5 "Solas" came out of the Reformation period, and Soli Deo Gloria was of equal importance in the minds of the Reformers during the Middle Ages.
The phrase: "Soli Deo Gloria" is of Latin origin meaning: Glory to God Alone. The phrase has been used in a number of ways including some great artists using this phrase in their musical pieces like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Organizations today have this great phrase incorporated into their motto including: Wheaton Academy, the Chapel Choir of Capital University, and numerous colleges.
The basic meaning to this phrase is that everything that we do in life is to be done for God's Glory, and any human effort, a selfish pride, or any form of self glorification must and always be excluded.
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church held an opposing view to the "Soli Deo Gloria". It was not they disagreed with the phrase itself, but how it was interpreted. For the Roman Church, it was thought the Church was (and still is) the mystical body of Christ. Therefore, to honor and give glory to the Church was to honor Christ Himself. Centuries later Pope Pius XII said: " The Mystical Body of Christ...is the Catholic Church." (Pope Pius XII was head of the Church from 1939 to 1958).
Reformers believed any human element: the Church, the Pope, the Church Hierarchy, and the canonized saints were not to be included in this Sola: "all Glory belongs to the Lord."
A little later, in 1647, a large group of Pastors in England created questions and answers to help teach some major Bible themes and truths, for the present and future generations. This was to be known as: "The Westminster Catechism." One main question that arose from this "catechism" was: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer:" To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever."This answer found its origin from this very "Sola": Glory to God Alone!
It was an extremely dangerous and demanding era for one to grasp and confess the 5 "Solas"during the Middle Ages. The division, the cruelty, the perversions, and the murders of "the innocent" demonstrated a sad and disgraceful time for the true Christian faith.
Nevertheless, the Reformers "held tight" to the 5 Solas, and because of their dedication, which at times meant the giving up of their very lives, enables us today to have the freedom of worship in many parts of the world, including giving Glory to God for all He has done for each one of us.
At the same time, one can only imagine the true joy and freedom of hearing and reading the Sacred Scriptures, many for the first time in their lives...in their own native language!
And one could only conclude, when those verses entered the heart of those who took courage in what is now deemed "The Reformation"....the intensity and passion that followed. It is of no wonder these men and women laid down their very lives to bring the True Word of God into the lives of those then...and the lives of us today! How could you not proclaim from your own heart: "Soli Deo Gloria!"
Here are some scriptural verses the Reformers began to read and understand in reference to their new found freedom in Christ Jesus. "These "Freedom-Fighters" were energized by the very power and authority of God's Holy Word...the Sacred Scriptures!
Notice how many of these verses end in Amen...meaning "So be it". Don't take that phrase too lightly...when an "Amen" was shouted...it had a literal sense to it, in other words, " This is it my friend, I stand with this proclamation to the end..that is...to my very death!"
"Once you get a taste for God's Holy Word.....turning back is no longer a thought"
"If anyone should speak, they should do so as one who speaks the very true and real words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so in the strength God provides for them, so that in all things we do God Himself receives all the praise through our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is all to Him be given all the glory...all the power...forever and ever. Amen!"
1 Peter 4:11
"He has made us a kingdom...full of priests!...each one of us! And the reason?...that God the Father may receive all the glory!...all the power!...forever and ever! Amen!"
Revelation 1:6
"This is my 2nd letter to you, my dear friends. In both of these letters my desire is to stimulate a wholesome train of thought, and to refresh your memory as to how life as a believer should be..."
2 Peter 3:1
"For it is to Him...in fact, it must always be to Him!...that is where the glory of the church truly belongs! For in so doing this brings praise to God, all of this coming through the Lord Jesus...throughout every generation...both now and forever! Amen!"
Ephesians 3:21
"For they sing the song "Amen!"...so be it! All Blessings, All Praise, All Wisdom, and All Glory, accompanied with the "Songs of Thanksgiving and Songs of Honor", all of this being done to His Mighty Power...His Mighty Strength...all of this and so much more! The Glory...all of it!...belongs to our God...both now and forever! Amen!"
Revelation 7:12
Finally,
" Here is the way it all works. Everything comes from Him! You see, all things originate from Him, all things come through Him, and all things point to Him! To further that thought, all things are to center on Him, and all things consummate and end...in Him! So then, it is to Him be all the Glory..forever...Amen!"
Romans 11:36
I would like to dedicate this article to a Reformer...one who is alive today, that being my own Pastor. I remember a few short years ago, I was perplexed about a situation that I was not sure what to do. I shared this with him, and his response: "Whatever will give Him the Glory!"
