Bruce's Email Signature

OK, since you were curious enough to click on it, here's what it means:

Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura

Latin for:

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone - the "Three Solas".

Lutherans believe that sinners are justified (declared righteous) with God, our Creator, by

• grace alone (sola gratia) - it's a completely free gift from God, we can't earn it,
• through faith alone (sola fide) - it was all done by Jesus, his life, death and resurrection, He gives us faith by the Holy Spirit
• on the basis of Scripture alone (sola scriptura) - the Bible is the sole source of what we believe, and is all we need.

These three great "Reformation solas" form a handy outline of what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess.

FYI Johann Sebastian Bach added another of the five Reformation "solas" to all his sacred music: "sdg" for Soli Deo Gloria - "to glory of God alone".

I just thought that was such a good idea that I'd copy him!