the cuppboard

inhimthereisnoshadowofturning asked: Hi! You mentioned that you have a hard time with the concept of sola fide. What is that? (Pardon my protestant ignorance)

No worries! “Sola fide” is one of the five “solas” (the Latin term for “only” or “alone”)  which emerged during the Protestant Reformation to describe where Protestants and Catholics differed. 

The five solas were

1. Sola Scriptura (“by Scripture Alone”)
2. Sola Fide (“by Faith Alone”)
3. Sola Gratia (“by Grace Alone”)
4. Solus Christus (“Christ Alone”)
5. Soli Deo Gloria (“Glory to God Alone”)

Sola fide expresses the belief that God declares a sinner righteous by faith only, and that “works” play no part in the righteousness of the sinner. 

I am definitely no theologian, but I think this sums it up pretty well. If anyone has any corrections, please let me know!

♥ee