Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church

by Jason G. Duesing, Tony Merida (Foreword), Jared C. Wilson (Contributor)

Discover why the fundamentals of the Reformation still matter today

Why do people get so excited about a bunch of Latin phrases, that some guys in Europe came up with 500 years ago? Sure, those five Latin phrases have defined Protestantism for those 500 years, but why do they matter today? To my church? For my life? What’s the big deal about all these solas anyway? These

Sola scriptura-Scripture alone

Sola fide-Faith alone

Sola gratia-grace alone

Solus Christus-Christ alone

Soli Dei Gloria-To the glory of God alone?

Sola is a winsome, inspiring introduction to these five pillars of the Reformation, showing not just what they are but why they’re important for the Christian life today. Edited and compiled by Jason Allen, Sola will illuminate these core truths that have been reforming the church all along. And it may just get you excited about nerdy Latin phrases too.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church History

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Starley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is intentionally, profoundly simple.

For those who have undergone seminary-type education, this book can be an encouraging reminder of deep Gospel truths.

For those who haven’t, this book could be revolutionary in deepening your understanding of the unique nature of the Gospel. Highly recommend for those who may have grown up in a Catholic background and want to understand the distinctives of Protestantism and why the Reformation was so significant.

[Miranda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple and easy read. I enjoyed it, and it was very encouraging and helpful historically and pragmatically. I do think it could have been structured better.

[Ryne Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and since I was only vaguely familiar with the 5 solas, it clearly laid out each sola in a way that was easy to understand. It also connected the relevance of these core beliefs from the Protestant reformation to the present day.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heart of what Luther and the reformers discovered during the sixteenth century can be summarized in what we know today as the five solas of the Reformation, namely, that sinners are saved by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Christ alone (sola Christus), on the Word alone (Sola Scriptura) for the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). These concise statements, what Jason Allen refers to as the “perennial touchpoint of theological and spiritual formation.” The solas, then, form an unbreakable bond on which the Reformation was built and on which the church stands.

Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church, edited by Jason K. Allen is a primer on the the reformation slogans and the importance they have on the church in our generation. Each sola is carefully defined, explained in its historical context, and defended biblically. Finally, each author presents the practical application that comes as a result.

These theological realities that the five solas represent not only set sixteenth-century Europe on fire; they set individual hearts ablaze wherever they were proclaimed and lived out. And these unchanging truths have the power to spark new reformation and revival in our hearts today.

Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church is a perfect entryway for anyone who seeks to understand why the Reformation still matters. These truths are not optional for Christ-followers. Rather, they stand at the very center of the gospel and should be boldly proclaimed.

Soli Deo Gloria!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Ashley Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, but tough to read. There was a different author for each chapter, so it was difficult to follow along with the different writing styles.

[Annie Clapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good reminders and refreshers on church history & the reformation. Very informative and interesting as well. Learned a few things I didn’t know.

[Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book explaining the Five Solas and their importance!

[Kati Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable, convicting, and quick read. I especially liked Jared Wilson’s chapter on Grace Alone.

[Andrew Bondurant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sola is a helpful little introduction to the "Five Solas" of the Reformation. Each “sola” is treated by a different author, which leads to each chapter reading a little differently. The consistent thread through the five essays is that each is an accessible treatment of the Biblical foundation, Historical foundation, and practical implications of the doctrine for Christian life and practice. The five chapters are:
1. Sola scriptura-Scripture alone
Jason Allen, who also functioned as the editor of the book, is the author of this chapter. The most helpful contribution of this chapter is the concluding section as Allen draws ten application points for the church today. These points are straight forward and a needed word for the church today.
2. Sola gratia-grace alone
Jared C. Wilson wrote this chapter. Here the difference is writing styles between the authors becomes very clear. While the format remains the same, Wilson’s wordsmithing is on full display in his essay/chapter. The greatest contribution here is Wilson’s discussion about the foundational nature of sola gratia for four other “solas.”
3. Sola fide-Faith alone
Jason G. Duesing is the contributing author here. Similar to his work in Mere Hope (which is a worthwhile read!), Duesing leans on “the Inklings” (specifically C.S. Lewis and Tolkien) and weaves their writings into the story of Martin Luther and the birth of the Reformation. The most substantial contribution in this chapter is Duesing’s discussion around the role of God in the nature of our faith.

4. Solus Christus-Christ alone
Matthew Barrett is the author of this chapter. Barrett seemed to be the strongest in the historical theology section of his chapter. The greatest contribution in the chapter, in my mind, is the discussion around the role of the perfect life that Jesus lived in the human need for Christ. In popular-level discussion of this chapter, the death of Jesus is consistently highlighted. Barrett in this chapter well articulates the role of His life in the imputation of His righteousness.

