What "Sola" Did Jesus Teach......

[JRKH]

It seems to me that in most of the threads dealing with the various “Sola’s” a preponderence of the quotes come from epistles rather than from Gospels.

This started me thinking and looking at the Gospels for what Jesus says about Faith, Scripture, and Works. I did not get very far into Matthew but found, to my surprise, that the first item Jesus says is not a teaching on faith or scriptures, but an act, for He says to John the Baptist,

Jesus answered, "Give in for now. **We must do this **if we would fulfill all of God’s Commands.
Matthew 3:13

I know that Jesus often refers of the faith of individuals who seek healing.
He also quotes from Scripture and corrects interpretation.
But He so often speaks of acts - things we are to do or not do.

So I am asking the folks here, especially the Sola’ believers, to show me Which “Sola” Jesus taught. Or can it be shown that He did not teach ANY Sola.

This needs to be done by direct quotes of Jesus actual teachings from the Gospels and not with quotes from the Epistles.

Peace
James

 

[ralphinal]

Well, we have in John 3:5 “must be born again of water and the Spirit.” So we have a requirement to be baptised and to beleive.

Matt 19:16-22 Jesus tells us that we must follow the commandments AND give what we have to the poor and follow him. The commandments can be seen in Matt 22:37-40

Matt 25:31-46, Jesus tells us that we will be judged based on what we did, or did not do, for the poor, hungry, etc.

Mark 10:15 Jesus tells us that we must receive the Kingdom of GOd like a little child.

These were the ones that I could thinkof right off the top of my head. Jesus never taught sola anything, other than sola dedication to the Kingdom of God.

 

[JRKH]

Well, we have in John 3:5 “must be born again of water and the Spirit.” So we have a requirement to be baptised and to beleive.

Matt 19:16-22 Jesus tells us that we must follow the commandments AND give what we have to the poor and follow him. The commandments can be seen in Matt 22:37-40

Matt 25:31-46, Jesus tells us that we will be judged based on what we did, or did not do, for the poor, hungry, etc.

Mark 10:15 Jesus tells us that we must receive the Kingdom of GOd like a little child.

These were the ones that I could thinkof right off the top of my head. Jesus never taught sola anything, other than sola dedication to the Kingdom of God.

Could that be called “Sola Deus”?

 

[TriuneUnity]

Could that be called “Sola Deus”?

Soli Deo Gloria

He most certainly taught Solus Christus as well.

 

[ralphinal]

Could that be called “Sola Deus”?

God alone. I think so. It seems to be the consistant teaching to me. From what I can tell, and I am Catholic, it seems like you must love the Lord with all of your being and because of that love your neighbor as yourself. You do not love Jesus unless you keep his commandments, which include caring for others and following his teachings, which include the Church.

 

[ralphinal]

Soli Deo Gloria

He most certainly taught Solus Christus as well.

I would say that those are one in the same.

 

[TriuneUnity]

I would say that those are one in the same.

They’re all related, certainly; Solus Christus would address our grounds for salvation. “Christ alone.”

 

[ralphinal]

They’re all related, certainly; Solus Christus would address our grounds for salvation. “Christ alone.”

What would that entail? Just pushing the conversation.

 

[TriuneUnity]

What would that entail? Just pushing the conversation.

Well, it entails that the only basis for our righteousness before God is the perfect Law-keeping work of Christ, and the basis of our innocence is the atoning death of Christ, that he fully atoned for our crimes against the Law; thus He is the alone mediator between God and man.

 

[JRKH]

They’re all related, certainly; Solus Christus would address our grounds for salvation. “Christ alone.”

To get back on topic then, how would you address the original post question.
Using only Jesus Teachings recorded in the Gospels, what Sola did Jesus Teach?

(I’m glad you peeked in Triune, I hoped you would. )

Peace
James

 

[ralphinal]

Well, it entails that the only basis for our righteousness before God is the perfect Law-keeping work of Christ, and the basis of our innocence is the atoning death of Christ, that he fully atoned for our crimes against the Law; thus He is the alone mediator between God and man.

