What Did the Protestant Reformers Mean by Solus Christus?

Linda Lyle

Solus Christus is a Latin phrase that translates to Christ alone, but what does that mean? How does it apply to modern Christians? The phrase came out of the Protestant Reformation when many clergy and scholars became concerned that the church had lost sight of biblical truths and become corrupted by power and greed. To combat this trend, the Reformers coined five phrases that summarized a comprehensive, interconnected doctrine that clarified Christianity’s foundation as seen in Scripture.

We live in a fallen world that is always trying to bend God’s truths to suit its own personal agenda. Modern Christians must know the Bible’s truths to stand firm when criticism and opposition arise. So, let’s take a closer look at how the phrase Solus Christus came to be and how we can apply it even today.

Who Coined the Phrase Solus Christus?

One of the major issues that led to the Protestant Reformation was the indulgence controversy of the medieval church. The indulgence was a writ offered by the church guaranteeing the remission of sins in exchange for payment. Indulgences especially became connected with purgatory, the Roman Catholic belief that Christians must work through their sins in the afterlife before reaching heaven. One popular medieval jingle said, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul out of purgatory springs.” Indulgences became an easy way for churches to generate money for renovations and other projects and sometimes for clergy to line their own pockets.

German priest Martin Luther claimed the sale of indulgences was unbiblical, saying, “The cross alone is our theology.” You cannot pay your way into heaven because it is not based on human effort but on Christ’s work on the cross. Eventually, it was condensed into the phrase Solus Christus as part of the Reformers’ summation of scriptural truths.

Where Does Solus Christus Fit with the Other Reformation Solas?

According to “The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation” by Justin Holcomb, the five Reformation sola statements are as follows:

1. Sola Scriptura, or “Scripture Alone,” meaning only God’s Word is authoritative.
2. Sola Fide, or “Faith Alone,” asserts that we can only enter a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Sola Gratia, or “Grace Alone,” reminds us that we can receive salvation only through God’s grace or unmerited favor.
4. Solus Christus, or “Christ Alone,” tells us that faith in Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God.
5. Soli Deo Gloria, or “to the glory of God Alone,” reminds us that all praise and glory belongs to God, the source of salvation, and not anything we have done.

All five work together, but the statements center on Christ’s work on the cross and his death, burial, and resurrection. Christ is the only mediator for humanity’s salvation. There can be no other intermediaries, such as saints or rituals, and you most certainly cannot buy your way into Heaven. We owe a debt we cannot repay, and Christ’s sacrificial death paid the penalty for our sins in full.

Do We See Solus Christus in the Bible?

Scripture supports the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone, who is our mediator before God. For example, these verses show Jesus and the later New Testament writers describing his role in salvation:

• “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
• “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
• “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
• “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)
• “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

What Made Solus Christus So Controversial?

Some opponents of the phrase Solus Christus thought the Reformers were saying Jesus was apart from the rest of the Trinity. However, the Reformers knew Christ could not be separated from the Trinity. The meaning is that Christ’s sacrifice alone makes salvation possible, so no human effort can purchase it through money or rituals.

Another issue has arisen in the modern church. Some modern evangelicals think that salvation is possible through general revelation or that there are opportunities after death to repent, but this is not supported by scripture. Christ alone is the way of salvation because John 14:6 clearly states that Christ is the only way to reconciliation with God. Luke 16 and Matthew 25 tell the story of Lazarus and the rich man, clearly showing that reconciliation must come before death.

What Can We Learn from Solus Christus Today?

Solus Christus is as applicable now as it was during the Protestant Reformation because it is still true today. While it is only two words, the phrase contains the cornerstone of Christianity and has enough applications to fill books. For our purposes today, let’s look at just a few of the things we can learn from Solus Christus:

• Salvation is in Christ’s work on the cross (Acts 4:12) and not of any human effort. Yet, we are called to good works in response to His gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:10 says we were created for good works in Christ Jesus.
• Christ is our mediator and high priest. Hebrews 7:15-28 tells us that Christ is a high priest who doesn’t need to offer sacrifices for himself because he is sinless and can intercede with the Father for us. We do not need rituals or other mediators to gain access to God for salvation. However, we should intercede in prayer for the people around us.
• Our focus should be on Christ, not anything or anyone else. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that our hope in Christ is an anchor for our souls no matter our trials or storms. If we keep our eyes on him, we can remain steadfast in faith despite our circumstances.
• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We can do nothing without Christ, but with Him, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).

Salvation comes through Christ alone, but God chooses to use the church to be His hands and feet on earth. He calls us to join Him where He is at work and use the spiritual gifts He has given us to minister to others and serve His purpose wherever we are. Being reconciled to God is not a destination; it is just the beginning of an eternal relationship. Every day, we are given opportunities to bring the good news of salvation to the world—through Christ alone.

As Martin Luther noted during the Protestant Reformation, Solus Christus is the foundational cornerstone of Christianity. The truth of God has no expiration date, and the doctrines still hold today. The five solas give us an overview of the basic tenets of Christianity. Further study in each can help us grow spiritually as we seek to follow Christ Alone.

Photo Credit:©GettyImages/mbolina

Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com. 

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