More from the Fathers on the "Lutheran" solas

Some time ago, Pr. Walt Snyder gave us a brief list of quotations from the Church Fathers on the four Lutheran solas- Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone- which Roman Catholic apologists often claim were unknown to the Fathers. Here are some more:

Neither dare one agree with catholic bishops if by chance they err in anything, (with) the result that their opinion is against the canonical Scriptures of God. (St. Augustine, De unitate ecclesiae, chp. 10).

And he well said, "a righteousness of mine own," not that which I gained by labor and toil, but that which I found from grace. If then he who was so excellent is saved by grace, much more are you. For since it was likely they would say that the righteousness which comes from toil is the greater, he shows that it is dung in comparison with the other. For otherwise I, who was so excellent in it, would not have cast it away, and run to the other. But what is that other? That which is from the faith of God, i.e. it too is given by God. This is the righteousness of God; this is altogether a gift. And the gifts of God far exceed those worthless good deeds, which are due to our own diligence. (St John Chrysostom, "Homily on Philippians 3").

They said that he who adhered to faith alone was cursed; but he, Paul, shows that he who adhered to faith alone is blessed. (St. John Chrysostom, "First Corinthians, Homily 20," PG 61.164).

For you believe the faith; why then do you add other things, as if faith were not sufficient to justify? You make yourselves captive, and you subject yourself to the law. - St. John Chrysostom, "Epistle to Titus, Homily 3," PG 62.651).

Christ is Master by virtue of His own essence and Master by virtue of His incarnate life. For He creates man from nothing, and through His own blood redeems him when dead in sin; and to those who believe in Him He has given His grace. When Scripture says, "He will reward every man according to his works" (Matt 16:27), do not imagine that works in themselves merit either hell or the kingdom. On the contrary, Christ rewards each man according to whether his works are done with faith or without faith in Himself; and He is not a dealer bound by contract, but our Creator and Redeemer. (St. Mark the Ascetic, ca. 425, "On those who think that they are made righteous by works." in the Philokalia).

And on the Lutheran approach to the Fathers:

They were human beings who could err and be deceived. (Apology to the Augsburg Confession, XXVI:95).

Other writings of ancient or contemporary writers, whatever their names may be, shall not be regarded as equal to Holy Scripture, but all of them together shall be subjected to it, and not be accepted in any other way, or with any further authority, than as witnesses of how and where the teaching of the prophets and apostles was preserved after the time of the apostles. (Formula of Concord, Epitome, Intro:2).

Since, then, this teaching (the Augsburg Confession) is clearly grounded in Holy Scripture and is, moreover, neither against nor contrary to the universal Christian Church – or even the Roman Church – so far as can be observed from the writings of the Fathers, we think our opponents cannot disagree with us in the articles set forth above. (Augsburg Confession, Part One, Conclusion:1).

For we love and venerate the testimonies of the ancient and purer church, by whose agreement we are both aided and confirmed; but our faith must rest on the word of God, not on human authority. Therefore we do not set the testimonies of the fathers over the Scripture, but subordinate them to it. (Martin Chemnitz, Examen I:150).

Looks like St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Mark the Ascetic join Luther and St. Paul under the anathema of the Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent.

For more quotes from the Fathers in support of the "Lutheran" solas see this list, compiled by William Weedon over at Issues, Etc.