How do the definitions of ‘scripture alone’ and ‘faith alone’ differ from a Protestant perspective? At face value it seems pretty cut and dried. Don’t most Protestants believe that all you need is the Bible and your faith to make it to heaven? Please correct me if I’m wrong.
“How do the definitions of ‘scripture alone’ and ‘faith alone’ differ from a Protestant perspective?”
... I think your question is good. When Catholics hear sola scriptura, they think it means something entirely different than what is meant. At least based on what is bandied about here.
Rather than rewriting something from scratch, here is a link. If you are serious, this will give you an understanding of what Sola Scriptura means.
http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.kiefersolascriptura.html
“Don’t most Protestants believe that all you need is the Bible and your faith to make it to heaven? Please correct me if I’m wrong.”
... No, actually. Again, it is a good question.
The Bible contains everything needed for salvation. Salvation comes by entrusting yourself (faith) to His sacrifice on the cross. Faith - entrusting ourselves to Him entirely - is the hands that receive His gift.
There is absolutely nothing we can add or must add to His complete gift for the penalty of our sin and sins. Works are a visible manifestation of true faith. They follow salvation as His life is lived out through ours. They do not come before salvation and contribute nothing to His sacrifice.
Well; iff'n ya get one of them there big red letter bibles that's really good fer thumpin'; you'll find:
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Y'all might even wanna look these here verses up in context; to see what I devilishly left out of the conversation...