What is this “Sola Scriptura” of the Reformation?

It’s one of the five solas of the reformation. They are sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria. The Latin means: scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and to the glory of God alone. Sola Scriptura is the anchor of the Christian faith. I recently discussed how this concept defines the widening gap between the ELCA and the LCMS. Today, we’re talking about the history of sola scriptura by itself.

Prior to the Reformation, the scriptures were only available to Europeans in Latin and in expensive, closely guarded handwritten copies. Two men changed that situation. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press (cir. 1450 AD), which made printed and reprinted materials accessible to many more people. Martin Luther translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into German (1521-1522 AD), which made the Word of God accessible to common folk, to read and hear. An unintended consequence of the Luther Bible was a codification of one dialect of German as predominant.

Shortly thereafter, vulgar translations appeared throughout Europe. Used this way, vulgar doesn’t mean “crass.” Vulgus, latin: common language, means the language spoken commonly by the people around us. The Vulgate, the Latin bible of St. Jerome, was created by the same impetus. St. Jerome wanted to provide the people with a Bible in their own language. It became ensconced in the European church as the only language for the Christian faith. But, St. Jerome and Martin Luther were inspired by similar intentions.

The Roman officials in Luther’s day opposed making the scriptures available in the common language for various reasons. One significant reason was perspicuity. Rome held that the common folk can’t understand the Word of God. For the Lutheran reformers, the opposite was true. We hold to perspicuity, understandability of the scriptures. Those passages that are less clear are revealed by the passages that are more clear. The principle, scripture interprets scripture, keeps us looking to God’s Word to reveal itself from within.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” [2 Timothy 3:16-17]

Now, American Christianity suffers from a selfish, egotistical view of the scriptures. We tend to think of the Word of God and its study as a pattern of life and knowledge outside the church. The Reformers would be aghast at this idea. We have no promise of receiving or sustaining saving faith apart from the public proclamation of God’s Word. It is the hearing that produces and sustains faith.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” [Romans 10:17]

We have a promise that by hearing, we receive. And, we do. The faith that comes by hearing is ours to receive often. It’s imperative for us to remember that me and my Bible in solitude, though plausible for us now, is not how God promises to work in us. His gifts through His Word are corporate in function. They are for the whole body, gathered together, as we do each Sunday morning.

Always hear and be conformed by the Word of God.

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX