By Pastor Ross Helgeton Faith and Reflection
Last October, churches around the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. A powerful and enduring tenet of the Reformation is the five solos (sola is Latin for alone).
To begin with, there were just three solos; Scripture over tradition, faith over works and grace over merit. However, two more were added later and were articulated as Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, through Christ alone and glory to God alone.
Occasionally the order of the five has been changed, but “Scripture alone” has always come first. The reason for this is that information regarding the other four solos, (and all other areas of faith and practice) are based upon what is contained and taught in the Bible.
Scripture alone doesn’t mean that the Bible says everything about everything. You will still need your repair manual when the washing machine breaks down. However, you might need the patience taught in James 1:4 as you struggle through the repair job.
In addition, the Bible doesn’t contain all, or even a fraction of the mind of God. It contains a wealth of information on a plethora of topics and those who spend their lives in biblical studies realize that they have merely scratched the surface. Comparatively speaking, however, it is a primer for beginners; a grain of sand on the Daytona Beach of God’s knowledge and wisdom.
Nevertheless, the Scripture maintains a clear and intentional focus. It is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind telling us how to come to Him, in faith, through His Son Jesus and how to live out our lives in relationship with Him.
Given the foregoing, you can understand my concern with the current trend of some to believe that Scripture alone will not suffice…and that the Bible is no longer relevant nor adequate to address the changing norms and values of contemporary culture.
There is no doubt that culture is changing, but I would pose the rhetorical question, does truth change? And I will always be in favor of good sound translations that present the timeless truths of the Bible in language that is understandable to present-day readers. However, the current practice, of an increasing number of professing Christians, to engage in the compromise of accommodating culture, rather than believing Scripture, is not only contrary to Scripture alone, but strikes at the very foundation of the other four solos.
Challenging the relevance of the Scriptures is not a new concept. French philosopher Voltaire, 250 years ago, said that in 100 years the Bible “will have passed into the mists of history as people become more liberated and enlightened.” Well, Voltaire is gone, the book he made disparaging remarks about is read more widely now than ever and the house in which he lived later became a distribution center for Bibles.
The greatest tragedy is not that the Bible has opponents or critics. Both God and His Book are quite able to stand against such assaults.No! The greatest tragedy is when those who call themselves Christians fail to give the Bible its rightful place in their thoughts and lives.
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away” (Luke 21:33). Sola Sciptura