F
FrankF
Guest
Hi,
I’m a new member, but have been reading the boards for quite some time. I’ve only recently (for the past 8 months or so) been exploring the faith. I am a baptized protestant and have been going to church by myself and occasionally with friends since my family is not at all religious.
Recently, the topic of sola fide has come up in the sermons, and passages from Romans are often cited. I’m sure you are all aware of the verses that are commonly used.
In my reading, however, I tend to view much of Romans as an exposition on initial justification… that is conversion. To me, it seems to suggest that God alone, through our faith in him, is capable of declaring and actually making us righteous. By grace that is only available as a gift from God, we have free will to choose how to respond. If we respond in faith in His son Jesus, we are made righteous and able to stand before God.
James, however, seems to be speaking of a “living faith” that evolves beyond our initial justification. This faith involves trusting in God’s revealed word and walking in faith with his decrees.
Also, in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, it seems that when each of the servants are given a specific number of talents in accord with their abilities, they are being granted graces in accord with their faith. By putting what they’ve been given to practice, they “earn” additional graces, but the servant with the “dead faith” does not put his faith to practice, and is not found favorable before his master.
To me, it would seem accurate to conclude that our initial graces are a gift from God that no one can merit. These initial graces allow us to be declared righteous before the Lord, but it can’t end there. We are entrusted to put our faith to work, and can actually “earn” additional graces, but only because we have been given grace from the start.
I was just wondering whether this is how Catholics commonly view the synthesis Romans and James and the parable of the talents. If not, how can it be better explained? I’ve recently tried to explain this to a friend of mine, but I don’t think I’m being clear enough.
Thanks.
I’m a new member, but have been reading the boards for quite some time. I’ve only recently (for the past 8 months or so) been exploring the faith. I am a baptized protestant and have been going to church by myself and occasionally with friends since my family is not at all religious.
Recently, the topic of sola fide has come up in the sermons, and passages from Romans are often cited. I’m sure you are all aware of the verses that are commonly used.
In my reading, however, I tend to view much of Romans as an exposition on initial justification… that is conversion. To me, it seems to suggest that God alone, through our faith in him, is capable of declaring and actually making us righteous. By grace that is only available as a gift from God, we have free will to choose how to respond. If we respond in faith in His son Jesus, we are made righteous and able to stand before God.
James, however, seems to be speaking of a “living faith” that evolves beyond our initial justification. This faith involves trusting in God’s revealed word and walking in faith with his decrees.
Also, in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, it seems that when each of the servants are given a specific number of talents in accord with their abilities, they are being granted graces in accord with their faith. By putting what they’ve been given to practice, they “earn” additional graces, but the servant with the “dead faith” does not put his faith to practice, and is not found favorable before his master.
To me, it would seem accurate to conclude that our initial graces are a gift from God that no one can merit. These initial graces allow us to be declared righteous before the Lord, but it can’t end there. We are entrusted to put our faith to work, and can actually “earn” additional graces, but only because we have been given grace from the start.
I was just wondering whether this is how Catholics commonly view the synthesis Romans and James and the parable of the talents. If not, how can it be better explained? I’ve recently tried to explain this to a friend of mine, but I don’t think I’m being clear enough.
Thanks.