In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle pivot to one of the defining features of Protestant tradition: the Reformation Solas—and why they still matter for Christians today.

Rather than beginning with a list of “five solas,” Greg frames the Reformation around three theological questions that generated the solas:
What is the Church? (ecclesiology)
How am I saved / how do I stand before God? (soteriology)
Who or what has ultimate authority to define belief and practice? (authority)

From there, Greg explains the contrast between 16th-century Roman Catholic and 16th-century Protestant answers—especially the difference between church-as-organization (a hierarchical structure) and church-as-organism (the priesthood of all believers). That “priesthood” isn’t only about rights; it also includes responsibility—the idea that ministry is not a spectator sport, and that clergy exist chiefly to equip the saints through the Office of the Word.

The conversation then traces how the solas flow from these questions:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone as final authority)
Sola Fide (justification by faith alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
and how these reshape Protestant ideas of salvation, grace, and the church’s mediating role.

James also presses into a key modern confusion: “Bible alone” does not mean “my interpretation alone.” Both hosts argue that the Reformation assumed a teaching office, catechesis, and doctrinal boundaries—something many modern churches have lost. They connect this to contemporary debates about faith as mere intellectual assent versus faith as a way of lifemarked by trust, repentance, and fidelity.

This episode includes discussion of:
The three Reformation questions behind the solas
Church as organism vs. church as organization
Priesthood of all believers: rights and responsibilities
The “Office of the Word” and why it still matters
Catholic sacramental mediation vs. Protestant justification by faith
Why authority (Sola Scriptura) is the “non-negotiable” dividing line
Faith as lived trust and repentance—beyond a one-time decision
Why modern American Protestant individualism isn’t the same as Reformation Protestantism

Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led “Tours for Ten” that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at quotelostravelservice.com, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ 

In this episode of our&nbsp;German Reformation&nbsp;series,&nbsp;Dr. James Spencer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dr. Greg Quiggle&nbsp;pivot to one of the defining features of Protestant tradition: the&nbsp;Reformation Solas&mdash;and why they still matter for Christians today.
Rather than beginning with a list of &ldquo;five solas,&rdquo; Greg frames the Reformation around&nbsp;three theological questions&nbsp;that generated the solas:
<ol>
<li>What is the Church?&nbsp;(ecclesiology)</li>
<li>How am I saved / how do I stand before God?&nbsp;(soteriology)</li>
<li>Who or what has ultimate authority to define belief and practice?&nbsp;(authority)</li>
</ol>
From there, Greg explains the contrast between&nbsp;16th-century Roman Catholic&nbsp;and&nbsp;16th-century Protestant&nbsp;answers&mdash;especially the difference between&nbsp;church-as-organization&nbsp;(a hierarchical structure) and&nbsp;church-as-organism&nbsp;(the priesthood of all believers). That &ldquo;priesthood&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t only about rights; it also includes&nbsp;responsibility&mdash;the idea that ministry is not a spectator sport, and that clergy exist chiefly to&nbsp;equip the saints&nbsp;through the&nbsp;Office of the Word.
The conversation then traces how the solas flow from these questions:
<ul>
<li>Sola Scriptura&nbsp;(Scripture alone as final authority)</li>
<li>Sola Fide&nbsp;(justification by faith alone)</li>
<li>Solus Christus&nbsp;(Christ alone)</li>
<li>and how these reshape Protestant ideas of salvation, grace, and the church&rsquo;s mediating role.</li>
</ul>
James also presses into a key modern confusion: &ldquo;Bible alone&rdquo; does&nbsp;not&nbsp;mean &ldquo;my interpretation alone.&rdquo; Both hosts argue that the Reformation assumed a&nbsp;teaching office, catechesis, and doctrinal boundaries&mdash;something many modern churches have lost. They connect this to contemporary debates about faith as mere intellectual assent versus faith as a&nbsp;way of lifemarked by trust, repentance, and fidelity.
This episode includes discussion of:
<ul>
<li>The three Reformation questions behind the solas</li>
<li>Church as organism vs. church as organization</li>
<li>Priesthood of all believers: rights&nbsp;and&nbsp;responsibilities</li>
<li>The &ldquo;Office of the Word&rdquo; and why it still matters</li>
<li>Catholic sacramental mediation vs. Protestant justification by faith</li>
<li>Why authority (Sola Scriptura) is the &ldquo;non-negotiable&rdquo; dividing line</li>
<li>Faith as lived trust and repentance&mdash;beyond a one-time decision</li>
<li>Why modern American Protestant individualism isn&rsquo;t the same as Reformation Protestantism</li>
</ul>
Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led &ldquo;Tours for Ten&rdquo; that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://quotelostravelservice.com/">quotelostravelservice.com</a>, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.
Subscribe&nbsp;to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗&nbsp;Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:<a href="https://www.usefultogod.com/">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;to&nbsp;Thinking Christian&nbsp;so you never miss an insightful conversation!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management.&nbsp;&ldquo;Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk.&nbsp;Call us at&nbsp;1-800-793-8548&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org/</a>&nbsp;

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Find more from James at https://usefultogod.com/.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/</a>.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/.</a>

Protestantism Isn’t Individualism: The Solas, Catechesis, and Authority (Greg Quiggle)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/c25f542b-7cc7-46d6-90b5-b3e801621fb3/transcript