Less than half of Protestants believe in 'sola scriptura' and 'sola fide,' Pew survey reveals

A survey conducted by Pew Research Center has found that less than half of Protestants believe in "sola fide," the teaching that justification is dependent on faith alone, and "sola scriptura," which holds that the Bible is the ultimate authority for Christian belief and practice.

The findings of the study revealed that 52 percent of U.S. Protestants believe that salvation comes from a mix of faith and good works, while 46 percent believe that it comes through "faith alone."

Among American Protestants, only 30 percent affirmed belief in both "sola fide" and "sola scriptura." Belief in both doctrines was higher among white evangelicals (44 percent) compared to white mainline Protestants (20 percent) and black Protestants (19 percent). The figure jumped higher at 59 percent among white evangelicals who say they attend church services regularly.

"Sola scriptura" and "sola fide" are part of the five "solas" that form the backbone of Protestant Reformers beliefs.

The Pew survey defined "sola fide" as "faith in God alone is needed to get into heaven," and said the "sola scriptura" means the "Bible provides all religious guidance Christians need."

In contrast to Protestants, the belief of American Catholics appears to be more in accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Eighty-one percent of American Catholics said they believe that both good deeds and faith are required to get into heaven, while 75 percent believe that Christians should look to the Bible as well as church teaching and tradition for guidance.

Forty-five percent of all Americans erroneously believe both Protestantism and Catholicism teach that the teaching that salvation comes through faith alone. Only 23 percent knew that only Protestants traditionally teach that doctrine.

The study also found that the belief in "sola fide" is a minority view even among Protestants in every country in western Europe, except in Norway, where 51 percent say that salvation comes through faith alone.

About nine in 10 Protestants and Catholics in western Europe said they are willing to accept members of the other tradition as neighbors, and large majorities of both groups are also willing to accept members of the other group into their families.

In Germany, 98 percent of Protestants say they would accept Catholics as members of their family, while 97 percent of Catholics say the same about Protestants.

The survey in the U.S. was conducted online between May 30 to Aug. 9 among 5,198 respondents, while the one in Europe was conducted through the phone from April 11 to Aug. 2, among 24,599 people across 15 countries. The findings were released on Thursday, just weeks before late October's anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.