WHY PROTESTANT TRUTH STILL MATTERS
A biblical perspective
By Garry Williams
The Protestant Truth Society. 42 pages. £3.95
Available from: The PTS 020 74054960
In this helpful little book Garry Williams sets out to examine the theological foundations for the five ‘Solas’; Scripture alone, Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone and for God’s glory alone.
He sets them in their historical context as being more than reactive to the errors of the Roman Catholic Church but more importantly as the Reformers rediscovering the teaching of the Bible. In the first half of the book, he takes each ‘Sola’ and succinctly shows how they originate in the Bible. While some technical language is used, he writes a brilliant summary of these vital truths of Scripture that both informs the mind and warms the heart.
Why they matter
He goes on to show why the five ‘Solas’ mattered so much in their 16th-century context. In particular how they challenged Rome’s false doctrines of: revelation (regarding the teaching of the Pope and the church as infallible, on a par with Scripture); justification (the contribution of works to justification); and worship (the adoration of the bread and wine in mass). He then reflects on changes in contemporary Roman Catholicism and helps us to understand why it has become more open, embracing and ecumenical, places a higher value on the role of the laity and encourages Bible study. However he shows that Vatican II simply restates old errors in new ways, so that contemporary Catholicism maintains its false teaching on revelation, justification and worship, at the same time as taking the adoration of Mary further.
Much needed
He encourages us to reach out with the gospel to individuals in the Catholic Church with gentle encouragement, but rightly warns against partnership with a church that openly teaches error, and whose new openness reflects an evangelistic desire to bring all under its wing.
This short book is insightful, informative and provides much needed biblical clarity on the key issues that must be the basis for gospel partnership between churches. Protestant truth does still matter.
