Sola scriptura is Latin for "Scripture alone." It is the first of five solas (cries) of the Reformation: sola scriptura, sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). These were fundamental to the foundation of the Reformation. However, the most formal of all was sola scriptura; everything centered on biblical authority. In other words, the Bible, Scripture, is the final authority — not the Church, and specifically not the Roman Catholic Church.

Therefore, as Christians, we must ensure that we do not exceed what is written in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 4:6 tells us this. The Bible also tells us that all Scripture is inspired by God — God-breathed. Man is not to live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). The Word is central. This is no different for us today than it was at the Reformation. The authority of Scripture is still the issue. All these pragmatic emphases in evangelicalism today—finding new, innovative ways to serve Christ and build the Church—make a foundational mistake. They try to be helpful to God instead of deriving their ministry, aim, and its application from the Word of God.

It is vital for us to understand that when we say "Scripture alone," we are assuming not just inspiration, but also infallibility. In other words, Scripture cannot err. The Bible is absolutely pristine, not only in its original autographs, but even as we read it today in our translations. The Word of God in our lives is sufficient for all things — for faith and practice, individually and corporately in our churches. We are to lean on the Word of God no matter what. I also want us to understand that we are called to preach the Word. Therefore, sola scriptura affects our emphasis on the Word from the pulpit.