5. Soli Dei Gloria-To the glory of God alone
Owen Strachan is the contributor to the fifth and final “sola.” Strachan acknowledges up front that this phrase was never uttered by one of the Reformers. However, this phrase is significant in the life of the believer today. Of utmost importance for the modern reader is the application of this point to every sphere of the believers' life.

The strengths of the book, as noted above, including the accessibility of each chapter as well as the focus of the authors in showing the impact of the doctrine on the life and practice of the church today. A weakness in the book is that in having five different authors, the authors at times used the same stories from the life of Martin Luther to make different points. In doing this, it left me at times feeling like the book did not unfold as clear and smooth as it could have.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to learn about the five solas, then you will want to check out this new book put out by Moody Publishers, Sola ~ How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church, wrote by Jason K. Allen, Jared C. Wilson, Jason G. Duesing, Matthew Barrett, and Owen Strachan. The writers each wrote on one of the solas, which I thought at first was a little weird to do that, but they really do compliment each other well. Oh and if you don’t know what the solas are, then you definitely need this book! They are not just Latin words that came from history, but so much more! Here are a couple of reasons why:

“The Reformers are our theological forebears. They fought the good fight; they finished their course; they rediscovered and proclaimed the faith. As believers, we are sons and daughters of the Reformers. And the faith we hold today is summarized beautifully in the five solas defended by the Reformers.”

“They are the essence of the gospel. When we embrace them, we embrace the gospel. When we articulate them, we speak the gospel. When we live consciously of them, we live in the power of the gospel.”

Sola scriptura-Scripture alone

Sola fide-Faith alone

Sola gratia-grace alone

Solus Christus-Christ alone

Soli Dei Gloria-To the glory of God alone

This is not a deep theological writing on the sola’s, it is for someone that doesn’t know much about the solas and is looking for a deeper understanding on what they are and why we need them. The did a great job of providing a bit of history of where the solas come from and what they mean to us Christians, along with why they are still important today. Even though I know about the solas and have studied a bit on these in the past, I learned some new information and also provide me with encouragement in my faith! Here are a few highlights from the book:

The Word of God regulates them; they don’t regulate the Word of God.
Sola Scriptura means that Scripture establishes the church; the church does not establish the Scriptures.
Scripture has a direct effect on how we live.
Interpretation matters. Be diligent and be devoted to the study of God’s Word. This Book is not an open sesame for us to read into it what we want. This Book is God’s Word, and it requires us to faithfully and humbly interpret it.
Beware of the “plus” that anxious people constantly try to add to Jesus. Because grace is the heart of Christianity. And Grace alone is the basis of our salvation.
To be gospel-centered is not to be law-neglecting or law-flippant.
And if salvation was by the law, we could do some boasting. But because salvation is all of grace – by grace alone – God does all the work and, therefore, God gets all the credit, all the glory.
Salvation by faith alone frees the Christian to no longer fixate on the self and instead to focus on Christ and others.
Faith alone stands as a steady guide for freedom and joyful living for the believer walking with God.
The believer trusting in Christ alone can rest assured that he is safe in the arms of Christ, his in the Rock of Ages.
Every believer, whether in formal ministry or not, may live unto God for the purpose of magnifying His greatness. God was the reason composers composed and musicians played. We give Him glory by a full-orbed Christian life, whatever our precise roll in the kingdom may be.
We must wage war, spiritual war, if we will amplify the beauty and greatness of God. The true Christian walk is no stroll through the tulips; it is a conflict, a quest, a fight for faith.
Christ is the key to a proper vision of glory. Christ is the very Logos of God; He is wisdom. Christ is the pathway to both righteousness and true pleasure. Everything else is counterfeit.
We often hear that ours is a secular age, and in some ways – at elite levels in particular – it may be, but it is actually quite spiritual. But here we must ask: Which spirituality are people interested in. And if they are interested in Jesus, which Jesus? The Jesus of Americana or the Christ of Faith? We must make sure that the Christ we are following is the biblical Christ.
In coming to faith in Jesus, we place a target on our back right alongside the heavy, splintered cross we have taken up…Our weakness, in fact, only magnified the Lord’s mercy and grace all the more, especially when we bear it with a Christ-centered outlook.
The former’s cry must be ours as well. We are to labor for a church reformed and always reforming.

