What must you do to be right with God? The Reformers broke with the Roman Catholic Church when they insisted people are justified by faith alone. But today many Protestants fail to grasp that keystone of faith. In Faith Alone, a Gold Medallion finalist, Dr. R.C. Sproul explains why Protestantism and Roman Catholicism split over justification in the first place and why that division remains an uncrossed chasm. Protestants must understand the biblical, Reformation view of the doctrine of justification to grasp the power of the gospel and proclaim it far and wide today. This redesigned edition of a classic offers a new generation of Christians a clear explanation of the vital doctrine of salvation.

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is at the center of Reformation theology, and remains critical for all believers today. This doctrine is continually under assault, yet without it, there is no gospel. In this lecture series, Dr. Sproul explores the doctrine of justification historically and theologically. He carefully defines each term in the phrase "justification by faith alone" while pointing to the imputation of a perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ.

Faith alone is the foundational answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" The doctrine of justification by faith alone is at the center of Reformation theology, and remains critical for all believers today. This doctrine is continually under assault, yet without it, there is no gospel. In this lecture series, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the doctrine of justification historically and theologically. He carefully defines each term in the phrase "justification by faith alone" while pointing to the imputation of a perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ.

Every generation of Christians since the time of Jesus has had to face attacks upon Scripture from an unbelieving and hostile world. And in every generation, men and women have stood for the absolute inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture as essential to the health and welfare of the church.From his work with the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy to his many lectures and writings, Dr. R.C. Sproul has been a leader in the defense of the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture during our time. This book collects four previously published articles by Dr. Sproul on this subject, The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and his commentary on it, and The Ligonier Statement on biblical authority, which helped lay the groundwork for the work of the International Council.

In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines what justification is according to the Bible. He then compares the Roman Catholic and evangelical stances on this core Christian doctrine, and discusses the relationship between faith and works. Dr. Sproul writes, "The crucial issue of infusion versus imputation remains irreconcilable. We are either justified by a righteousness that is in us or by a righteousness that is apart from us."

Sola Scriptura, the formal principle of the Protestant Reformation, is essential to genuine Christianity, for it declares that the Bible is the inspired word of God, the church‘s only rule of faith and practice. Yet this doctrine is under assault today as never before. In this book, several leading Reformed pastors and scholars, including Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Ray Lanning, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, Derek Thomas, and James White, unpack the meaning of the doctrine of sola Scriptura or “Scripture alone“. They also explain where the attacks on the Bible are coming from and we should respond. Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible is a treasure trove of information and a comfort to those who grieve to see the twenty-first-century church wandering away from the safe harbor of the Bible. Endorsements “That the Bible as we have it today is the inspired Word of God, and that it is authoritative and sufficient for all faith and practice, is the foundation on which all other Christian doctrines stand. This truth must be continually affirmed and defended. Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible does this in a way that will prove profitable to both laypeople and professional clergy. I highly recommend it.” —Dr. Jerry Bridges “Christians are Bible people. We are made followers of Christ by the message of the Bible and continue to be guided in the ways of Christ by what the Bible says. The Bible is the Spirit’s sword, and we must learn to wield it with confidence in order to live effectively in this world. This book will help you do that. The contributors are trustworthy teachers who understand the importance of the recovery of sola Scriptura, not only for the sixteenth century, but for the twenty first. I am grateful to Reformation Trust for making it available once again.” —Dr. Thomas K. Ascol

In this series of messages from Ligonier's 2003 conference series in Washington D.C., Dr. R.C. Sproul and Rev. Kenneth Jones explore the biblical doctrine of sola fide, or "Faith Alone." Reminding us that this is the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls, they explain that we are counted righteous solely on account of our faith, and they answer common Roman Catholic objections to this understanding of justification.

In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines justification—the way in which we are declared righteous by God—as he explains the biblical teaching regarding justification. Demonstrating that Christ’s righteousness is reckoned to us by faith alone, Dr. Sproul joins with Martin Luther in calling the church to proclaim boldly that this doctrine is integral to the gospel of God.

In opposition to churchmen who argued that man is made righteous by faith and works, the Protestant Reformers fearlessly preached that by faith alone God’s people are justified. With devotion to Scripture above all else, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others helped believers cast aside their perversions of the gospel and once again recognize the Lord alone as the One who saves. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines the biblical doctrine of redemption as summarized in the five solas of the Reformation, propositions that remind us God alone deserves the glory for our salvation.

