Thoughts on "faith alone" - I welcome your responses

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Many of our separated brethren find them objectionable. This goes back to the rift that was caused by the “selling” of indulgences prior to the Reformation.
Why is the word selling in quotes? Are you denying this took place?
It is now being realised that the so called sale of indulgences was the protestantized history published by England and gobbled by America that became world opinion and belief, thanks to the then vast British empire

Please note: I have NO denominational bias. I married an Orthodox christian in a protestant church.
 
=gtrenewed;7188249]Well said. It seems to me that some christians see Jesus’ work as sufficient and other christians see Jesus’ work plus other works to be sufficient.
If this is the case we will never communicate effectively.
I’m not sure your explanation of Catholic belief is exactly true in the bolded.
Some christians can see the bible as directly applicable to them and some see the bible split between clergy and laity.
Not sure here what you mean by “directly applicable”. If you mean individual interpretation, I oppose it, as a result of my tradition’s view of it.
How does your tradition view baptism including infant baptism regarding saving/justifying faith? How about the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit with confirming signs; ie acts 19:5-6?
For Baptism, the Augsburg Confession says:
*Article IX: Of Baptism.

1] Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary 2] to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.

3] They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children, and say that children are saved without Baptism.*

We specifically use the laying on of hands in Confirmation.

Jon
 
Code:
 It is a good thing this forum has you to tell each of us what the other is saying;)
While I understood what he said, I disagree. Gratitude and humility ARE NOT works but a state of being in a relationship.
Happy to be of service. 😃

Ok, I am glad you understand about ergos hagios. But both things are true. Gratitude and humility are actions/works,a s well as fruit of the spirit, and qualities that belong to relationships. We are not commanded to do things that we are not made able to do. If we are commanded to be grateful and humble, it means that we need to do these things by an act of the will.
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Faith is required prior to humility being present. Again, humility is a state of being and grace brings us to faith. As we desire the kingdom of heaven and respond to grace, fruit of the Spirit become evident.
Yes, but that “desiring” is part of our “work”. It is, as Jesus said, the “work of God” by which we are saved. We must give the assent of our intellect and our will.
 
It is now being realised that the so called sale of indulgences was the protestantized history published by England and gobbled by America that became world opinion and belief, thanks to the then vast British empire

Please note: I have NO denominational bias. I married an Orthodox christian in a protestant church.
Pitcharan, I was beginning to understand you and thought you and your conclusions were rational, even if some premises seemed flawed to me. That was until I read this post:confused:

Can you cite any sources?
 
It is now being realised that the so called sale of indulgences was the protestantized history published by England and gobbled by America that became world opinion and belief, thanks to the then vast British empire
How does this square with Luther’s 95 Theses?

Jon
 
Hi, Returning to Rome…

I suggest you go to the Coming Home Network led by Marcus Grodi…in the site, under Library, you can find Journals from former Protestants who converted, especially protestant ministers, writing about why Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura gave then trouble. You will find a variety of writings and conversion stories.
There are also catholic clergy who have left catholicism. What I take away from both sides is that they are not converting away from Jesus but away from a theological discipline.

The point of faith alone is not the abscence of works in their lives but that we are justified by faith alone. We are justified by believing that Jesus completed the works necessary to stand before God.

We all believe that a true christian will have good works in their lives but that those works do not make them a christian; otherwise we have to know how many works must I do in order to be justified. How good is good enough? The gospel is much more clear - hear the word of God - believe - rightstanding with God.
 
I’m not sure your explanation of Catholic belief is exactly true in the bolded.
It was true for me growing up a catholic in the 50’s/60’s.
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JonNC:
Not sure here what you mean by “directly applicable”. If you mean individual interpretation, I oppose it, as a result of my tradition’s view of it.
For instance, I was once told that Paul writing to Timothy concerning the sufficiency of scripture to lead to salvation only applies to bishops since Timothy was a bishop.

If you oppose this, how does your tradition even exist outside of the RCC since Luthers interpretation of scripture differs from the RCC? Do you disagree that Peter and his successors have the primacy as the RCC says is in scripture?
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JonNC:
We specifically use the laying on of hands in Confirmation.
Jon
You deftly ignored the confirming signs of tongues in my scripture example. What are you confirming them to?
 
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Quite profound but not the gospel of hope.
Have you considered that what you have received as “the gospel of hope” might be deficient? It was truncated long before you were born, and has been metamorphing ever since.
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Our love can never accurately express God for it is tainted by the flesh. Jesus accurately expressed God's love and that is why outcasts found hope in Him.
This statement is the product of heretical ideas. I know they are not yours, and that you only inherited them, so you could not know that they represent a significant departure from the Apostolic faith.

