When the Reformers cried Sola Scriptura “Scripture Alone” they were not inventing a new idea. They were calling the church back to its ancient foundation: the Bible as the final authority in faith and life.
This great principle declares that every doctrine, every tradition, and every teaching must be measured by the Word of God. It’s not that the Reformers rejected the church’s role or the wisdom of Christian teachers; rather, they insisted that the Bible alone is inspired, sufficient, and supreme.
The Heart of Sola Scriptura
At its core, Sola Scriptura affirms that the Scriptures contain everything we need for salvation and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16–17). It teaches that the Bible interprets itself clearly and consistently when read under the light of the Holy Spirit. This truth gives believers confidence: we do not depend on secret traditions or modern philosophies, but on the Word that never changes.
As John Calvin wrote, “The Scriptures obtain full authority among believers only when men regard them as having sprung from heaven, as if there the living words of God were heard.”
The Modern Challenge
Today, we live in an age of countless opinions sermons, blogs, podcasts, and social media voices competing for authority. Yet only Scripture stands as the unchanging voice of God. The church must resist the temptation to follow the world’s trends and instead remain rooted in the unshakable truth of God’s Word.
Living Out Sola Scriptura
Practically, this means every Christian should be a student of the Bible. Read it daily. Meditate on it deeply. Let it shape your convictions and correct your errors. When we live under the authority of Scripture, we live under the Lordship of Christ Himself.
Recommended Books:
- Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
- The Authority and Inspiration of the Scriptures by B.B. Warfield
- Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul