The Doctrines of Grace - Reformed Fellowship

THE PiLLARS Of SOvEREiGn LOvE
LESSON 2
The Scripture Alone
a VeRy imPoRTanT woRD
At the time of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, the reformers used a
small word that became very important. This particular word held great meaning for the
reformers and the churches which had recovered the truth of God’s Word. The word was
alone. Although it is a common word, it packs a lot of power. If you say, “My friends and I
lifted a 200 pound weight together today,” or if you declare, “I lifted a 200 pound weight
alone today,” that word “alone” makes a big difference. If your four friends lifted two
hundred pounds with you, each of you would have lifted only forty pounds. But if you can
lift two hundred pounds alone, all by yourself, you are very strong.
The reformers discovered that the Bible often emphasizes the idea “alone” (“sola” in Latin).
Scripture teaches that we are not saved by what Christ does for us, plus what we do for
ourselves. It teaches that we are saved by Christ alone. The reformers also understood from
the Bible that we are not saved by grace plus our good works, prayers, or good intentions.
We are saved by grace alone. In addition, the churches of the Reformation reclaimed the
Bible’s teaching that we are saved through faith alone, and that this is done for the glory
of God alone.
In this lesson we will study Scripture alone, the other great sola. Scripture alone, or sola
Scriptura, is a very important pillar of the Christian faith. Without it the whole of the Christian
faith falls into ruin. Everything else depends on this vitally important teaching. If we do not
build on the Word of God alone, we are left to build our faith on what we think or what some
great person taught. That’s the basis of a man-made religion. The Christian faith, however,
is built on what God tells us alone.
The BackGRounD oF This TeachinG
At the time of the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was teaching—and it
continues to teach today—that there is more than one standard or authority for our faith. The
Roman Church taught that the Bible is true, that it is God’s Word, and that it has authority
for believers. However, it also declared that the Bible alone is not the only authority for
the Christian faith. Because the Church had determined that the Bible is not sufficiently
clear for the common believer, it taught that we need something more than the Scriptures
to govern our faith and life. Since it claimed that the Bible cannot stand alone, the Roman
Church said that the traditions and teachings of the church are needed, in addition to the
Scripture, as a sure foundation for the Christian faith. Through the years many decisions had
been made by the popes and church councils. The Church claimed that these decisions or
traditions possessed authority equal to that of the Bible. In fact, the Council of Trent, held
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