal responsibility. And they all cleaverly twist the truth to attack the Catholic Church. Satan loves the 5 solas because they lead people away from doing God’s will and from helping each other and particularly away from the Catholic church, which is charged with teaching the world the truth about Christ and salvation.

sola Scriptura allows each man to be his own authority
Sola fide and sola Grace allows men to avoid the responisiblity of his actions, through the cleaver attributibution of everything to God
Christ Alone and Glory to God alone, are simply cleaver ways to argue against the Church and its Saints being able to help people get to heaven.

 

[John_one_one]

John,
You have a lot to learn about Catholics and the Catholic faith. It is good that you are on this website because it will allow you to learn the truth.
First, recognize that the Bible is a catholic teaching tool. It is not the only source of enlightenment on the teachings of Christ. Remember, The Church existed for perhaps 2 decades before any of it was written down and for 4 centuries before the Canon was fully defined. Prior to the printing press, a book could cost as much as a farm so only the church and the very wealthy could have a copy. Teaching the way to heaven, was verbal. Jesus never wrote anything that we know of, right? Sola Scriptura is simply the fallback to those that have abandonned the tradition of the church and thus have nothing else to fall back on.

As for Faith alone, this heresy was dealt with specifically in the second chapter of St. James epistle. Faith without works is dead. Hard for any Bible scholar to refute that in its simplicity. there are dozens of places in the new testament that say we will be judged based on our actions. Faith alone is simply the rallying cry for those that don’t want to be held responsible for their sins. That delusion will not change the truth on judgement day.

As for grace alone. Sure, we are saved by God’s Grace. But we have to cooperate with God’s grace to reach heaven… God gives us the choice of our final destination by his love. We are not preprogrammed robots.

Sola Christus : Salvation through Christ is fine. Except when you deny that others can help you find him. This was the rallying cry against the Church by those that wanted to get to heaven their own way, instead of the way that Christ taught. Sure, they will pull out their bibles and interpret things the way they would like to be, one line at a time, ignoriing all the inconvenient passages. The Church was founded by Jesus to pass on the truths of his love and the way to salvation. It was also established to administer the sacraments, visible signs of grace. Those that deny these points, are denying scripture.

5 Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”):
Venerating the saints as examples for us to follow in no way diminishes God’s glory. God’s glory can not be diminished. Instead, veneration of the saints help us to find his Glory through the actions of those that lived as Christ desired.

Your statement that there is a difference in understanding of what Christ teaches among Catholics is an uninformed one. If you continue to read this website, you will find uniformity of understanding of Catholic doctrine by (name removed by moderator)utters from across the world. Afterall, we have one teaching authority and ample resources to train anyone interested in that training. The Catholic positions are very well documented, consistent,and well understood by the truly faithful. Granted, there are many who claim to be Catholic that don’t really know or practice their faith. This is true of all faiths.

After you addressed the 5 solas you left out the part that to be saved you have to be a member of the sola church. According to you without the sola catholic church there is no salvation right? I believe I made that distinction from the beginning.

If no one is going to reply I"ll put my 2 cents in.
To place it in a nut shell “less the endless debate”
the answer is sola catholic church to all 5.

First, recognize that the Bible is a catholic teaching tool

Roughly translated only the catholic magistrate know what the bible says and means.
Funny the bible says that’s the HS job.

It “the bible” is not the only source of enlightenment on the teachings of Christ.

The bible is inadequate for salvation. You cant believe the bible see above “catholic magistrate”

As for Faith alone, this heresy was dealt with specifically in the second chapter of St. James epistle. Faith without works is dead.

The action of works that are acceptable to God come after faith. Works aside of faith are useless, there for works do not make faith but rather works are the result of faith. You dont work yourself into faith.

Venerating the saints as examples for us to follow in no way diminishes God’s glory. God’s glory can not be diminished. Instead, veneration of the saints help us to find his Glory through the actions of those that lived as Christ desired.

All I can say is good luck, “Venerating” it like coining another word for worship or praying to, to request the same thing you can just as easily ask or go to Jesus for. Like I said good luck with that one, hail Mary.

Salvation through Christ is fine. Except when you deny that others can help you find him. This was the rallying cry against the Church by those that wanted to get to heaven their own way, instead of the way that Christ taught.

People that the Lord works threw know good and well it not themselves that make the seed grow. We can till the ground, plant the seed and water it, but only God can make it grow He breaths the breath of life into it “the HS” Of course the catholic church thinks that it is the exclusive distributor of the HS, Jesus did not even make that claim. He said I shall ask the Father and he will send the HS. To my knowledge no one else holds Jesus office or ever will. But you also believe differently. When you get right down to it you think the catholic church is god. I guess the Apostles forgot to mention that.

