Sola Scriptura

The doctrine of sola scriptura, simply stated, is that the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone are sufficient to function as the regula fide, the "rule of faith" for the Church. All that one must believe to be a Christian is found in Scripture and in no other source. That which is not found in Scripture is not binding upon the Christian conscience.


Could you explain the significance of the name Sola Scriptura?


The name Sola Scriptura is Latin and means Scripture Alone. Sola Scriptura was one of the five rallying cries of the Protestant Reformation. The other four being (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone) and Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone be the Glory). Of the five Solas, Sola Scriptura best encapsulates the heart throb of the European Reformers. A key question posed by Martin Luther was, what is the final and ultimate authority for life, faith and worship? Has God given a sufficient and final decree through which all activities of human existence are to conform? Or does the Church along with tradition have the right and authority to impose binding legislation upon the hearts and minds of people, even when such legislation clearly violates Scripture? We hold that the Bible and the Bible alone is the only ultimate and reliable source of God's personal revelation to mankind. While creeds and tradition serve to explain, summarize and demonstrate the central core of the Bible, they are only secondary authorities, subservient to the ultimate authority found in Scripture Alone.