You may encounter lots of issues in your daily life. Then the most important question you should pause and ask should be: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
#The Holy Scripture.
#Inspired word of God*
The inspiration of the Bible is an article of faith to be believed because of the Bible’s own testimony concerning itself. In another word the Bible speaks about itself. The Bible does say that it is the word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. What has been said about inspiration applies equally to all canonical books of both Old and New Testaments. Hence, the writings of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20) are in an equal sense the foundation of the church. There is no difference in inspiration and authority. We accept all scriptures as given by inspiration. Otherwise we have no foundation whatsoever for our faith.
#Inspired word of God*
The inspiration of the Bible is an article of faith to be believed because of the Bible’s own testimony concerning itself. In another word the Bible speaks about itself. The Bible does say that it is the word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. What has been said about inspiration applies equally to all canonical books of both Old and New Testaments. Hence, the writings of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20) are in an equal sense the foundation of the church. There is no difference in inspiration and authority. We accept all scriptures as given by inspiration. Otherwise we have no foundation whatsoever for our faith.
#The Purpose of Scripture
Scripture's primary purpose is not to convey historical facts or a good story. Notice, it is not its primary purpose. This means that an interpretation thatof concentrates all of its energies on the human author, a reconstruction historical context, and the like, would not particularly interest the fathers.
Scripture's primary purpose is not to convey historical facts or a good story. Notice, it is not its primary purpose. This means that an interpretation thatof concentrates all of its energies on the human author, a reconstruction historical context, and the like, would not particularly interest the fathers.
#The Purpose of Scripture
Scripture's primary purpose is not to convey historical facts or a good story. Notice, it is not its primary purpose. This means that an interpretation thatof concentrates all of its energies on the human author, a reconstruction historical context, and the like, would not particularly interest the fathers.
Scripture's primary purpose is not to convey historical facts or a good story. Notice, it is not its primary purpose. This means that an interpretation thatof concentrates all of its energies on the human author, a reconstruction historical context, and the like, would not particularly interest the fathers.
Our Faith and the Faith
The word “faith” is used in two different ways:
The Christian Faith
We often use the word “faith” to mean the personal trust in a person’s heart.
!This kind of faith is only as strong (or as good) as the thing it trusts.
!In this sense, everyone has “faith”—because everyone trusts in something or someone. !Christian faith trusts Christ and depends on his Word.
!“fides qua creditur” (Latin for “the faith that believes”) refers to the human act of believing.
The word “faith” also means the object of a person’s trust, the person or thing a person’s heart clings to.
!The Christian faith is centered in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
!The Christian faith = Christian doctrine (what God teaches in his Word)
!“fides quae creditur” (Latin for “the faith that is believed”) refers to what we believe in.
The word “faith” is used in two different ways:
The Christian Faith
We often use the word “faith” to mean the personal trust in a person’s heart.
!This kind of faith is only as strong (or as good) as the thing it trusts.
!In this sense, everyone has “faith”—because everyone trusts in something or someone. !Christian faith trusts Christ and depends on his Word.
!“fides qua creditur” (Latin for “the faith that believes”) refers to the human act of believing.
The word “faith” also means the object of a person’s trust, the person or thing a person’s heart clings to.
!The Christian faith is centered in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
!The Christian faith = Christian doctrine (what God teaches in his Word)
!“fides quae creditur” (Latin for “the faith that is believed”) refers to what we believe in.
Theology of the Cross
“The hidden God is God as he lies
beyond human grasp, beyond human
knowing” Power
Glory
The opposite of the God we see on the
cross.
“The hidden God is God as he lies
beyond human grasp, beyond human
knowing” Power
Glory
The opposite of the God we see on the
cross.
Theology of the Cross
“The revealed God is the God
who speaks to us, as the Word
Made Flesh and in his inspired
Scriptures.”
(Robert Kolb)
“The revealed God is the God
who speaks to us, as the Word
Made Flesh and in his inspired
Scriptures.”
(Robert Kolb)
Greetings all, you are also kindly invited to be member in "Theological Discussion Network" public group. I hope many of you will love to learn, ask, discus and contribute as Christian theologians as well as lay ministers.
Blessings!
Blessings!
As a young Lutheran theologian, I would like to share with you the "SOLAS" = "Alones" with short explanation from its introduction.