At that moment, it totally changed me...the answer was quite simple, and the burden was entirely lifted...and I replied: "Amen!"
The phrase: "Soli Deo Gloria" is of Latin origin meaning: Glory to God Alone. The phrase has been used in a number of ways including some great artists using this phrase in their musical pieces like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Organizations today have this great phrase incorporated into their motto including: Wheaton Academy, the Chapel Choir of Capital University, and numerous colleges.
The basic meaning to this phrase is that everything that we do in life is to be done for God's Glory, and any human effort, a selfish pride, or any form of self glorification must and always be excluded.
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church held an opposing view to the "Soli Deo Gloria". It was not they disagreed with the phrase itself, but how it was interpreted. For the Roman Church, it was thought the Church was (and still is) the mystical body of Christ. Therefore, to honor and give glory to the Church was to honor Christ Himself. Centuries later Pope Pius XII said: " The Mystical Body of Christ...is the Catholic Church." (Pope Pius XII was head of the Church from 1939 to 1958).
Reformers believed any human element: the Church, the Pope, the Church Hierarchy, and the canonized saints were not to be included in this Sola: "all Glory belongs to the Lord."
A little later, in 1647, a large group of Pastors in England created questions and answers to help teach some major Bible themes and truths, for the present and future generations. This was to be known as: "The Westminster Catechism." One main question that arose from this "catechism" was: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer:" To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever."This answer found its origin from this very "Sola": Glory to God Alone!
It was an extremely dangerous and demanding era for one to grasp and confess the 5 "Solas"during the Middle Ages. The division, the cruelty, the perversions, and the murders of "the innocent" demonstrated a sad and disgraceful time for the true Christian faith.
Nevertheless, the Reformers "held tight" to the 5 Solas, and because of their dedication, which at times meant the giving up of their very lives, enables us today to have the freedom of worship in many parts of the world, including giving Glory to God for all He has done for each one of us.
At the same time, one can only imagine the true joy and freedom of hearing and reading the Sacred Scriptures, many for the first time in their lives...in their own native language!
And one could only conclude, when those verses entered the heart of those who took courage in what is now deemed "The Reformation"....the intensity and passion that followed. It is of no wonder these men and women laid down their very lives to bring the True Word of God into the lives of those then...and the lives of us today! How could you not proclaim from your own heart: "Soli Deo Gloria!"
Here are some scriptural verses the Reformers began to read and understand in reference to their new found freedom in Christ Jesus. "These "Freedom-Fighters" were energized by the very power and authority of God's Holy Word...the Sacred Scriptures!
Notice how many of these verses end in Amen...meaning "So be it". Don't take that phrase too lightly...when an "Amen" was shouted...it had a literal sense to it, in other words, " This is it my friend, I stand with this proclamation to the end..that is...to my very death!"
"Once you get a taste for God's Holy Word.....turning back is no longer a thought"
"If anyone should speak, they should do so as one who speaks the very true and real words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so in the strength God provides for them, so that in all things we do God Himself receives all the praise through our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is all to Him be given all the glory...all the power...forever and ever. Amen!"1 Peter 4:11
"He has made us a kingdom...full of priests!...each one of us! And the reason?...that God the Father may receive all the glory!...all the power!...forever and ever! Amen!"
Revelation 1:6
"This is my 2nd letter to you, my dear friends. In both of these letters my desire is to stimulate a wholesome train of thought, and to refresh your memory as to how life as a believer should be..."
2 Peter 3:1
"For it is to Him...in fact, it must always be to Him!...that is where the glory of the church truly belongs! For in so doing this brings praise to God, all of this coming through the Lord Jesus...throughout every generation...both now and forever! Amen!"
Ephesians 3:21
"For they sing the song "Amen!"...so be it! All Blessings, All Praise, All Wisdom, and All Glory, accompanied with the "Songs of Thanksgiving and Songs of Honor", all of this being done to His Mighty Power...His Mighty Strength...all of this and so much more! The Glory...all of it!...belongs to our God...both now and forever! Amen!"
Revelation 7:12
Finally,
" Here is the way it all works. Everything comes from Him! You see, all things originate from Him, all things come through Him, and all things point to Him! To further that thought, all things are to center on Him, and all things consummate and end...in Him! So then, it is to Him be all the Glory..forever...Amen!"
Romans 11:36
I would like to dedicate this article to a Reformer...one who is alive today, that being my own Pastor. I remember a few short years ago, I was perplexed about a situation that I was not sure what to do. I shared this with him, and his response: "Whatever will give Him the Glory!"
At that moment, it totally changed me...the answer was quite simple, and the burden was entirely lifted...and I replied: "Amen!"
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