Solus Christus or In Christo solo (Latin in + ablative, sōlō Christō, meaning "in Christ alone") is one of the five solae that summarize the Protestant Reformers' basic belief that salvation is by faith in Christ alone.[1]

Doctrine edit

Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ alone, apart from individual works, and that Christ is the only mediator between God and man.[1][2] It holds that salvation cannot be obtained without Christ.[1][3]

This is in opposition to Catholic doctrine which Mary, mother of Jesus is also mediator between God and humanity (Mediatrix).[4]

Biblical arguments edit

As the foundation of the "solus christus" doctrine, various biblical verses can be invoked according to theologians.

  • John 14:6 – "Jesus replied: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
  • First Epistle to Timothy 2:5 – "Because there is only one God, and only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
  • Acts 4:10–12 – "May all of you and all the people of Israel know that this happened in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth […] And there is no salvation in anyone else; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Smith, D. Blair (Spring 2018). "Solus Christus: Against the Idol-Making Factory". Reformed Faith & Practice: The Journal of Reformed Theological Seminary. 3 (1). Orlando, FL: Reformed Theological Seminary: 13–27. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  2. ^ Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation, Vol. 2, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2017, p. 722
  3. ^ William A. Dyrness, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church, InterVarsity Press, USA, 2009, p. 512
  4. ^ Antoine Nachef (Sep 1, 2000) Mary's Pope: John Paul II, Mary, and the Church, ISBN 1-58051077-9, pp. 179–180

External links edit