INTRODUCTION
The “SOLAS” of the Protestant Reformation are d set of doctrines held by theologians and churchmen to be central to that period of change in the western Christian church. Each sola— from the Latin meaning "alone" or "only"—represents a key belief held by the reformers of the 16th century in contrast to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The precise number of SOLAS varies, but lists of three and five are common.
The SOLAS were not systematically brought together until the 20th century. But sola gratia and sola fide were used by the reformers themselves. For example, in 1554 Philip Melanchthon wrote, "sola gratia justificamus et sola fide justificamur” ("only by grace do you justify, and only by faith are we justified"). All of the SOLAS show up in various writings by the Protestant reformers, but they do not all appear in one place.¹ In the earliest references to the SOLAS, three were typically mentioned: Scripture over tradition, faith over works, and grace over merit. Each of these pairs of terms is intended to highlight how Protestant teaching differs from Catholic teaching.
INTRODUCTION
The “SOLAS” of the Protestant Reformation are d set of doctrines held by theologians and churchmen to be central to that period of change in the western Christian church. Each sola— from the Latin meaning "alone" or "only"—represents a key belief held by the reformers of the 16th century in contrast to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The precise number of SOLAS varies, but lists of three and five are common.
The SOLAS were not systematically brought together until the 20th century. But sola gratia and sola fide were used by the reformers themselves. For example, in 1554 Philip Melanchthon wrote, "sola gratia justificamus et sola fide justificamur” ("only by grace do you justify, and only by faith are we justified"). All of the SOLAS show up in various writings by the Protestant reformers, but they do not all appear in one place.¹ In the earliest references to the SOLAS, three were typically mentioned: Scripture over tradition, faith over works, and grace over merit. Each of these pairs of terms is intended to highlight how Protestant teaching differs from Catholic teaching.
1. Sola Scriptura/Scripture alone
The phrase, sola scriptura, or "by scripture alone," asserts that the Bible must determine church traditions and interpretations. All church practices and doctrines must be in unity with the teachings of Scripture, the divinely inspired Word of God. This principle asserts that the Bible is to be interpreted through , with one passage of Scripture being useful in the interpretation of other passages. It shows that the Bible is a unified system of itselftruth as well as the revelation of truth. The teachings and customs of the church must align themselves with the Word of God; only then can they be applied with any assurance of God’s approval and of their own trustworthiness.
The phrase, sola scriptura, or "by scripture alone," asserts that the Bible must determine church traditions and interpretations. All church practices and doctrines must be in unity with the teachings of Scripture, the divinely inspired Word of God. This principle asserts that the Bible is to be interpreted through , with one passage of Scripture being useful in the interpretation of other passages. It shows that the Bible is a unified system of itselftruth as well as the revelation of truth. The teachings and customs of the church must align themselves with the Word of God; only then can they be applied with any assurance of God’s approval and of their own trustworthiness.
2. Sola Fide/faith alone
The two Latin words, sola fide, translated "by faith alone," declare that good works are not the
means by which salvation is attained; neither are they required nor accepted by God for granting
salvation. Sola fide is the teaching that justification (understood in Protestant theology as "being
declared just by God") is received by faith alone, without the need for good works on the part of
the believing individual. Good works are viewed as the evidence of saving faith; they do not
determine salvation. The Catholic side of the argument is based on James 2:14-17. "What does it
profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
In understanding sola fide, it is important to keep in mind the difference between the Catholic and
Protestant notions of justification. Both groups agree that it means a communication of Christ's
merits to sinners. Martin Luther used the expression simul justus et peccator ("at the same time
justified and a sinner"). However, Catholics see justification as a communication of God's life to a
human being, cleansing him of sin and transforming him into a true son of God. It is not merely a
declaration of righteousness; the soul is made objectively righteous. The Protestant view, by
contrast, is that justification is entirely the gracious work of God. Good works are the result of therighteousness of Christ having been received by faith; they are the evidence of that righteousness
having been reckoned by God to the believer. It is only as a justified person that one is enabled to
do anything that is acceptable (good or righteous) in the sight of God.
