Faith Alone that is Not Alone?

[CopticChristian]

As was I. Mine was in a Reformed Baptist SBC church and they said much the same thing. Unfortunately, they do make it sound logical and so it has a very common sense appeal. That is, it appeals to our own ego, because we are naturally curved inward and so what happens “inside” is always seen as more important than what happens (as Luther would say) extra nos.

For your listening pleasure, whenever you may get the time, here is a debate between a Reformed theologian and a Lutheran pastor on baptismal regeneration ruberad.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/hns-regen/. It was quite good…and very eye opening into the Reformed mindset on the sacraments.

Ig,

I cannot wrap my head around this…I never read a book to learn to swim, learn Karate, learn Judo, play guitar…although introduced to chords and notes, play hopscotch, teatherball, dodge ball, checkers, bridge…etc…and if someone were to debate over these practices I would laugh.

Babies have been baptized and continue to be baptized and the meaning is shared as I understand it with the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic East/West…Protestants are divided on this issue. I find these debates as to whether it should be done or what does it mean akin to the aforementioned practices that we all take for granted…How would it be possible for me to listen to a debate that is only 500 years old? How is it possible for something like this to change my mind?

I would ask this question…when and why was the issue of Infant Baptism questioned, ie in what year. I would ask when and why was the issue of Baptismal regeneration questioned, ie in what year.

I would then compare and contrast that with the practices done and still being done and look at the evidence of confrimation or confusion. I could not side with confusion.

 

[IggyAntiochus]

I would ask this question…when and why was the issue of Infant Baptism questioned, ie in what year. I would ask when and why was the issue of Baptismal regeneration questioned, ie in what year.

I would then compare and contrast that with the practices done and still being done and look at the evidence of confrimation or confusion. I could not side with confusion.

The debate posted above is not over infant baptism. It’s over baptismal regeneration. I believe in both infant baptism and baptismal regeneration.

 

[JonNC]

Ig,

I would ask this question…when and why was the issue of Infant Baptism questioned, ie in what year. I would ask when and why was the issue of Baptismal regeneration questioned, ie in what year.

I think the Anabaptists, or at least their forerunners, predate Luther. Like, the 15th century.

Jon

 

[CopticChristian]

I think the Anabaptists, or at least their forerunners, predate Luther. Like, the 15th century.

Jon

Jon,

Then for me I would wonder how is it that after 1500 years someone questions something that has been practiced and on what authority is it questioned and for what purpose?

 

[JonNC]

Jon,

Then for me I would wonder how is it that after 1500 years someone questions something that has been practiced and on what authority is it questioned and for what purpose?

Perhaps, Coptic, there is one here at CAF that you can ask. I suspect, however, that they won’t view authority in the same way you do.

Jon

 

[highrigger1]

Various Protestant theologians have put forth this formula:

 ***"We are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone."***

I do not understand. It seems to be a contradiction in terms.
I’m honestly trying to understand what this means. Can anyone help?

chris,

The pope explains it quite well.

“For this reason Luther’s phrase: “faith alone” is true, if it is
not opposed to faith in charity, in love. Faith is looking at
Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ,
conformed to Christ, to his life. And the form, the life of
Christ, is love; hence to believe is to conform to Christ and
to enter into his love. So it is that in the Letter to the
Galatians in which he primarily developed his teaching on
justification St Paul speaks of faith that works through
love (cf. Gal 5: 14).” (Pope Benedict XVI,11/19/08 General
Audience)

Peace, JohnR

 

[CopticChristian]

Perhaps, Coptic, there is one here at CAF that you can ask. I suspect, however, that they won’t view authority in the same way you do.

Jon

Radical is a Menonite.