Solus Christus is a Latin phrase that translates to Christ alone, but what does that mean? How does it apply to modern Christians? The phrase got here out of the Protestant Reformation when many clergy and students became concerned that the church had overlooked biblical truths and grow to be corrupted by power and greed. To combat this trend, the Reformers coined five phrases that summarized a comprehensive, interconnected doctrine that clarified Christianity’s foundation as seen in Scripture.
We live in a fallen world that’s at all times attempting to bend God’s truths to suit its own personal agenda. Modern Christians must know the Bible’s truths to face firm when criticism and opposition arise. So, let’s take a better have a look at how the phrase Solus Christus got here to be and the way we will apply it even today.
Who Coined the Phrase Solus Christus?
One of the key issues that led to the Protestant Reformation was the indulgence controversy of the medieval church. The indulgence was a writ offered by the church guaranteeing the remission of sins in exchange for payment. Indulgences especially became connected with purgatory, the Roman Catholic belief that Christians must work through their sins within the afterlife before reaching heaven. One popular medieval jingle said, “As soon because the coin within the coffer rings, the soul out of purgatory springs.” Indulgences became a simple way for churches to generate money for renovations and other projects and sometimes for clergy to line their very own pockets.
German priest Martin Luther claimed the sale of indulgences was unbiblical, saying, “The cross alone is our theology.” You cannot pay your way into heaven since it just isn’t based on human effort but on Christ’s work on the cross. Eventually, it was condensed into the phrase Solus Christus as a part of the Reformers’ summation of scriptural truths.
Where Does Solus Christus Fit with the Other Reformation Solas?
According to “The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation” by Justin Holcomb, the five Reformation sola statements are as follows:
- Sola Scriptura, or “Scripture Alone,” meaning only God’s Word is authoritative.
- Sola Fide, or “Faith Alone,” asserts that we will only enter a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Sola Gratia, or “Grace Alone,” reminds us that we will receive salvation only through God’s grace or unmerited favor.
- Solus Christus, or “Christ Alone,” tells us that faith in Christ is the one method to be reconciled to God.
- Soli Deo Gloria, or “to the glory of God Alone,” reminds us that every one praise and glory belongs to God, the source of salvation, and nothing we have now done.
All five work together, however the statements center on Christ’s work on the cross and his death, burial, and resurrection. Christ is the one mediator for humanity’s salvation. There could be no other intermediaries, corresponding to saints or rituals, and also you most actually cannot buy your way into Heaven. We owe a debt we cannot repay, and Christ’s sacrificial death paid the penalty for our sins in full.
Do We See Solus Christus within the Bible?
Scripture supports the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone, who’s our mediator before God. For example, these verses show Jesus and the later New Testament writers describing his role in salvation:
- “Jesus said to him, “I’m the way in which, the reality, and the life. No one involves the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
- “Therefore He can be able to avoid wasting to the uttermost those that come to God through Him, since He at all times lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
- “For it pleased the Father that in Him all of the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
- “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and moreover can be risen, who’s even at the best hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)
- “Nor is there salvation in every other, for there isn’t any other name under heaven given amongst men by which we should be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
What Made Solus Christus So Controversial?
Some opponents of the phrase Solus Christus thought the Reformers were saying Jesus was other than the remainder of the Trinity. However, the Reformers knew Christ couldn’t be separated from the Trinity. The meaning is that Christ’s sacrifice alone makes salvation possible, so no human effort should buy it through money or rituals.
Another issue has arisen in the fashionable church. Some modern evangelicals think that salvation is feasible through general revelation or that there are opportunities after death to repent, but this just isn’t supported by scripture. Christ alone is the way in which of salvation because John 14:6 clearly states that Christ is the one method to reconciliation with God. Luke 16 and Matthew 25 tell the story of Lazarus and the wealthy man, clearly showing that reconciliation must come before death.
What Can We Learn from Solus Christus Today?
Solus Christus is as applicable now because it was in the course of the Protestant Reformation since it remains to be true today. While it is just two words, the phrase accommodates the cornerstone of Christianity and has enough applications to fill books. For our purposes today, let’s have a look at just just a few of the things we will learn from Solus Christus:
- Salvation is in Christ’s work on the cross (Acts 4:12) and never of any human effort. Yet, we’re called to good works in response to His gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:10 says we were created for good works in Christ Jesus.
- Christ is our mediator and high priest. Hebrews 7:15-28 tells us that Christ is a high priest who doesn’t must offer sacrifices for himself because he’s sinless and may intercede with the Father for us. We don’t need rituals or other mediators to achieve access to God for salvation. However, we must always intercede in prayer for the people around us.
- Our focus ought to be on Christ, nothing or anyone else. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that our hope in Christ is an anchor for our souls irrespective of our trials or storms. If we keep our eyes on him, we will remain steadfast in faith despite our circumstances.
- “I’m the vine, you’re the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you possibly can do nothing” (John 15:5). We can do nothing without Christ, but with Him, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).
Salvation comes through Christ alone, but God chooses to make use of the church to be His hands and feet on earth. He calls us to hitch Him where He is at work and use the spiritual gifts He has given us to minister to others and serve His purpose wherever we’re. Being reconciled to God just isn’t a destination; it’s only the start of an everlasting relationship. Every day, we’re given opportunities to bring the excellent news of salvation to the world—through Christ alone.
As Martin Luther noted in the course of the Protestant Reformation, Solus Christus is the foundational cornerstone of Christianity. The truth of God has no expiration date, and the doctrines still hold today. The five solas give us an outline of the fundamental tenets of Christianity. Further study in each may help us grow spiritually as we seek to follow Christ Alone.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/mbolina
Linda Lyle is a author, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, in addition to multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is about to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
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