Yep you pretty well have it all locked up you control the Father Son and HS. Wrote the bible and claim or do as you please. If anyone disagrees its to hell with you in Latin.
By Joe I have it now you are god.

 

[ryanmac]

Hey all, any chance to leave the debate about the solas for other threads? There are TONS of other threads dealing with the solas individually and is much better suited for debate.

I’m only (sola? ) looking for resources (articles, websites, books, etc.) that deal with all five solas from a Catholic perspective.

Thanks in advance for understanding.

 

[flower_lady]

John,
You have a lot to learn about Catholics and the Catholic faith. It is good that you are on this website because it will allow you to learn the truth.
First, recognize that the Bible is a catholic teaching tool. It is not the only source of enlightenment on the teachings of Christ. Remember, The Church existed for perhaps 2 decades before any of it was written down and for 4 centuries before the Canon was fully defined. Prior to the printing press, a book could cost as much as a farm so only the church and the very wealthy could have a copy. Teaching the way to heaven, was verbal. Jesus never wrote anything that we know of, right? Sola Scriptura is simply the fallback to those that have abandonned the tradition of the church and thus have nothing else to fall back on.

As for Faith alone, this heresy was dealt with specifically in the second chapter of St. James epistle. Faith without works is dead. Hard for any Bible scholar to refute that in its simplicity. there are dozens of places in the new testament that say we will be judged based on our actions. Faith alone is simply the rallying cry for those that don’t want to be held responsible for their sins. That delusion will not change the truth on judgement day.

As for grace alone. Sure, we are saved by God’s Grace. But we have to cooperate with God’s grace to reach heaven… God gives us the choice of our final destination by his love. We are not preprogrammed robots.

Sola Christus : Salvation through Christ is fine. Except when you deny that others can help you find him. This was the rallying cry against the Church by those that wanted to get to heaven their own way, instead of the way that Christ taught. Sure, they will pull out their bibles and interpret things the way they would like to be, one line at a time, ignoriing all the inconvenient passages. The Church was founded by Jesus to pass on the truths of his love and the way to salvation. It was also established to administer the sacraments, visible signs of grace. Those that deny these points, are denying scripture.

5 Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”):
Venerating the saints as examples for us to follow in no way diminishes God’s glory. God’s glory can not be diminished. Instead, veneration of the saints help us to find his Glory through the actions of those that lived as Christ desired.

Your statement that there is a difference in understanding of what Christ teaches among Catholics is an uninformed one. If you continue to read this website, you will find uniformity of understanding of Catholic doctrine by (name removed by moderator)utters from across the world. Afterall, we have one teaching authority and ample resources to train anyone interested in that training. The Catholic positions are very well documented, consistent,and well understood by the truly faithful. Granted, there are many who claim to be Catholic that don’t really know or practice their faith. This is true of all faiths.

Oh, thank you so much for this information. Seek and you shall find the truth. I just did. God bless you!

 

[JoeT777]

Are you aware of any book offering a Catholic response to the five solas?

I’ve seen many responses to Sola Scriptura & Sola Fide, but not all five in one place. Ideally the book would highlight the agreements, disagreements, unity and misunderstandings.

Articles may be fine too.

Thanks.

• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
• Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

In the response to the five-sola(s) I’ve asked how you have five individual one things that saves. I have never understood how one has a faith for the purpose of standing alone?

JoeT

 

[icamhif]

In the response to the five-sola(s) I’ve asked how you have five individual one things that saves. I have never understood how one has a faith for the purpose of standing alone?

JoeT

As a former Protestant inquiring into Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I’ll explain:

One way to explain the Five Solas is this:
"By the authority of Scripture alone, we preach that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone.

The prepositions that precede each “Sola” are important, for they tell what role they play in salvation. I’ll explain each preposition, as follows:

Sola Gratia: we cannot save ourselves, so God alone is the initiator of our salvation. In that sense, we are only saved by His grace.

Sola Fide: faith is the “channel” upon which we receive God’s grace for the gift of salvation. No amount of good works can merit salvation. In that sense, we are saved through faith alone.

Sola Christus: Christ is the only mediator upon which man can be saved, for only He died for our sins. In that sense, we are saved in the name of Christ alone.

Sola De Gloria: Ultimately, the purpose of our salvation is to behold the glory of God. In that sense, we are saved for His glory alone.

As for Sola Scriptura, Protestants believe that the Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith and practice (excluding oral traditions by Apostolic Succession). Therefore, their only visible and infallible “channel” of hearing God’s message is from the Scriptures. In that sense, they preach the Gospel by the authority of Scripture alone.

The Five Solas don’t contradict each other. They simply explain different roles. Of course, they are wrong in their own right (no pun intended), but they don’t contradict each other.

Hope that helps,

Ike

 

[icamhif]

Sorry, double post

 

[JoeT777]

As a former Protestant inquiring into Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I’ll explain:

One way to explain the Five Solas is this:
"By the authority of Scripture alone, we preach that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone.