Ok. Now, again, just to push the conversation, please show the quotes from Jesus teaching this.

 

[TriuneUnity]

To get back on topic then, how would you address the original post question.
Using only Jesus Teachings recorded in the Gospels, what Sola did Jesus Teach?

(I’m glad you peeked in Triune, I hoped you would. )

Peace
James

Well…I pointed to two already, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria; it would be wrong to state he taught Sola Scriptura as Protestants hold it today because all of the Scriptura wasn’t given yet (ongoing revelation). I would argue He also taught Sola Fide, but it must be kept in mind that He was also a forceful teacher of the Law. If you don’t understand the distinction between His teachings of Law and Gospel, it won’t be easy to see this.

I think both Catholics and Protestants would agree He also taught Sola Gratia.

The problem, though, with relying solely on the words of Christ in the gospels is that the epistles interpret the work of Christ for us. So they can’t be taken in a vaccuum.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Ok. Now, again, just to push the conversation, please show the quotes from Jesus teaching this.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” - John 14:6.

“You search the Scriptures in vain, thinking that you have eternal life in them, not realizing that it is they which testify concerning me.” - John 5:39 (shows that all of revelation, and specifically, the revelation of eternal life is Christ-centered).

She will give birth to a Son; and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" - Matt. 1:21

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." - John 3:16-18

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” - John 1:29

 

[ralphinal]

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” - John 14:6.

“You search the Scriptures in vain, thinking that you have eternal life in them, not realizing that it is they which testify concerning me.” - John 5:39 (shows that all of revelation, and specifically, the revelation of eternal life is Christ-centered).

She will give birth to a Son; and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" - Matt. 1:21

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." - John 3:16-18

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” - John 1:29

Good.

Now, I would like to see how he taught sola fide. It may be best for you to define what sola fide means to you.

I don’t disagree about not using the epistles. To me, it seems like many non-Catholics use the words of Jesus to clarify the Epistles, not the other way around. Primacy should be to the Gosples.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Good.

Now, I would like to see how he taught sola fide. It may be best for you to define what sola fide means to you.

I don’t disagree about not using the epistles. To me, it seems like many non-Catholics use the words of Jesus to clarify the Epistles, not the other way around. Primacy should be to the Gosples.

Well, here I would differ slightly. Since we know that what the epistles teach are the doctrinal contents of the gospels we have to interpret the work of Christ according to those epistles (especially since that is the purpose they were written to “lead us into all truth.”) If you were to have a New Testament that only had the gospels you would lose the entire context of what exactly happened on the cross. The observer watching Christ crucified would not have realized the reality-shattering effects that it had on the human race. The only gospel, I think, that would really define it for you would be John. I could maybe agree that of the four gospels that one should be given primacy due to its purpose (“that believing in Him, we might have life in His name.”)

It’s good that you asked the meaning of Sola Fide. Of course it means “Faith Alone.” But I think it’s important to mention that it only addresses how we appropriate the work of Christ. That it is not by the works that we do, but by faith. Salvation, or justification, is by Christ alone.

 

[JRKH]

Well…I pointed to two already, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria; it would be wrong to state he taught Sola Scriptura as Protestants hold it today because all of the Scriptura wasn’t given yet (ongoing revelation). I would argue He also taught Sola Fide, but it must be kept in mind that He was also a forceful teacher of the Law. If you don’t understand the distinction between His teachings of Law and Gospel, it won’t be easy to see this.

I think both Catholics and Protestants would agree He also taught Sola Gratia.

The problem, though, with relying solely on the words of Christ in the gospels is that the epistles interpret the work of Christ for us. So they can’t be taken in a vaccuum.

I’m afraid that we are not getting the point here…

The Question is Which Sola (singular) did Jesus Teach?

How can anyone teach “multiple sola’s” since by saying Sola (whatever) one is saying (whatever) alone?

If we are saved by faith alone (Sola Fide) then that should be clearly demonstrated in Jesus Teachings. If Scripture is the Sole Source proper teachings and doctrine (Sola Scriptura) then this also should be clear in Jesus Teachings. If the most important thing is Love, (Sola Amor) then that should be clear also. By saying, as you do above, that you pointed out more than one thing, you are conceding that Jesus is not teaching any of the “Sola’s”.

