S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The five solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation that emphasized the distinctions between the early Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. The word sola is the ...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Vincent Mercado Supporter Skeptic turned believer, Catholic, father of 3

The five solas are the battle cry of the Protestants against the Roman Catholic Church. 

1. Sola scriptura: "Scripture alone"
2. Sola fide: "faith alone"
3. Sola gratia: "grace alone"
4. Solo Christo: "Christ alone"
5. Soli Deo gloria: "to the glory of God alone"

Interestingly, the Church agrees with solae #3, #4 and #5 and are not contrary to Catholic doctrine. Solae #2 is already resolved with The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, in year 1999. 

As for Solae #1, the Church cannot agree with the Protestants because she clearly understands the origin and proper use of the Bible. First, the Bible came from the Church, hence the term "Bible-based church" is a misnomer. Second, that Bible and Tradition are the two sources of revelation, like husband and wife, they complement each other.

Next time a Protestant ask you, "Is it in the Bible?", ask them back:

1. Did Jesus practice Sola Scriptura?
2. Did the apostles practice Sola Scriptura?
3. Did the hearers of Jesus' teaching practice Sola Scriptura?
4. Is there in the Bible itself an inspired Table of Contents?
5. Did the Catholic Church made the right decision to declare the Table of Contents of the Bible?

October 01 2013 • 9 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report