Joel Beeke Reformed Systematic Theology
Although the truths of the evangelical faith are as broad as the sweep of the great confessions and catechisms, the central Reformation heritage may be identified by the five sola that stand like signposts to keep us from swerving off the narrow road of the gospel. The word solus or sola (Latin for “alone” or “only”) is crucial for protecting biblical truth from deadly compromise.
Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone). The Holy Scriptures are our supreme and only rule of faith and life; they, not human tradition and reasoning, determine our faith and command our obedience. This means that evangelical theologians are suspicious of fallen reason, so they test their beliefs and practices by the Holy Scriptures. We receive the Bible “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) — truthful, uniquely authoritative, and without error. Our minds are servants to receive the Word, not to judge it. The principle of sola Scriptura neither rejects Christian tradition nor sets it alongside the Bible as another source of divine revelation, but requires that tradition be tested and sifted by the written Word of God. If God is God, then he is beyond our comprehension and his Word holds absolute authority. This principle also means that we reject anyone who claims to be an infallible prophet for God today, as though God had not spoken his final word in Christ, as attested by Scripture.
Psalm 138:2b for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Sola gratia (by grace alone). God’s grace alone, not human goodness and effort, saves sinners. Evangelical theology does not teach people to look for salvation in sacraments, good works, or decisions for Christ. It stands opposed to notions of human freedom, willpower, or merit. Salvation belongs to the Lord. The words of Christ resonate with us: Ye must be born again (John 3:7). This implies that mankind is deeply corrupted by sin and that we are unable to save ourselves (Romans 3:10–12; Romans 8:7–8; Ephesians 2:1–3). Salvation is not a matter of receiving instructions about how to help yourself out of a predicament; in salvation, God raises those who are dead in sin to a new life of faith, hope, and love (Ephesians 2:5–10).
Sovereign grace exalts God in blessing us and humbles us in receiving his blessing. Grace calls us (Galatians 1:15), regenerates us (Titus 3:5), justifies us (Romans 3:24), sanctifies us (Hebrews 13:20–21), and preserves us (1 Peter 1:3–5). We need grace to quicken us, to forgive us, to return us to God, to heal our broken hearts, to strengthen us in times of trouble and spiritual warfare, and to keep us to the end. Sovereign grace crushes our pride. We want to be the agents of salvation, not mere recipients. By nature, we rebel against sovereign grace, but God knows how to break our rebellion and make us friends of this grand doctrine. When God teaches sinners that they are depraved to the very core, sovereign grace becomes the most encouraging doctrine of all. From election to glorification, grace reigns in splendid isolation and locates all our life and joy in the Lord. See Salvation Through Grace Alone and not Works
Solus Christus (by Christ alone). Christ alone acts as our Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior, not the saints, the angels, the ministry and rites of the church, or our good works,. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). We live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20). Only Jesus Christ as Mediator can be our Prophet to teach us, our Priest to reconcile us to friendship with the holy God, and our King to deliver us from our enemies and rule us by his Word and Spirit. Christ is not merely the door into the kingdom; he is also the way we must travel to glory. “And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:10). Christ is “unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
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Although the truths of the evangelical faith are as broad as the sweep of the great confessions and catechisms, the central Reformation heritage may be identified by the five sola that stand like signposts to keep us from swerving off the narrow road of the gospel. The word solus or sola (Latin for “alone” or “only”) is crucial for protecting biblical truth from deadly compromise.
Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone). The Holy Scriptures are our supreme and only rule of faith and life; they, not human tradition and reasoning, determine our faith and command our obedience. This means that evangelical theologians are suspicious of fallen reason, so they test their beliefs and practices by the Holy Scriptures. We receive the Bible “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) — truthful, uniquely authoritative, and without error. Our minds are servants to receive the Word, not to judge it. The principle of sola Scriptura neither rejects Christian tradition nor sets it alongside the Bible as another source of divine revelation, but requires that tradition be tested and sifted by the written Word of God. If God is God, then he is beyond our comprehension and his Word holds absolute authority. This principle also means that we reject anyone who claims to be an infallible prophet for God today, as though God had not spoken his final word in Christ, as attested by Scripture.
Psalm 138:2b for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Sola gratia (by grace alone). God’s grace alone, not human goodness and effort, saves sinners. Evangelical theology does not teach people to look for salvation in sacraments, good works, or decisions for Christ. It stands opposed to notions of human freedom, willpower, or merit. Salvation belongs to the Lord. The words of Christ resonate with us: Ye must be born again (John 3:7). This implies that mankind is deeply corrupted by sin and that we are unable to save ourselves (Romans 3:10–12; Romans 8:7–8; Ephesians 2:1–3). Salvation is not a matter of receiving instructions about how to help yourself out of a predicament; in salvation, God raises those who are dead in sin to a new life of faith, hope, and love (Ephesians 2:5–10).
Sovereign grace exalts God in blessing us and humbles us in receiving his blessing. Grace calls us (Galatians 1:15), regenerates us (Titus 3:5), justifies us (Romans 3:24), sanctifies us (Hebrews 13:20–21), and preserves us (1 Peter 1:3–5). We need grace to quicken us, to forgive us, to return us to God, to heal our broken hearts, to strengthen us in times of trouble and spiritual warfare, and to keep us to the end. Sovereign grace crushes our pride. We want to be the agents of salvation, not mere recipients. By nature, we rebel against sovereign grace, but God knows how to break our rebellion and make us friends of this grand doctrine. When God teaches sinners that they are depraved to the very core, sovereign grace becomes the most encouraging doctrine of all. From election to glorification, grace reigns in splendid isolation and locates all our life and joy in the Lord. See Salvation Through Grace Alone and not Works
Solus Christus (by Christ alone). Christ alone acts as our Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior, not the saints, the angels, the ministry and rites of the church, or our good works,. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). We live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20). Only Jesus Christ as Mediator can be our Prophet to teach us, our Priest to reconcile us to friendship with the holy God, and our King to deliver us from our enemies and rule us by his Word and Spirit. Christ is not merely the door into the kingdom; he is also the way we must travel to glory. “And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:10). Christ is “unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
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