Yes, the Epistles clarify and explain some of the teachings of Jesus. But when someone comes up with a single, all encompassing, this and nothing else requirement for salvation, (A Sola) we should hope to find this clearly stated From Jesus own mouth in the Gospels. We should not have to rely as a primary source, on those who are interpreting the teachings.

Peace
James

 

[ralphinal]

Well, here I would differ slightly. Since we know that what the epistles teach are the doctrinal contents of the gospels we have to interpret the work of Christ according to those epistles (especially since that is the purpose they were written to “lead us into all truth.”) If you were to have a New Testament that only had the gospels you would lose the entire context of what exactly happened on the cross. The observer watching Christ crucified would not have realized the reality-shattering effects that it had on the human race. The only gospel, I think, that would really define it for you would be John. I could maybe agree that of the four gospels that one should be given primacy due to its purpose (“that believing in Him, we might have life in His name.”)

I understand what you are saying, but I think that care must be taken to avoid placing too much emphasis on the “filler” and not enough on the actual story. One charge that Muslims make against Christians is that we are followers of Paul, not of Christ. How many times have you tried to discuss something and the other person only quotes Paul when Jesus said something just as important? FOr example, Jesus is clear that sex should only be had within the bonds of marriage, and marriage is a man and a woman. Why is that rarely quoted by Protestants when homosexual relationships are discussed?

It’s good that you asked the meaning of Sola Fide. Of course it means “Faith Alone.” But I think it’s important to mention that it only addresses how we appropriate the work of Christ. That it is not by the works that we do, but by faith. Salvation, or justification, is by Christ alone.

So, must we do anything other that have faith to get to heaven? I do not want to get into the whole “works” vs. “works of the law” debate. According to Jesus, must we do anything other than beleive?

 

[TriuneUnity]

I understand what you are saying, but I think that care must be taken to avoid placing too much emphasis on the “filler” and not enough on the actual story. One charge that Muslims make against Christians is that we are followers of Paul, not of Christ. How many times have you tried to discuss something and the other person only quotes Paul when Jesus said something just as important? FOr example, Jesus is clear that sex should only be had within the bonds of marriage, and marriage is a man and a woman. Why is that rarely quoted by Protestants when homosexual relationships are discussed?

I can’t say I disagree here, certainly. There’s a reason why the Church always stood for the reading of the gospels and the whole alleuia verse

So, must we do anything other that have faith to get to heaven? I do not want to get into the whole “works” vs. “works of the law” debate. According to Jesus, must we do anything other than beleive?

When Jesus preached the Law to His audience (such as in the sermon on the mount or to the rich young ruler) His standard was perfection according to the commandments. When Jesus preached according to the Gospel, as in His own person and work and perfection of the commandments, the standard was simply that, His person and work. Jesus didn’t preach faith alone as modern evangelicals do. He addresses faith simply as that which receives His work for sinners.

 

[ralphinal]

I can’t say I disagree here, certainly. There’s a reason why the Church always stood for the reading of the gospels and the whole alleuia verse

I thought that you would agree. Mainline Protestants always seem to.

When Jesus preached the Law to His audience (such as in the sermon on the mount or to the rich young ruler) His standard was perfection according to the commandments. When Jesus preached according to the Gospel, as in His own person and work and perfection of the commandments, the standard was simply that, His person and work. Jesus didn’t preach faith alone as modern evangelicals do. He addresses faith simply as that which receives His work for sinners.

So, what must we do, according to Jesus, to get to heaven?

 

[TriuneUnity]

I thought that you would agree. Mainline Protestants always seem to.

Nah…I have far more respect and love for the liturgy than most mainline’s. Except for the incense…I hate incense.

So, what must we do, according to Jesus, to get to heaven?

We must keep the Law perfectly. Since we can’t, there’s nothing we can “do” to get to heaven. It’s already been done for us, by Christ. Faith is simply trusting that it already has been done for us.