Below you will find the Catholic responses to the five solas of the Protestant Reformation:
- Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
Catholic Belief: The highest authority is the Word of God. The Word of God includes the spoken words and actions of Jesus Christ as passed on to the Apostles (Tradition), and the written Word of God in Sacred Scripture. Both create a single divinely inspired source which is authentically interpreted by the help of the Holy Spirit through the teaching authority (Magisterium) of Christ’s Church as he commands, “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me” (Luke 10:16).
“I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.” (1 Cor. 11:2)
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thess. 2:15)
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (2 Thess. 3:6)
“[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2)
- Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
Catholic Belief: We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ and a continued cooperation with God’s grace (“works”).
“The merit of man before God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first on his own initiative, and then follows man’s free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God, then to the faithful. Man’s merit, moreover, itself is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 2008)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)
- Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
Catholic Belief: Yes, “Our justification comes from the grace of God.” (CCC 1996). And we must cooperate with this grace (see above).
- Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
Catholic Belief: Yes, all salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
- Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.
Catholic Belief: Yes, we adore and worship God alone. We respect and honor Saints who spent their lives on earth glorifying God and are now perfectly united with him in Heaven. They are role models for us but do not receive our adoration and worship.
You say Saints do not receive your adoration and worship and yet how many times do you give adoration and worship through prayer to Mary on the rosary? Whole, huge cathedrals are built and named after saints.
If salvation is through Jesus why do Catholics have to constantly confess their sins to a man; a priest, instead of just to Jesus? Why do Catholic give tremendous adoration to the Pope? These are legitimate questions I’d love to know the answer to. People ask these questions or make these statements, how are they proven untrue?
Thanks for your comment! Catholics don’t worship Mary or the Saints, Jesus told us in scripture to confess our sins to one another, Catholics do not worship the Pope. You can find further information in the book on this website (https://www.garlandofrosesmedia.com/a-miracle-awaits-book/) or I encourage you to visit Catholic.com and you can search and find answers to all your questions. There is also a really great program called “Called to Communion”. You can search for it on Youtube or listen to it online or on the radio. There you can call in and ask any question you have about the Catholic faith or just listen to a few episodes as your questions often come up. Thanks again and God bless!