[Jason Snelgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Dei Gloria - these Latin phrases may appear archaic and irrelevant to some, but their significance and impact on Christianity cannot be overstated. In "Sola," edited and compiled by Jason Allen, we are presented with a captivating exploration of these fundamental pillars of the Reformation, unraveling their essence and demonstrating their enduring relevance in the Christian life today.

At first glance, one may wonder why we should be enthralled by phrases coined by a group of European men half a millennium ago. However, as "Sola" reveals, these five solas encapsulate profound truths that have reshaped the course of Protestantism and continue to shape the faith of countless believers.

"Sola Scriptura" declares the supremacy of Scripture alone, emphasizing its ultimate authority in matters of doctrine and practice. In a world marred by shifting cultural values and subjective interpretations, the unwavering foundation of God's Word provides an unchanging guidepost for believers seeking truth.

"Sola Fide" underscores the indispensable role of faith in the Christian life. It reminds us that salvation is not achieved through human efforts or merits but through a confident trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This doctrine cuts through the clutter of legalism and self-righteousness, offering a liberating message of grace to all who embrace it.

"Sola Gratia" magnifies the transformative power of God's grace, which alone can rescue humanity from sin and bestow eternal life. It confronts the notion that we can earn God's favor and emphasizes that salvation is a gift, freely given to us through His unmerited favor.

"Solus Christus" exalts Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity. It dispels the notion that any other figure or religious system can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. By emphasizing the unique and exclusive role of Christ, this doctrine directs our worship and devotion to the only One deserving of it.

Finally, "Soli Dei Gloria" redirects our focus from self-centered pursuits to the glory of God alone. It reminds us that our lives should be lived in such a way that every thought, word, and action brings honor and praise to our Creator. This doctrine challenges us to reorient our priorities and find fulfillment in surrendering our lives to God's purposes.

Through its engaging and thought-provoking exploration of these solas, "Sola" succeeds in illuminating the profound truths that have shaped the church for centuries. Jason Allen's meticulous compilation ensures that readers are presented with a comprehensive and accessible guide to these fundamental doctrines.

What makes "Sola" particularly compelling is its ability to bridge the historical context of the Reformation with the present-day relevance of these foundational truths. By highlighting their application to the challenges faced by contemporary Christians, the book encourages readers to embrace and embody these solas in their own lives.

As someone who has always appreciated the depth and significance of these Latin phrases, I commend "Sola" for its winsome approach in making them accessible to a broader audience. This book has the potential to ignite a newfound enthusiasm for these "nerdy" phrases, transforming them from mere historical relics into living truths that can inspire and transform the lives of believers today.

In conclusion, "Sola" offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the five solas of the Reformation, shedding light on their enduring importance in the Christian life. Jason Allen's compilation serves as a valuable resource, providing a fresh perspective on these fundamental doctrines and their relevance to our journey of faith. I wholeheartedly recommend "Sola" to all who seek to deepen their understanding of the faith and appreciate the profound impact of these Latin phrases on the course of Christian history.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why the Solas matter. The Five solas are theological declarations, but they come with massive personal and congregational implications. They provide the doctrinal infrastructure. for our spiritual lives. They frame our Christian identities and ministries and are perennial touchpoints of theological and spiritual formation. They are not meant to divide the church but they are the essence of the gospel. When we embrace them, we embrace the gospel. When we articulate them, we speak the gospel. When we live consciously of them, we live in the power of the gospel.

Sola Scripture - Scripture alone
Sola Gratia- Grace Alone
Sola Fide-Justified by Faith Alone
Solus Christus- Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria - God's Glory Alone

Each one of the solas is taken by chapter by 5 different teachers. I find it interesting that with each different teacher and solus there was a spiritual unity that speaks of the gospel and the Glory of God. Without scripture alone, you cannot have grace alone and without Justified by Faith Alone, you cannot have Christ Alone, and without Christ Alone, you cannot have God's glory alone. They each build on each other to bring us in glory and in the presence of God. Along with a description of each sola, you are given a history of the reformation, the protest and the shift to bring the gospel to the people. Luther's struggle with the law and ultimate declaration of the 95 thesis given on October 31 which is Happy Reformation Day.

I was reminded again of the power of grace. Not to live in antinomianism but to be gospel centered. Not on the side of legalism but also not to be law neglecting or law flippant. I loved this quote How can we be flippant about what reveals the holiness of God? To be flippant about the law is to be flippant about God. To be flippant about the law is to be flippant about worship. Make no mistake the law cannot do what the gospel does. But the law is not bad. It is good. It is good at accomplishing what it is designed to do.

