Introduction

The Puritan Reformation eventually produced the five solas. The puritans were part of a movement in the 16th and 17th centuries that desired to be theologically sound and rid themselves of all sin. The Puritans were generally part of the Anglican Church and they wanted to “purify” the church to the heart of God’s Word.

In general, the five solas outline the doctrine of justification. This paper will focus on how the five solas apply to sanctification of a follow of Jesus. Sanctification is growing to be more like Jesus, which means being less like one’s old self. Owen states, “Rom. 8:13, “If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live;” and reduce the whole to an improvement of the great evangelical truth and mystery contained in them.”[1] The Puritan Reformation helped bring the Reformation into all other areas beyond the church.

Historical Significance

The five solas are five key principles to guide the Christian to the heart of God. The five solas include: Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone).

Sola gratia is a gift from God and there is nothing one can add. The Puritan would not typically describe salvific grace as a finite point in time, but more like a process. Gerald Sittser states, “The Puritans defined conversion as a process.”[2] Theologians and pastors in the puritan movement would have different views on salvation, but it is because sanctification is generally the observed evidence of salvation. Sittser further explains, they would look “for more than an event; they wanted to see evidence of a life that had been converted to God.”[3]

The next principle, Sola Fide, is the path to salvation but also sanctification. Paul addressed the Roman church by stating, “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5).

Christ alone, or Solus Christus, is the principle that there is no other way to God. Jesus said, “"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Only faith enables believers to live in the world as God intends.”[4]

Scripture is the only authoritative Word of God, and it is where the reformers got the principle, Sola Scriptura. The practical side of the sola scriptura is the active part the Christian must play. In other words, scripture does not do anything for the Christian alone, the Christians must listen. “The ordinary means to redemption (regular attendance upon the preached word and the proper application of scripture explication) suggest an enabled partnership.”[5]

Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone). Sittser explains Soli Deo Gloria, Puritans lean toward a process by which one glorifies God.[6] The Puritans viewed the glory of God to expand to all areas of life and not simply to traditional religious practices. “In this sense all work has dignity and purpose, no matter how mean and lowly, just as all work can bring glory to God.”[7]

Formational Significance

The principle of “Grace Alone” specifically focuses on salvation as a gift of God. However, grace is an important concept in spiritual formation of the believer. One clear example of grace being present in spiritual formation is found in the first chapter of the book of Romans. Romans is a book written by the Apostle Paul and he addresses a church he had yet to meet. Paul started many churches, but the church in Rome he prayed, “that now at last by God’s will that way may be opened for me to come to you” (Romans 1:8).

Paul desires to impart “some spiritual gift to make you strong” (Romans 1:11). Paul is address Christians and saying he wants to give grace, which is the message of the gospel, to help strengthen them spiritually. In fact, Paul clarifies the grace he wants to give by stating, “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome” (Romans 1:15). If there is any confusion of the grace that will help in their spiritual formation, Paul reminds them of the power of the gospel that saved them also strengthens them (Romans 1:16).

Sola Fide, or “Faith Alone,” is the next principle in he Five Solas that also contributes to spiritual formation. Faith is simply trust or confidence God will follow through. Faith is a constant and not a one-time part of salvation. God’s Word presents faith as action steps of trust, which shapes the believer to look more like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:7, states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Furthermore, Paul instructs Timothy to “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Faith presented in the Bible is directional and not only a single instance in the past. For example, the phrase, “the righteous shall live by faith” is quoted four times in the Bible. Faith is a means God uses to form Christians and it is continuously acted out.

Following Jesus is exclusive, since it is through “Solus Christus” but it is inclusive because all are welcome. Paul teaches the that everyone is welcome, but it is exclusive to people submitted to the lordship of Jesus. For example, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It could be argued that Romans 10:9 is only salvation, but there is no time a Christian is not submitted to the lordship of Jesus.

People are either in the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light, which is through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:3-5). One of the most clear biblical texts for Solus Christus in spiritual formation is, Jesus’ statement, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Spiritual formation for the Christian is impossible without scripture. Genesis chapter one and Romans chapter one indicates people have enough information of God’s existence. Creation shouts of God’s existence (Psalm 19:1). However, everyone needs scripture to follow Jesus and be molded after him. Even the eyewitnesses had the Old Testament scriptures that were necessary to point to an confirm Jesus as the Messiah. Paul’s training to Timothy shows the key formational factors Scripture provides, “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Soli Deo Gloria is the last sola involved with spiritual formation and it is all encompassing. One can experience the glory of God as He washes them. “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5). Daily living, for the Puritan, was cleansing as the glory of God was present. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Practical Application

Spiritual formation practices relate to the solas and leaders in a modern context can use these practices in formational processes. The principle of Grace Alone is pivotal and multiple practices help incorporate it into spiritual formation of the believer. For example, silence and solitude is effective to simply rest in Jesus’ finished work. The world is busy and noisy with all the information coming at people, but sitting in silene can focus a Christian back to the Lord. There is discipline in setting a time to be in silence. Often services are packed with different things, but a pastor can intentionally have times of quiet.

Silence goes along with prayer to shape the believer back on to the grace of God. It is important to be in a quiet place to hear from God in prayer. In spiritual formation of a follower of Jesus, prayer is not just talking to God, but it is talking with God. It is very difficult to hear from God with all the noise coming in. The prophet Elijah learned that God spoke in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). Adding in periods of prayer in every element of a service or devotional is a practical way to implement prayer.

The truth of Sola Gratia is found in the Scriptures, so Bible reading is needed in spiritual formation. It is advised to have regular Bible reading in every spiritual formation plan and focus on the grace of God. Training the believer to look for the message of grace in the Scriptures helps them grow spiritually. Getting God’s Word in Christians will lead to a desire to worship.

The worship service should have songs that focus on grace alone. Many modern worship songs talk about great things, but they often do not focus on God’s grace. A practical way is to have the worship pastor read through lyrics and think how they may shape the Christian, then adjust if necessary.

[1] John Owen, The Works of John Owen, ed. William H. Goold, vol. 6 (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, n.d.), 5.

[2] Gerald L. Sittser, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries, (IVP Books, 2007), 240.

[3] Gerald L. Sittser, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries, (IVP Books, 2007), 242.

[4] Ibid., 204.

[5] Meredith Marie Neuman, Jeremiah's Scribes : Creating Sermon Literature in Puritan New England, (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013), 11.

[6] Gerald L. Sittser, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries, (IVP Books, 2007), 244.

[7] Gerald L. Sittser, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries, (IVP Books, 2007), 205.