In opposition to churchmen who argued that man is made righteous by faith and works, the Protestant Reformers fearlessly preached that by faith alone God's people are justified. With devotion to Scripture above all else, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others helped believers cast aside their perversions of the gospel and once again recognize the Lord alone as the One who saves. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines the biblical doctrine of redemption as summarized in the five solas of the Reformation, propositions that remind us God alone deserves the glory for our salvation.

In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines justification — the way in which we are declared righteous by God — as he explains the biblical teaching regarding justification. Demonstrating that Christ’s righteousness is reckoned to us by faith alone, Dr. Sproul joins with Martin Luther in calling the church to proclaim boldly that this doctrine is integral to the gospel of God.

“Like so many things about being a Christian, the secret is having a clear understanding of who Jesus is, what He is like, and what ministry He exercises, and becoming more like Him on a daily basis in all of our relationships.” So writes Sinclair Ferguson in this collection of articles focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ. With a theologian’s mind and a pastor’s heart, Dr. Ferguson helps believers gain a better understanding of their Savior and Lord, then shows them how to live out the Christian faith from day to day. The fifty short chapters of In Christ Alone are packed full of nuggets of scriptural truth that will spark and fan the flames of the Christian’s love for the Savior who is so beautiful in His person and so faithful in His work in behalf of His beloved sheep. Endorsements “The title In Christ Alone is enough to make hearts brave and souls stand at attention. And Sinclair Ferguson, the consummate teacher, takes great pains to explain the supreme sufficiency of Jesus Christ and why He is ‘enough.’” —Joni Eareckson Tada “In Christ Alone is a basic systematic theology in the form of a very readable book. Whether you are a new Christian looking for basic Christian doctrine or a more mature one wanting a refresher, this book will both instruct you and delight you. I warmly commend it to all Christians who want to grow in their faith.” —Jerry Bridges

Are you truly amazed by God‘s grace? Or have you grown accustomed to it? Yes, we sing of God‘s “Amazing Grace,“ but do you truly understand what you as a Christian have experienced in receiving the grace of God? Or do you take divine grace for granted? In By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me, Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson laments that “we have lost the joy and energy that is experienced when grace seems truly ‘amazing.‘“ In an effort to restore the wonder of divine grace, he reflects on it from seven angles, each built around a stanza from a rich but little-known hymn, “O How the Grace of God Amazes Me,“ written by Emmanuel T. Sibomana, a pastor in the African nation of Burundi. This book poses probing questions for today‘s believer: “If I am not amazed by God‘s grace, can I really be living in it? Can I really be tasting, and savoring, and delighting in it?“ But those willing to delve into God‘s Word with Dr. Ferguson will come away with a deeper astonishment at the depths of God‘s grace. Endorsements “This is a beautiful book—a providential confluence of two pastors’ hearts (separated by time and culture) on the theme of grace. First, there is the pulsing heart of an obscure African pastor, Emmanuel T. Sibomana, who, many years ago, penned the magnificent seven-stanza hymn ‘O How the Grace of God Amazes Me.’ Then there is the grateful and responsive heart of well-known pastor-theologian Sinclair Ferguson, who has taken the seven dazzling facets of the African hymn and held them up to the manifold light of God’s Word so that they further grace and enlighten our souls. By Grace Alone is a book that will fire your heart.” —Dr. R. Kent Hughes “Rich in biblical exposition and in theological depth, By Grace Alone is a series of great messages by one of today’s greatest preachers on some of the greatest Scripture texts—all on one of the greatest themes of the Bible: amazing grace! This book will excite your mind, stir your affection, convict your soul, win your heart, and move you to action. It will evangelize, disciple, and mature all kinds of readers. Dr. Ferguson has given us another feast, and there is food here for all—saved and unsaved, ministers and laypeople, young and old.” —Dr. Joel R. Beeke We invite you to enjoy a free MP3 download of the Saint Andrew's Chamber Choir singing the hymn that inspired this book, as arranged by Dr. Terry Yount. The sheet music and lyrics are also available: MP3 Download (Right click on the link to save to your computer.) Sheet Music Download

Historians and theologians alike have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations (or “solas”) that distinguished the movement from other expressions of the Christian faith.Five hundred years later, we live in a different time with fresh challenges to our faith. Yet these rallying cries of the Reformation continue to speak to us, addressing a wide range of contemporary issues. The Five Solas series will help you understand the historical and biblical context of the five solas and how to live out the relevance of Reformation theology today.In Christ Alone, Stephen Wellum considers Christ’s singular uniqueness and significance biblically, historically, and today, in our pluralistic and postmodern age. He examines the historical roots of the doctrine, especially in the Reformation era, and then shows how the uniqueness of Christ has come under specific attack today. Then, he walks us through the storyline of Scripture, from Christ’s unique identity and work as prophet, priest, and king, to the application of his work to believers and our covenantal union with him to show that apart from Christ there is no salvation. Wellum shows that we must recover a robust biblical and theological doctrine of Christ’s person and work in the face of today’s challenges and explains why a fresh appraisal of the Reformation understanding of Christ alone is needed today.

