Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Maybe, some readers will find it surprising that I’m using the Jesuit phrase, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” with the first four Solas of the Reformation. In English, it means, “For the greater glory of God.” The fifth Sola is “Soli Deo Gloria” which means, “Glory to God alone.” It’s very hypocritical for the Jesuits and the other counter-reformers to use the phrase, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” when they reject the first four Solas. It’s even called the four villains of the Reformation. These Solas are Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Solus Christo. In English, they mean Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, and In Christ Alone. All these lead to the fifth Sola namely Glory to God Alone. I have no problem with saying the Jesuit phrase (and no, they have no monopoly over the phrase), “For the greater glory of God.” because that statement is never exclusive to the Ignatian Spirituality movement or Roman Catholicism.

Continue the Reformation by Upholding Apostolic Doctrine

I was looking for another topic to write about continuing the Reformation. The Reformation wasn’t a split from the true Church. The reformers wanted to be biblical, not become reformers. As I was looking at the Tecarta Bible, today’s verses of the day are Acts 2:42-44. I decided to use the Thru the Bible Commentary to gain some insights. The late J. Vernon McGee wrote a very interesting comment on Acts 2:42 goes like this:

Does 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Defeat Sola Scriptura?

There’s always a misunderstanding and a misrepresentation of what Sola Scriptura is. I don’t blame them because they’re blinded. The things of God are spiritually discerned. I remembered one of the many verses misquoted by opponents of Sola Scriptura (such as Roman Catholics) is 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Some Catholic translations would use traditions. The Good News Translation (GNT) uses the word truths instead. I decided to do a bit of a study since 2 Thessalonians 2:15 tends to be taken out of context to justify rejecting Sola Scriptura.

Do the Lost Books Disprove Sola Scriptura?

One of the many reasons critics of Sola Scriptura (once again not knowing what it means) says that we have the doctrine of the lost books. I decided to dig out some old research which I think is still rewriting. Now, I decided to recheck the KJV Study Bible which has a doctrinal footnote on the lost books. I still love the KJV and I tend to get in and out of moderate KJV Onlyism. I feel a good topic to write about are the lost books if they ever will disprove Sola Scriptura.

The Preservation of Scripture

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Many times, Sola Scriptura is often confused with Solo Scriptura. There are also people who talk about that, “What about the original manuscripts?” Some people pose such a difficult challenge. This Reformation Month, I feel like another topic worth writing about is the preservation of Scripture. I could say that the original manuscripts are no longer around. However, God had providentially preserved His words by one way or another. That’s why I believe the KJV was given by preservation instead of inspiration. The KJV was edited several times before the 1611 version, had six (or more) earlier English translations, and had four other editions with the 1769 edition which is the latest translation used today.

The Heresy of Private Interpretation

2 Peter 1:16-21 writes the following concerning Christ’s glory and the prophecies of Scripture:

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

The Mystery of Godliness vs. the Mystery of Iniquity (Doctrines of Devils)

Reading through 1 Timothy 3 about deacons and bishops also finds one’s self also talking about the Mystery of Godliness. A mystery is something that’s considered difficult to understand, unknown, or hidden secret. For instance, we say something mysterious happened–it means it’s hard to understand why it happened or it’s a series of secrets that are just waiting to be unveiled. A mystery novel is hard to understand then it slowly unveils many events, leaving you excited to read more of it until everything is revealed in the best way possible.

The next chapter, 1 Timothy 3:15-16 writes the following which talks about the Mystery of Godliness:

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, ¹⁵ if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, a pillar and buttress (ground or foundation, emphasis mine) of the truth. ¹⁶ Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (ESV)