The righteousness we seek is found only in Christ and the solas point to Christ and the work of salvation. The text is easy to read and written with clarity! Highly recommend.

A Special thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Clint Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

***DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FOR FREE FROM MOODY PUBLISHERS TO REVIEW***

Jason K. Allen serves as the general editor of Sola, the eighth book I have reviewed for Moody Publishers. It is the second book edited by Jason K. Allen that I have reviewed. The first one, Portraits of a Pastor (another book I reviewed for Moody), was a good one, hence my wanting to review another one by Allen. Like the first one, this book most certainly does not disappoint. This review explains why.

The book Sola addresses each of the five “solas”:

sola scriptura (Scripture alone – Chapter One – Jason K. Allen)
sola gratia (Grace alone – Chapter Two – Jared C. Wilson)
sola fide (Faith alone – Chapter Three – Jason G. Duesing)
solus Christus (Christ alone – Chapter Four – Matthew Barrett)
soli Deo Gloria (God’s glory alone – Chapter Five – Owen Strachan)
These “solas” both establish the Christian life and provide the blueprint for how churches can have fulfilled and fruitful ministries (p. 17). As shown above, Allen and four other contributors each wrote one chapter. Tony Merida wrote the foreword and Allen wrote the book’s introduction.

Allen starts the “chapter” part of the book by explaining sola scriptura historically, biblically and pastorally (pp. 19-34). Wilson explains how sola gratia is the theme of Scripture alone, the strength of faith alone, is found in Christ alone, and proclaims the glory of God alone (pp. 35-54). In a nutshell, it is the backbone of the other four “solas.” Duesing both explains sola fide by giving its biblical foundation (Romans 1:16-17) and summarizes it by giving five summary statements to sola fide that are relevant for the present day (pp. 55-74). In discussing solus Christus, Barrett touches base on various things as he explains it biblically and historically (pp. 75-98). Finally, Strachan concludes the “chapter” part of the book by discussing the significance of soli Deo Gloria (pp. 99-117). The book concludes with a conclusion, acknowledgments and some extensive notes (including both useful information on narcissism and a solid warning against prosperity theology materials; pp. 118-132).

CONCLUSION

This book is a short, simple, and fruitful book that excels in grammar and content. I would most definitely recommend this book, for it is a must-read.

GRADE: 4.25 out of 5

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The five solas are an essential aspect of the Protestant church. They are a foundation for the church, the authors say, and life giving for believers. This book covers all five and is a good introduction to them. The historical setting of each sola is given and then what they mean for the Christian life.

Each sola is written about by a different author. As is often the case with multiple authors, the writing style and emphasis differs among them. Jason Allen covered Scripture alone. He used 2 Tim. 3:15-17 to show the inspired nature of Scripture and that it is authoritative. I felt he failed to prove that it is our only source of authoritative truth.

Jared Wilson wrote about grace alone. He spent quite a bit of time on Scripture alone and faith alone, almost as much as he did on grace alone. I have found Wilson at times hard to follow. He wrote, “Salvation is all of grace. It's not turtles all the way down, it's grace!” (Loc. 363/1201) What? Turtles? I even read the previous paragraphs to understand the turtle reference. Nothing. (I guess I should have read Green's novel to understand Wilson's theology.)

Jason Duesing wrote about faith alone. He spent quite a bit of time relating Luther's story, how he became a monk and had a conversion experience. Mathew Barrett wrote on Christ alone. He went into the Roman Catholic view in detail. Owen Strachen wrote on God's glory alone. I found his writing to be the most encouraging and full of application, including a good section on suffering.

I recommend this book to Christians who want to know a bit about the solas. The work is not very theologically deep nor very rigorous.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Peter Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church, edited by Jason K. Allen, is a collection of five essays on the five solas, why they are biblical, and how they should affect the twenty-first century church.

Allen makes the point that the Reformers did not put forth a systematic explanation of the solas, though the themes of them can be found in their work – and it is the addition of the word sola – alone – that separates Protestant churches from the Roman Catholic Church.

The five solas are:

Scripture alone – all we need to know for salvation and life is taught in the Scripture and no other documents or persons are needed or can add to the truth of what the Scripture says.

Grace alone – salvation is not merited by anything we do or don’t do but is gifted only by the Sovereign Grace of God.

Faith alone – the only means of receiving salvation is through faith.

Christ alone – no one and nothing adds or assists Christ’s work of salvation.

Glory to God alone – salvation and everything that occurs is all to the glory of God alone.