The two Latin words, sola fide, translated "by faith alone," declare that good works are not the
means by which salvation is attained; neither are they required nor accepted by God for granting
salvation. Sola fide is the teaching that justification (understood in Protestant theology as "being
declared just by God") is received by faith alone, without the need for good works on the part of
the believing individual. Good works are viewed as the evidence of saving faith; they do not
determine salvation. The Catholic side of the argument is based on James 2:14-17. "What does it
profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
In understanding sola fide, it is important to keep in mind the difference between the Catholic and
Protestant notions of justification. Both groups agree that it means a communication of Christ's
merits to sinners. Martin Luther used the expression simul justus et peccator ("at the same time
justified and a sinner"). However, Catholics see justification as a communication of God's life to a
human being, cleansing him of sin and transforming him into a true son of God. It is not merely a
declaration of righteousness; the soul is made objectively righteous. The Protestant view, by
contrast, is that justification is entirely the gracious work of God. Good works are the result of therighteousness of Christ having been received by faith; they are the evidence of that righteousness
having been reckoned by God to the believer. It is only as a justified person that one is enabled to
do anything that is acceptable (good or righteous) in the sight of God.
3. Sola Gratia/Grace alone
The idea that a person’s merit is excluded from having any part in salvation is expressed in the words, “by grace alone” (sola gratia). Salvation comes by divine grace, God’s “unmerited favor,” and not as something offered, exchanged, or sacrificed by the sinner. Salvation is a gift, an unearned blessing from God for Christ’s sake.
While Protestants and Catholics agree that grace is truly and always a gift of God, there are two related concepts on which they differ. First (as Protestants teach), God is the sole actor in grace; grace is his and only his, and always saves without any contribution from man. Second, a man cannot by any action of his own, acting under the influence of grace, cooperate with the grace of God to merit greater graces for himself (which is what the Roman Catholic Church teaches). The doctrine of sola gratia asserts divine “monergism” in salvation: God acts alone to save the sinner.
Where even a tiny degree of responsibility for salvation lies with the sinner, “synergism” is
operating, and salvation is therefore not by the grace of God alone.
The idea that a person’s merit is excluded from having any part in salvation is expressed in the words, “by grace alone” (sola gratia). Salvation comes by divine grace, God’s “unmerited favor,” and not as something offered, exchanged, or sacrificed by the sinner. Salvation is a gift, an unearned blessing from God for Christ’s sake.
While Protestants and Catholics agree that grace is truly and always a gift of God, there are two related concepts on which they differ. First (as Protestants teach), God is the sole actor in grace; grace is his and only his, and always saves without any contribution from man. Second, a man cannot by any action of his own, acting under the influence of grace, cooperate with the grace of God to merit greater graces for himself (which is what the Roman Catholic Church teaches). The doctrine of sola gratia asserts divine “monergism” in salvation: God acts alone to save the sinner.
Where even a tiny degree of responsibility for salvation lies with the sinner, “synergism” is
operating, and salvation is therefore not by the grace of God alone.
Often some theologians add the following two solas in order to make the concept of the solas more clearer. Therefore, it is also important that we need as Christian theologians and lay ministers, to know the next solas too in addition to the above three.
SOLUS CHRISTUS or SOLO CHRISTO ("Christ alone" )
The expression, solus Christus, means "only Christ," and indicates that Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. In other words, there is salvation through no other person, on account of no other person’s intervention or intercession, whether rector, bishop, or Pope. The phrase is sometimes rendered, solo Christo, since salvation is "by Christ alone." This SOLA of the Reformation rejects “sacerdotalism,” a term meaning that there are no valid sacraments in the church without the services of a properly ordained clergy. Most Protestant denominations understand the Bible to teach that there are only two continuing ordinances in the Christian church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Roman Catholic Church claims there are seven authorized practices, including baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In most cases, these sacraments must be administered by a priestly person in order possess a holy nature and sanctifying influence.
Solus Christus does not deny the office of ministry in the church, to which is committed the public proclamation of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments. On the contrary, it affirms that Christ is the only priest (the High Priest) of his church, and that no saving grace at all is communicated to human beings except through him. His ministers (his pastors and teachers) are commissioned by him to bring the light and life of salvation to the attention of saints and sinners, but they are not the “administrators” of salvation in any other sense than being messengers and
“managers” of Biblical truth.
The expression, solus Christus, means "only Christ," and indicates that Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. In other words, there is salvation through no other person, on account of no other person’s intervention or intercession, whether rector, bishop, or Pope. The phrase is sometimes rendered, solo Christo, since salvation is "by Christ alone." This SOLA of the Reformation rejects “sacerdotalism,” a term meaning that there are no valid sacraments in the church without the services of a properly ordained clergy. Most Protestant denominations understand the Bible to teach that there are only two continuing ordinances in the Christian church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Roman Catholic Church claims there are seven authorized practices, including baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In most cases, these sacraments must be administered by a priestly person in order possess a holy nature and sanctifying influence.