Historians and theologians alike have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations (or “solas”) that distinguished the movement from other expressions of the Christian faith.Five hundred years later, we live in a different time with fresh challenges to our faith. Yet these rallying cries of the Reformation continue to speak to us, addressing a wide range of contemporary issues. The Five Solas series will help you understand the historical and biblical context of the five solas and how to live out the relevance of Reformation theology today.In God’s Word Alone—The Authority of Scripture, scholar and pastor Matthew Barrett looks at the historical and biblical roots of the doctrine that Scripture alone is the final and decisive authority for God’s people. He examines the development of this theme in the Reformation and traces the crisis that followed resulting in a shift away from the authority of Scripture. Barrett shows that we need to recover a robust doctrine of Scripture’s authority in the face of today’s challenges and why a solid doctrinal foundation built on God’s Word is the best hope for the future of the church.

Historians and theologians have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations, often referred to as the ‘solas’: sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia, sola fide, and soli Deo gloria. These five statements summarize much of what the Reformation was about, and they distinguish Protestantism from other expressions of the Christian faith. Protestants place ultimate and final authority in the Scriptures, acknowledge the work of Christ alone as sufficient for redemption, recognize that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and seek to do all things for God’s glory.In Faith Alone—The Doctrine of Justification renowned biblical scholar Thomas Schreiner looks at the historical and biblical roots of the doctrine of justification. He summarizes the history of the doctrine, looking at the early church and the writings of several of the Reformers. Then, he turns his attention to the Scriptures and walks readers through an examination of the key texts in the Old and New Testament. He discusses whether justification is transformative or forensic and introduces readers to some of the contemporary challenges to the Reformation teaching of sola fide, with particular attention to the new perspective on Paul.Five hundred years after the Reformation, the doctrine of justification by faith alone still needs to be understood and proclaimed. In Faith Alone you will learn how the rallying cry of “sola fide” is rooted in the Scriptures and how to apply this sola in a fresh way in light of many contemporary challenges.

Historians and theologians have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations, often referred to as the “solas”: sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia, sola fide, and soli Deo gloria. These five statements summarize much of what the Reformation was about, and they distinguish Protestantism from other expressions of the Christian faith. Protestants place ultimate and final authority in the Scriptures, acknowledge the work of Christ alone as sufficient for redemption, recognize that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and seek to do all things for God’s glory.In God’s Glory Alone—The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life, renowned scholar David VanDrunen looks at the historical and biblical roots of the idea that all glory belongs to God alone. He examines the development of this theme in the Reformation, in subsequent Reformed theology and confessions, and in contemporary theologians who continue to be inspired by the conviction that all glory belongs to God. Then he turns to the biblical story of God's glory, beginning with the pillar of cloud and fire revealed to Israel, continuing through the incarnation, death, and exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and culminating in Christ's Second Coming and the glorification of his people. In light of these wonderful biblical themes he concludes by addressing several of today's great cultural challenges and temptations—such as distraction and narcissism—and reflecting on how commitment to God's glory alone fortifies us to live godly lives in this present evil age.

Keith Mathison clearly investigates the development of this doctrine from the days of the early church to the fourth-century assault on it, from its recovery during the Reformation to the relativism and individualism that permeates it in today's teaching. In addition, Mathison demonstrates that the widespread misunderstanding of the doctrine of sola Scriptura is eroding the church from within, fueling conversions from Protestantism to other religions, and undermining the relationship among Scripture, church tradition, and individual believers as set forth by the early church and restated by the Reformers. "The issue of sola Scriptura is not an abstract problem relevant only to the sixteenth century Reformation, but one that poses increasingly more serious consequences for contemporary Christianity. This work by Keith Mathison is the finest and most comprehensive treatment of the matter I have ever seen. I highly recommend it to all who embrace the authority of sacred Scripture."—R.C. Sproul“This exposition of the Protestant doctrine is more than a mere history lesson on the battles of the Reformation, more even than an exploration of a sound doctrine of Scripture. It includes as well a sound, historical and biblical exposition of how we must value the wisdom of our fathers, the insight of the church, while submitting ultimately to God’s inerrant Word.”—R.C. Sproul Jr.

