The Five Solas emerged during the Protestant Reformation as a summary of key theological differences between Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. It emphasized salvation by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), based on Scripture alone (sola scriptura), in Christ alone (solus Christus), and for the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). These principles became foundational to Protestant theology and identity. In this post, we will explore how three out of Five Solas can be refuted just by using the words of Jesus Christ and identify the two “Solas” which supersedes everything else, that is Jesus Christ and Glory to God alone. Everything else flows from these two solas.
Protestant Claims and Refutation
Below is a tabulation of the Five Solas and how it is refuted based on the words of Jesus Christ.
| The Sola & Protestant Claim | Background Information | Refutation: Words of Jesus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) Claim: Bible is the highest source of authority in a Christian’s life, the final court of appeal1 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17) | In a period when Tradition and Scripture were upheld with equal authority, the Protestant Reformation did the right thing to reject tradition as authority from the Catholic church. However, today the same Scriptural authority is used to reject our obedience to Christ using Paul’s letters. | Christ is the sole authority and we must build our life on His teachings. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) |
| 2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone) Claim: Justification—being made right with God—comes only through faith in Jesus.1 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) | The Catholic Church before Protestant Reformation involved in sale of indulgences, complex penitential systems and perceived overemphasis on works, which promoted a works-based approach to salvation contrary to what Christ taught. Protestant Reformation did the right thing by flagging this wrong practice but by saying Sola Fide using Paul’s letters. But today, even obedience to Christ’s teachings is rejected using this Sola Fide. | Christ taught us to do works, which is primarily to help fellow Christians and obedience to Him. These are the ones Christ calls as righteous Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:45-46) |
| 3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone / Monergism) Claim: Sinners are saved as an unearned gift of God’s grace, “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”1 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:5) | Since Protestant Reformation had to define Faith alone without works, they had to exclude any works requirement for salvation by saying Sola Gratia. | Christ taught us to enter through the narrow gate and walk through the difficult path which leads to life. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) |
| 4. Solus Christus (Christ Alone) Claim: Emphasizes the exclusivity of Jesus’ role in salvation: “No one comes to the Father except through me”1 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (I Timothy 2:5) | Protestant Reformation was reacting against Veneration of saints and Mary (prayed to saints or the Virgin Mary for intercession), priestly mediation and some sacramental system administered by the Church as necessary channels of grace. They did the right thing. | No refutation required. Note: Usage of John 20:23 to refute is not applicable since it is for His disciples who can forgive or withhold forgiveness from those who had sinned against them. |
| 5. Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory) Claim: Purpose of creation, salvation, and everything—including our goal as Christians—is the glory of God1 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) | Reformers were reacting against the sale of indulgences, exaltation of church leaders, high-ranking clergy, including the pope, were often given great honor and authority. Reformers believed this could detract from God’s glory. Relics, pilgrimages, and elaborate rituals placed emphasis on objects, places, or human actions rather than on God’s grace. They did the right thing. | No refutation required. Note: Christ is giving His glory to all who believe in Him as in John 17:20-22 does not mean all believers can give glory to other believers instead of God or giving glory to others as equal to God. |
As we can see, there are no Five Solas. There are only two solas, that is Christ alone and Glory to God alone. Everything else flows from these two solas.
Conclusion
- Christ is the sole authority, and we must build our lives on His teachings. Scripture bears witness to Christ and contains His teachings. While Sola Scriptura was intended for a noble purpose to remove tradition from the requirement of salvation, elevating man’s words to be equal to the words of Jesus Christ, calling them Scripture, even using them to reject His teachings as works, and then declaring them the ultimate authority is blasphemy.
- Christ taught that our obedience matters, and He calls only those who obey His teachings righteous. While Sola Fide was intended to remove sale of indulgences, complex penitential systems and perceived overemphasis on works-based approach to salvation, it even went further to reject Christ’s teachings and obedience to Him as works. Claiming faith in Him while not doing what He instructed is hypocrisy.
- Christ taught us to enter through the narrow gate and walk the difficult path that leads to life. Because of faith alone, Sola Gratia excludes any works for salvation including obedience to Christ and His teachings. Preaching that His grace will push us through the narrow gate and drag us through the difficult path so we can have life tramples Son of God underfoot, insulting the Spirit of grace, contradicts everything Jesus taught and is heresy.
- Christ is the sole mediator between God and man. Protestant Reformation was reacting against Veneration of saints and Mary (prayed to saints or the Virgin Mary for intercession), priestly mediation and some sacramental system administered by the Church as necessary channels of grace. Solus Christus is correct.
- The purpose of creation, salvation, and everything including our goal as Christians is the glory of God. Reformers were reacting against the sale of indulgences, exaltation of church leaders, high-ranking clergy, including the pope, were often given great honor and authority. Reformers believed this could detract from God’s glory. Relics, pilgrimages, and elaborate rituals placed emphasis on objects, places, or human actions rather than on God’s grace. Soli Deo Gloria is correct.
1“5 Solas of the Reformation—What They Are & Why They Matter.” Accessed June 7, 2026, https://www.logos.com/grow/5-solas-reformation/.
