THE FIVE SOLAS – Standing Together, Alone by John Samson
LETTERS TO JOHN:
Dr. R.C. Sproul, President of Ligonier Ministries recently wrote the following words: “You have succinctly distilled the essence of the ‘solas.’ May God mightily use your book for His glory. Thank you for the encouragement in the Gospel you have brought me.”
Pastor Tim Howard, Eastford Baptist Church, Eastford, Connecticut wrote: “Honestly, I cannot tell you how much I loved your book! As a pastor who is desperately trying to lead my people into a greater understanding of Scripture and how they relate to these glorious truths of the Reformation, this book is such a valuable tool. In New England pews, there is a strong sentiment even among Biblical evangelical churches towards Rome. Many fail to see the damaging effects of their theology, mostly out of ignorance of what separated Rome from true Biblical Christianity during the Reformation, summed up in the five solas. Therefore having a tool like this book that is clear, concise and most importantly, soaked with Scripture’s truth helps tremendously in teaching my people in a way that is not intimidating. I have found that laymen who are not accustomed to reading large, thick, old and difficult works will simply never read them, no matter how highly and passionately you encourage them. Your book however, provides something that a layman will not only be more inclined to read, but also understand. I can tell you purposely left out many of the Reformed “buzz words” that can turn off a layman who may not be as familiar with the terminology. As a pastor, my priority is shepherding and growing my people, but finding materials that are usable in the context of a reforming church is a very tough thing. This is why I am so thankful for your book and I am looking forward to seeing how God will utilize it in the lives of my people! I plan on buying a case of them to give away at my church and would highly recommend that any pastor who is seeking to lead their congregation into a greater understanding of these glorious truths do the same!”
ENDORSEMENTS:
“Get this book! Then get several more to share with your friends and family. John Samson has the remarkable ability to communicate essential truths with an undeniable passion and faithfulness that is winsome, clear, and devastating to the opposition. The people of God in this generation are in need of these old truths: the same truths that transformed the early church and led our heroes (throughout history) into living lives that changed the world. Go sell 100 of your vapid, modern Evangellyfish books and turn that money into getting this book into the hearts and minds of Christians everywhere.” – Jeff Durbin, Pastor, Apologia Church, Tempe, Arizona
“Some authors make you read three chapters before getting to the first point in their outline. If you wish to understand the foundation of the solas of the Reformation but would like to do so in under an hour, John Samson provides you with the basics right here.” – Dr. James White, Alpha & Omega Ministries, Phoenix, Arizona
“Recent years have seen a number of key anniversaries connected with events and people who were vital catalysts in the Protestant Reformation. Thankfully this has resulted in a renewed focus on the ‘five solas’–a convenient shorthand list of the Reformers’ key convictions. Throughout church history, wherever these principles have been stressed and adhered to, the church has always flourished. So it is a highly encouraging trend. I’m thankful for this excellent book by John Samson; a cogent, focused, and accessible study of the solas that not only reminds us what these principles mean, but also shows us why they are important–and why they must stand together.” – Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You
“This is such a crucial topic; and having read many pieces written on the five solas, this one stands out for not only being theologically sound, but also clear and concise. It is written in a way that just about anyone could pick up and understand. I am thankful that God has raised up his servant John Samson for this deeply needed work; a work we ought to get into the hands of as many people as possible.” – John Hendryx, monergism.com
“Part celebration and part exposition, Pastor John Samson has provided a brief and readable introduction to the grand framing truths of the Reformation. In this timely little work, Samson particularly emphasizes how the five “Onlies” magnify God’s complete and gracious work of salvation in Jesus Christ — of which we learn in Scripture alone, which we find in Christ alone and enjoy by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone! As a bonus, Samson not only concisely shows the radiance of each, but also the interrelationship of the whole. Pastors will find this a very useful introductory work for use in ministry.” – Dan Phillips, Pastor, Copperfield Bible Church, Houston, Texas
“As a lover of the theology of the Reformation, I appreciate this introduction into its key themes. As a pastor who thinks practically, I appreciate the accessibility and brevity of this tool for getting this theology into the hands of the average person in the pew. I hope this resource is used to introduce many to the rich theological heritage of the Reformers and that it leads to them digging deeper into that heritage.” – Steve Weaver, Pastor, Farmdale Baptist Church, Frankfort, Kentucky
At Solid Ground Christian Books, the publisher writes:
John Samson begins this vitally important work with the following few paragraphs. These are provided to whet your appetite for more –
“Light dispels darkness. When the light of God’s Word shines into places of spiritual and cultural darkness, it transforms people, families and nations. It does not matter how long the darkness has persisted; when light appears, darkness, like a hostile, renegade, usurper to the throne, must submit, bow its head, and walk away in shame. Again, light dispels darkness. The entrance of God’s word brings light!
Darkness is the shared experience of a people without light. Such was the case before the Protestant Reformation. The Bible was not known. In its place, religious superstition, tradition and falsehood reigned. The Reformation brought God’s word and the Gospel back into the hands of the masses.
Man-made traditions that had kept the people in bondage for centuries were now exposed for what they really were. Entire nations, held captive by the powers of darkness, were now exposed to the truth. Dramatic change occurred. Outside the book of Acts in the New Testament, there has not been a greater move of the Holy Spirit in the history of the church. Our world would never be the same. A Latin phrase, ‘Post tenebras lux’ captured the enfolding, historical drama, meaning, ‘After darkness, light!’
As the Bible came to be read in the common language of the people, the great central truths the Bible proclaimed were recovered, often at great cost to those who came to embrace them.
The Reformation recovered and highlighted glorious Scriptural truths which have been expressed in five memorable phrases, now known as the Five Solas. Properly understood, these Five Solas bring us back to the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Available for purchase at this link.