Five: The Solas of the Reformation

by S.D. Ellison

What are the five solas? Why do they matter? Are they biblical? How do they apply to me? Five: The Solas of the Reformation, by S. D. Ellison, is a primer written to introduce readers to the glorious truths of the Reformation. This book will guide people through the historical and biblical basis for each of the Solas: Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone). However, just as importantly, Five: The Solas of the Reformation will show how these great reformational truths can be applied to our own lives.

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

S. D. Ellison currently lives in Antrim, Northern Ireland with his wife Tracy. Together they love political satire, reading, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
Davy has served in the youth department of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland and in pastoral roles in a number of Irish Baptist Churches. He is now the Director of Training at the Irish Baptist College. He serves as an elder in Antrim Baptist Church.
Davy completed his Bachelor of Divinity in 2013 (University of Chester/Irish Baptist College) and Master of Theology in 2016 (Queen’s University, Belfast/Irish Baptist College). He is currently undertaking doctoral studies with Queen’s University, Belfast and the Irish Baptist College in Old Testament Biblical studies. For good measure he also holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography (2009, Queen’s University, Belfast).

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic short book that helpfully and succinctly identifies the core tenants of the reformation. How they interact with one another, and what their origin point is.

We trust in scripture alone, entrusted to us by grace alone, where we are saved by faith alone, in Christ alone, all to the glory of God alone.

[Jesse Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a new generation of disciples emerging, it is essential for them to taste the sweetest tenets of the Reformation. Since S. D. Ellison writes with gospel-centred clarity, vitality and simplicity, I believe that his primer will become an indispensable tool for discipleship.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read S.D. Ellison’s book on the 5 Solas during a trip to Geneva, a city steeped in Reformation history. The backdrop of Geneva, with its iconic Reformation Wall and legacy of John Calvin, made this exploration of the 5 core doctrines of the Protestant Reformation all the more interesting and poignant.

I found S.D. Ellison’s book to be both clear and insightful in regards to the foundational principles of Protestant theology. I learnt a lot from the book about the theological roots of the 5 Solas. However, I also thought that S.D. Ellison went further by showing that the 5 Solas continue to be relevant today.

Overall, I would highly recommend this short and concise book by S.D. Ellison as an excellent resource. It is packed with theological insights and challenges to apply the 5 Solas as 21st century Christian’s. No doubt it will be a helpful resource for both theologians and lay readers like myself.

[Stephen Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, clear, scripturally and historically focused

This is an easily understood presentation of the 5 Solas of the Reformation. It takes what could be dry and stale doctrine and relates it to our current culture. I will return to this many times to remind myself of the importance of the simple truth of these 5 solas.