Solus Christus does not deny the office of ministry in the church, to which is committed the public proclamation of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments. On the contrary, it affirms that Christ is the only priest (the High Priest) of his church, and that no saving grace at all is communicated to human beings except through him. His ministers (his pastors and teachers) are commissioned by him to bring the light and life of salvation to the attention of saints and sinners, but they are not the “administrators” of salvation in any other sense than being messengers and
“managers” of Biblical truth.
SOLI DEO GLORIA ("glory to God alone")
Soli Deo gloria teaches that all glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and his action. Not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross, but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit, is the sole work of God. The reformers believed that human beings, even saints and popes and clergy canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, are not worthy of the glory that has been accorded them.
Soli Deo gloria teaches that all glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and his action. Not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross, but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit, is the sole work of God. The reformers believed that human beings, even saints and popes and clergy canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, are not worthy of the glory that has been accorded them.
Dear family, here we are to come with some helpful questions on which we are going to discuss some important points to understand God's word.
1. What are God’s thoughts about you?
2. What is God’s will for you?
3. Where does God show us how we may be saved?
4. How did God give the Bible to us?
5. Does the Bible teach you everything necessary for salvation?
6. Is the Bible sometimes hard to understand?
7. How should you correctly use the Bible?
8. Why should you pray for help in understanding the Bible?
9. What is the main truth of the Bible?
10. What are the two main teachings of the Bible?
11. What is the Law? and
12. What is the Gospel?
2. What is God’s will for you?
3. Where does God show us how we may be saved?
4. How did God give the Bible to us?
5. Does the Bible teach you everything necessary for salvation?
6. Is the Bible sometimes hard to understand?
7. How should you correctly use the Bible?
8. Why should you pray for help in understanding the Bible?
9. What is the main truth of the Bible?
10. What are the two main teachings of the Bible?
11. What is the Law? and
12. What is the Gospel?
Dear family and friends, we have come with some sort of explanation on part of the above twelve questions. We hope you will get main points in the following short explanations. Please take a look at them carefully and thoroughly. Blessings!
1. What are God’s thoughts about you?
God’s thoughts about me are thoughts of love and blessing.
John 3:16—For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.
Psalm 139:17—How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
2. What is God’s will for you?
God’s will is that I be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth
(1 Timothy 2:3,4).
John 10:10—“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
3. Where does God show us how we may be saved?
God shows us how we may be saved in His Holy Word, the Bible.
John 20:31—These [words] are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.
4. How did God give the Bible to us?
God gave us His written word by inspiring chosen prophets,
evangelists, and apostles, giving them the thoughts and words to
write.
2 Peter 1:21—For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man,
but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy
Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16—All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...
1 Corinthians 2:13—This is what we speak, not in words taught
us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing
spiritual truths in spiritual words.
5. Does the Bible teach you everything necessary for salvation?
Yes, the Bible alone teaches the complete truth about salvation.
John 20:30,31—Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
2 Peter 1:3,4—His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us
by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises, so that through them you may
participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world caused by evil desires.
See also John 5:24.
6. Is the Bible sometimes hard to understand?
The Bible is sometimes hard to understand, but it is clear enough to
those who use it correctly.
1. What are God’s thoughts about you?
God’s thoughts about me are thoughts of love and blessing.
John 3:16—For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.
Psalm 139:17—How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
2. What is God’s will for you?
God’s will is that I be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth
(1 Timothy 2:3,4).
John 10:10—“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
3. Where does God show us how we may be saved?
God shows us how we may be saved in His Holy Word, the Bible.
John 20:31—These [words] are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.
4. How did God give the Bible to us?
God gave us His written word by inspiring chosen prophets,
evangelists, and apostles, giving them the thoughts and words to
write.
2 Peter 1:21—For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man,
but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy
Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16—All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...
1 Corinthians 2:13—This is what we speak, not in words taught
us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing
spiritual truths in spiritual words.
5. Does the Bible teach you everything necessary for salvation?
Yes, the Bible alone teaches the complete truth about salvation.
John 20:30,31—Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
2 Peter 1:3,4—His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us
by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises, so that through them you may
participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world caused by evil desires.
See also John 5:24.
6. Is the Bible sometimes hard to understand?
The Bible is sometimes hard to understand, but it is clear enough to
those who use it correctly.