by Josh Liu

Church history is one of my many weak areas that requires greater study. Beyond the rich history and heritage girding the Christian faith, the church today is blessed by the testimonies, ministries, teachings, and writings of generations of faithful saints. In particular, in 2017, the church celebrated the 500th year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which exalted Christ’s atonement and the authority of the inspired, inerrant holy Scriptures in opposition to the corrupt doctrine and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. So, for the Fall, College Life Bible study went through a miniseries entitled “The Reformation”. After a brief history primer, we studied the five sola statements: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus christus (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), and soli deo gloria (glory of God alone). The sola statements were developed over time and provide succinct summaries of the doctrines emphasized during the Reformation.

The following provides a brief overview of the miniseries:

1. A Reformation Primer – What was the Protestant Reformation? How did it begin? What were the key issues? Many, including myself, need a brief primer to the history, events, issues, and persons related to the Reformation.
2. Sola Scriptura Part 1 (Selected Scriptures) – Scripture alone, as the inspired Word of God, is our final and solely infallible authority for faith and practice, not the pope or church tradition. Since the beginning of time, God’s Word has been attacked. For example, contemporary practices of historical criticism deny the inerrancy, and ultimately the authority, of Scripture. God’s Word alone speaks clearly, truthfully, sufficiently, and authoritatively.
3. Sola Scriptura Part 2 (Ps. 119:9-16) – In application of the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word, we examined the sanctifying and purifying power of Scripture. To live a pure life that glorifies God, one must live, seek, treasure, learn, declare, rejoice in, meditate on, and delight in God’s Word.
4. Solus Christus (Selected Scriptures) – There is no mediator between God and man but Jesus Christ; any other supposed mediator (whether a priest, the pope, a saint, or Mary) must be rejected. Also, sinners are saved purely on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice; no works of penance can make a person righteous before God.
5. Sola Gratia (Selected Scriptures) – Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: the salvation of sinners is solely the result of God’s grace (i.e., unmerited favor). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christ’s work on the cross introduced one into a state of grace whereby he/she would be able to perform good works that further merit grace (e.g., acts of penance). The selling of indulgences was meant to access such merit in order to lessen one’s time in purgatory. This grossly violates Scripture. Sinners—completely incapable and unwilling to turn to God—require God’s gracious intervention to save them from His wrath. The accounts of the adulterous woman, the praying tax collector, and the crucified criminal illustrate God’s grace to save.
6. Sola Fide (Rom. 3:28) – Justification is received by faith only and not on the basis of any of our good works. God’s grace to save through the atoning sacrifice of Christ is received by faith. Faith itself does not justify, but is an instrument in receiving Christ and His righteousness. Similarly, no human deed or effort can save. Good works are done in expression of faith.
7. Soli Deo Gloria (Rom. 11:33-36) – All glory and worship belongs only to God as the sole author and actor in salvation. His triune glory is not to be shared with saints, popes, or other church leaders. To be fair, 16th century Roman Catholic Church did not deny the importance of Scripture, faith, grace, and Christ, but the disagreement comes from the modifier “alone.” David Vandrunen says, “the fact that salvation is by faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone, without any meritorious contribution on our part, ensures that all glory is God’s and not our own.” (God’s Glory Alone, 15).

Study church history! May it bring you to a deeper knowledge of and intimacy with Christ!

Editor’s Note: Josh’s observation that his knowledge of church history is relatively weak is a common one among modern-day Christians. One resource you might not be aware of is the “Church History” Sunday School series that was taught here at LBCSD a few years ago. Obligatory disclaimer: I (Stephen) taught it.