The prepositions that precede each “Sola” are important, for they tell what role they play in salvation. I’ll explain each preposition, as follows:

Sola Gratia: we cannot save ourselves, so God alone is the initiator of our salvation. In that sense, we are only saved by His grace.

Sola Fide: faith is the “channel” upon which we receive God’s grace for the gift of salvation. No amount of good works can merit salvation. In that sense, we are saved through faith alone.

Sola Christus: Christ is the only mediator upon which man can be saved, for only He died for our sins. In that sense, we are saved in the name of Christ alone.

Sola De Gloria: Ultimately, the purpose of our salvation is to behold the glory of God. In that sense, we are saved for His glory alone.

As for Sola Scriptura, Protestants believe that the Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith and practice (excluding oral traditions by Apostolic Succession). Therefore, their only visible and infallible “channel” of hearing God’s message is from the Scriptures. In that sense, they preach the Gospel by the authority of Scripture alone.

The Five Solas don’t contradict each other. They simply explain different roles. Of course, they are wrong in their own right (no pun intended), but they don’t contradict each other.

Hope that helps,

Ike

By ‘Scripture alone’ do we understand the BOOK is what saves us? If so shouldn’t one worship the BOOK that saves? Do you worship BOOK? If BOOK is indeed alone why is there a need for ‘Grace alone’? If the BOOK needs grace inorder to save, how then does it ‘save alone’? And if ‘grace alone’ saves what is the function is Scripture? Since ‘faith alone’ saves, what need is there of Christ? If there is a need of Christ then shouldn’t that be sufficient for salvation, didn’t Christ pay for our sins? If payment is made, why does one need to know the anonymous donor; once the debt is paid what more do I need? If we understand ‘Christ alone’ means sacraments and priests aren’t necessary, why then do Scripture suggest otherwise? Does Scripture alone fail to explain how to produce Christ on demand, unless you are conflating Christ with the Holy Spirit? If so could we ask, ‘is the Holy Spirit and Christ two different Persons or just one Person in two different modes of appearance? If all Glory is God’s and Christ’s Kingdom is meaningless, why did He tell His disciples to ‘preach the Kingdom’? Did Christ come to hang himself on a cross,ascend to heaven saying ‘adios amigos’? If here is no Kingdom, how then do we receive the sacraments, who keeps the meaning of Scripture, and the traditions mentioned in Scripture? But, let’s circle back around to the beginning, if the only authority in this chain of only(s) includes the BOOK, which verse states Scripture is the sole and infallible rule of faith? Wouldn’t you expect a Divine faith ought to be taught divinely? And if none of us is divine then are we to hear a BOOK alone fallibly?

I’d suggest the five solas are intended to subjugate the will of God to the will of man. Protestantism and reformism was and is the synthesis of its own traditional morals for the making of an autonomous per-determined faith. Inherent in schism is a dead faith holding that each individual can subjectively determine God’s will as prescribed by the ‘five sola’s’. Each ‘sola’ claims it own presumptive self-anointed salvation in which one compels God to save. Faith however seems to demand more of us other than ‘knowing’ a thing hoped for but not yet obtained. Faith contains a certain element of fidelity, subjecting one’s will to God’s will. Which is contrary to the doctrine of five solas, free thinkers decide for themselves how God will save them.

However, as Fr. Felix Sarda y Salvany said, “Free-thought begets free morals, or immorality.” [Liberalism Is A Sin.] Ultimately the Protestant five solas comes into conflict with Truth. Right and wrong become subjective; morality and integrity become matters of positive law, as opposed to Divine Law. The trait is exhibited in an autonomous authority of one’s self having the “freedom from” doctrine as well as “freedom to define doctrine” allowing the implementation of proxy morals independent of God’s will, e.g. abortion, devoice etc. As such the moral virtues distinguishing right and wrong become subjective differing from individual to individual. It’s no surprise when we hear the refrain “it might be wrong for you but its right for me.” Look closely at those allied to Protestantism; all 35,000 (plus a few odd denominations), say it’s right for me, it’s right for them (the few odd denominations), but the Catholics are damned. These ideologies become progressively independent of God’s authority, eventually, no longer needing God or His Church for its authority. This is evidenced by the number of independent non-denominational Christian Churches.

Catholics on the other hand have a sole and infallible rule of faith with three principle axioms; Scripture, Tradition, and Church. The principle of Church can be broken down into several corollaries making up ‘Church’; of these are the body faithful, the Bishops, the Church Councils and Synods, the Church Fathers, the Pope, miracles, along with natural reason. These principles provide a uniform and objective measure of that faith, whereby the faithful can equate good and discern evil. All these principles of a sole and infallible rule of faith stand together and work together.

JoeT