The Modern "Solas"

I found a gem at the Scott Brown Online blog. This is a great contrast between true Christianity and what passes for "Christianity" today. Brown contrasts the original Five Reformational Solas with seven that could pass for today's solas.

First I explain what the original solas are. This is from a post I wrote in 2004:

The solas were formulated by the leading 16th century Reformers to unify their theology. Sola means only or alone in Latin. Latin was the "business" language of the day, just as French was in the 19th and early 20th century, and English is now. Therefore, so everyone would understand the solas back then, they were put into Latin.

I've put everyday lay people's definitions to them as well as the journalistic "W's" and "H" which I found at another site.

So here are the five solas:

1. Sola gratia-by God's grace alone we have our salvation-the Why.

2. Sola fide-by faith alone we have our salvation-the How.

3. Sola Christus-by Christ alone and His atoning substitutionary work on the cross we have our salvation-the Who.

4. Sola Scripture-by Scripture alone we understand where to find out about our salvation-the Where.

5. Soli dei gloria-to God alone be the glory for our salvation-the For What Purpose.



Now, here is "today's solas" given at Brown's blog:

Layman's guide to the key drivers of the 21st century church


1. Sola Cultura - let culture define church life


2. Sola Successa - let numerical success legitimize activities


3. Sola Entertaina - let entertainment be the guiding principle


4. Sola Edificia - let the edifice be the center of church life


5. Sola Programma - let programs dominate the peoples time


6. Sola Thralldoma – let the people be enslaved by whatever thrills them


7. Sola Processa – let the church be managed by business philosophies and processes

Source: http://www.scottbrownonline.com/ScottBrownOnline/Welcome_to_Scott_Brown_Online/Entries/2008/7/15_Seven_Sola%E2%80%99s_of_the_Modern_Church.html