The Five Solas of the Reformation

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The historical teachings of the Reformation behind the Five Solas, comprises the basic tenets of the Reformed faith.

Scripture Alone -- Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Human traditions cannot be added to the word of God in such a way as to be binding upon the conscience.

Grace Alone -- Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast." Salvation is the work of God, not of man. Boasting is therefore excluded. We are not saved by exercising the same flesh that condemns us.

Faith Alone -- Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even 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." The law is so far from being a means of justification before God that apart from the blood of Christ the law has only a condemning ministry.

Christ Alone -- John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." We do not pray to others, in the name of others, or trust in the intercession of others than Christ.

God's Glory Alone -- Romans 11:36, "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." God's purpose and goal is his own glory.

See also:
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Sola+Scriptura&format=All
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Sola+Fide&format=All
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Sola+Gratia&format=All
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Solus+Christus&format=All
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Soli+Deo+Gloria&format=All
(Note: you may have to refresh the browser page if you get a link not found error)

For a terse, but very accurate systematic theology of all things Reformed, Berkhof is where one with deep theology interests should turn as a starting point. Below one can find online, pdf, and epub versions of his book:

https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/systematic-theology-louis-berkhof

Similarly, the short version of just the basics is found here:
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/summary-christian-doctrine-louis-berkhof

Berkhof is basically channeling his theological mentor, Bavinck, whose Reformed Dogmatics was not yet available in English when Berkhof authored his books. Bavinck's four-volume work can be obtained here:

http://www.amazon.com/Reformed-Dogmatics-4-Volume-Set/dp/0801035767/
(Note: individual volumes can be purchased separately at Amazon.com)

For a more devotional level of Reformed reading, à Brakel is the place to go:
http://www.abrakel.com/p/christians-reasonable-service.html

AMR
 
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