I won’t enumerate the practical applications of the solas but leave that to your reading. Suffice it to say that the applications are appropriate and well worth adopting. Any biblical church will teach the solas and apply them in the ministry of the church.

This is an excellent introduction to the solas, and I highly recommend it for personal or group study.

[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise with chapters by various authors, clearly laying out the fundamental importance of sola scriptura, sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria in defining our faith and how we live.



This was an enjoyable read, to the point, and while I am very familiar with the history of the Reformation and Martin Luther, I found this to be a great reminder. The chapters are all well laid out and explained in layman's terms, with good analogies and similes to illustrate the points, as well as good historical context. It was interesting to learn the true origin of Soli Deo Gloria, and its connection to Sebastian Bach.



Overall, a great resource and is well suited to serve as an introduction to the 5 solas and how they form the foundations of our Christian faith, or as a great refresher and reminder of the importance of the simple yet powerful doctrines that define our faith.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sola" is about the five solas of the Reformation. A different author wrote about each sola, so the writing style varied, but it's more preaching style than academic. While anyone can learn from the essays, several authors talked about how understanding the solas impacts the church so the intended audience may be the church leadership. For each sola, the author talked about what the phrase means, where the principle is found in Scripture, what prompted Luther to include the idea in his writings, and how these truths make a difference in our churches and lives today. It provided a good introduction to the solas, and I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an overview of them and their impact.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Chris MacLeavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every paragraph of Sola. As someone who loves Reformation history (and had just completed Bainton's 'Here I Stand' prior to picking up this one), I found every chapter to be a wonderful, accessible primer for those who aren't yet familiar with the five Solas while it simultaneously conveyed the rich, deep truths to those familiar with the Solas already. Each contributing theologian brought a succinct, superb summary along with relevance for both the individual Christ-follower and the church. On a lighter note, I thoroughly enjoyed Jared C. Wilson's cheeky tone in chapter 2 where he expounds on why his assigned sola (Grace Alone) underpins all the others (enumerating why every Sola stems from grace) half-seriously-half-suggesting that his chapter was the most important (and perhaps it is). Sola is a quick read; although the study of its content will never be exhausted.

[Max Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books on the five solas are plenteous, and many, I imagine, go deeper into the individual components than this one does. So if you’re looking for a deep dive, this isn’t the book. As overviews go, though, it’s a decent one. I’m not sure how deeply the subtitle on the front of the book - How the Five Solas are Still Reforming the Church - was fleshed out, and the chapters, written by different authors, at times felt redundant and/or disjointed, but the individual authors did do respectable jobs of explaining the core points of each sola and giving good backgrounds for each.

Not sure I’d recommend it in many circumstances (I thought Piper’s “Look at the Book” episodes were better foundation and took less time), but I do think it’s a decent starting point for people approaching the topic of the solas for the very first time.

[Rainer Erani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Five Solas are my favorite confession of faith. They are so rich that, even after years of mining them, I still find so much beauty left to discover. I once heard someone say, ‘Tell me you’re Protestant without telling me you’re Protestant,’ and the reply was, ‘We have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone.’ That is my confession.

If you’ve never learned about the Five Solas, this book is a clear and quick introduction. I’m grateful to the faculty at MBTS for putting it together.

[Kevin Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a glorious book—not because of the authors but because of the Author of salvation. I’m so grateful for God’s gifts of His Word, grace, Son, and of faith, all to His glory. This book is simple and helpful enough for the inexperienced theologian yet rich enough to teach seminarians. It is theological and practical. It is full of glory.

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational/Deep Christianity

For the new believer and “veteran” Christian.
Great insight. Not wordy or excessive information. Recommend for all Christians to read in order to develop sound theology.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is an excellent read. Theology for non-seminary students. 😁. I loved the entire book, but my favorite take-away was his explanation of how the Protestant faith came out of the Catholic Church. It was something I've never understood until this book.

[Wood Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great explanation on the 5 Solas. This book is great for somone who does not know the Solas are has very little information. For someone who does know the Solas this is a great refresher. In all its a great book.

[Mary Vogelsong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to see what the Reformers believe. It is a nice, clearcut explination. If you are curious about the Five Solas, this book is for you.

[Gary Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read! It will give you some great insights to what made the Reformation a great period in Christianity.

[Becca Harbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick guide to the 5 solas and battle cries of the Reformation

[Shea Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on the Solas

[Dave Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good approach to Christianity

[Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sola is an excellent introudction to the doctrine and importance of the five solas. And such an introduction is essential."

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