In opposition to churchmen who argued that man is made righteous by faith and works, the Protestant Reformers fearlessly preached that by faith alone God's people are justified. With devotion to Scripture above all else, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others helped believers cast aside their perversions of the gospel and once again recognize the Lord alone as the One who saves. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines the biblical doctrine of redemption as summarized in the five solas of the Reformation, propositions that remind us God alone deserves the glory for our salvation.

Faith alone is the foundational answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" The doctrine of justification by faith alone is at the center of Reformation theology, and remains critical for all believers today. This doctrine is continually under assault, yet without it, there is no gospel. In this lecture series, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the doctrine of justification historically and theologically. He carefully defines each term in the phrase "justification by faith alone" while pointing to the imputation of a perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ.

unbelievers, but an intramural debate between believers.

One of the classic works on this question was written by a man by the name of James Buchanan. It was simply titled Justification, which addressed the chief issue of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. One of the great values of Buchanan’s contribution is that he traced the doctrine of justification by faith alone through the patristic period and all the way through church history, showing that it was never totally extinguished within the Roman system that had radically departed from the biblical doctrine. So, that information is available.

This is a critical matter. I wrote a book recently titled Are We Together? We’re not. Rome has never changed her view of the condemnation of the gospel of justification by faith alone that occurred at the sixth session of the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century. That condemnation was repeated as recently as the Catholic Catechism in the 1990s.

In the Tridentine view of the sixteenth century, not only were there canons against the Protestant view, but the beginning part of the session carefully articulated the Roman understanding of justification, or what we would call the Roman understanding of the gospel. If you compare Trent’s understanding of the gospel with the Reformation understanding of the gospel, you have to see that they cannot both be right. One of them has to be a false gospel, and only one of them can be the true gospel. That’s what the issue was then, and that issue continues even now.

taught had the imprimatur from the Father (John 7:16). He also said that He was the very incarnation of truth (John 14:6).

If I walked into my classroom in philosophy or theology and said to my students, “I want you to know that I’m not going to teach you anything in this class except what God has revealed to me, and I want you to know that I am the truth,” and then I give them an incorrect view of sacred Scripture, then I have sinned. So, what’s at stake here in terms of Jesus’ testimony to the Scriptures is not His omniscience, but His sinlessness. Jesus must be correct in all the things that He claims to be true, or He sins. As the Scriptures themselves tell us, “Let not many become teachers because with teaching comes the greater judgment” (James 3:1).

You can see how we’ve moved from a basic premise of general reliability to a knowledge of Jesus’ historical view that the Scripture is more than generally reliable. So, the reason why the church believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God is because we’re acquiescing to the teaching of our Lord.

This question is not critical only today, but it was in the eye of the storm we call the Protestant Reformation that swept through and divided the Christian church in the sixteenth century. Martin Luther declared his position: Justification is by faith alone, our works add nothing to our justification whatsoever, and we have no merit to offer God that in any way enhances our justification. This created the worst schism in the history of Christendom.

In refusing to accept Luther's view, the Roman Catholic Church excommunicated him, then responded to the outbreak of the Protestant movement with a major church council, the Council of Trent, which was part of the so-called Counter-Reformation and took place in the middle of the sixteenth century. The sixth session of Trent, at which the canons and decrees on justification and faith were spelled out, specifically appealed to James 2:24 to rebuke the Protestants who said that they were justified by faith alone: "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." How could James say it any more clearly? It would seem that that text would blow Luther out of the water forever.

Of course, Martin Luther was very much aware that this verse was in the book of James. Luther was reading Romans, where Paul makes it very clear that it's not through the works of the law that any man is justified and that we are justified by faith and only through faith. What do we have here? Some scholars say we have an irreconcilable conflict between Paul and James, that James was written after Paul, and James tried to correct Paul. Others say that Paul wrote Romans after James and he was trying to correct James.

I'm convinced that we don't really have a conflict here. What James is saying is this: If a person says he has faith, but he gives no outward evidence of that faith through righteous works, his faith will not justify him. Martin Luther, John Calvin, or John Knox would absolutely agree with James. We are not saved by a profession of faith or by a claim to faith. That faith has to be genuine before the merit of Christ will be imputed to anybody. You can't just say you have faith. True faith will absolutely and necessarily yield the fruits of obedience and the works of righteousness. Luther was saying that those works don't add to that person's justification at the judgment seat of God. But they do justify his claim to faith before the eyes of man. James is saying, not that a man is justified before God by his works, but that his claim to faith is shown to be genuine as he demonstrates the evidence of that claim of faith through his works.