There is nothing inherintly evil in human flesh. God created humanity in the flesh “in His own image and likeness”. He called it “good”. That enfleshed soul (human) into which God breathed “the breath of life” is the most perfect instrument through which we can praise Him. He created us for Himself, and it is through this humanity that He wishes to glorify His Name. It is when our flesh is in total submission to God that we most perfectly reflect His glory, just as the mood reflects the brightness of the sun.

If there were something wrong with human flesh, then Jesus would not have been able to take His into heaven. 😉 By this we know that human flesh can be perfected and glorify God. Our humanity has been wounded by sin, but this sinful state is not God’s intention for us. He sent His son to set us free from our sins, all of them. The notion that we have to sin, or be in a state of sin because whe are in the flesh is false.
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Our justification comes by grace through faith and that not of ourselves so no one may boast.
I am glad that you have retainted this Catholic teaching. 👍
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    To those who have failed at life and love, it is comforting to know that they do not have to be perfect but that by being in Jesus who is perfect they can stand before God.
Well, it is also comforting for the redeemed to know that we can be perfect, and that we can stand before God in purity because of His grace.
 
Code:
Why is the word selling in quotes?
Because it is theologically impossible to “sell” an indulgence. An indulgence is an application of the grace of God, which is free. It cannot be bought, sold, or “earned”.
Are you denying this took place?
I do not deny that abuses took place in Europe at the time of the Reformation, and that there were greedy wolves among the sheep that twisted the Truth,a nd took advantage of the flock.
 
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Our wills are under our control but not faith. Faith is a free gift.
Technically speaking, all that we are is a free gift. My arms and my legs are created by God. Faith is, in the same way as our other faculties, part of our humanity.
Scripture says that when faith came - that is when Jesus came.
Not sure what you mean by this. Faith is the human faculty through which mankind connects to the grace of God, obtaining salvation.
God put in us the knowledge of Him but not faith. To say idolatry is faith is incorrect. Faith is only directed towards God. We can have belief or trust in something else but it is not faith.
It may not be faith in your dictionary, my friend, but it is certainly faith. People put their faith in all kinds of idolatrous things. Why do you think Jesus was alwasy chiding them? “Where is your faith?” They can choose not to put it where it belongs.
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Faith is like a muscle?:D Jesus said of several non-Jews that their faith was great or so great a faith was not found in Israel! They put action to what they saw and heard of Jesus, one could say they exercised their faith but this is not the same as muscle exercise.
Indeed they exercised their faith. They knew what they believed, and they acted according to that belief. Their faith was rewarded by His grace.
There is the measure of faith given to us and we grow in maturity which better enables us to use our faith. Remember what can remove a mountain?
Each one has the measure he needs to do what he is called to do. I will also concede that there is a supernaturally gifted faith that enables believers do believe over and above the average person.
 
Have you considered that what you have received as “the gospel of hope” might be deficient? It was truncated long before you were born, and has been metamorphing ever since.
Jesus deficient, I think not! Scripture deficient, I think not! Holy Spirit deficient, I think not! My question to you is why are you Ruthenian? Is there something deficient in the RCC? If not then why not total unity by being a RC?
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guanophore:
This statement is the product of heretical ideas. I know they are not yours, and that you only inherited them, so you could not know that they represent a significant departure from the Apostolic faith.
There is nothing inherintly evil in human flesh. God created humanity in the flesh “in His own image and likeness”. He called it “good”. That enfleshed soul (human) into which God breathed “the breath of life” is the most perfect instrument through which we can praise Him. He created us for Himself, and it is through this humanity that He wishes to glorify His Name. It is when our flesh is in total submission to God that we most perfectly reflect His glory, just as the mood reflects the brightness of the sun.
  1. Flesh had to be covered, became evil, after the fall. You wasted alot of time quoting the creation because it does not apply; just like Lucifer was created perfect but iniquity was found in him and ultimately became evil, renamed Satan.
  2. Gal 5:19-21 deeds of the flesh listed are all evil. Scripture says we must be born again meaning the flesh cannot please God. Paul also bemoaned his flesh asking who can save me from this body of sin. Scripture says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven but we will be changed.
  3. Because of this our flesh can never be in total submission to God. That is why we must be in Jesus who is perfect.
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guanophore:
If there were something wrong with human flesh, then Jesus would not have been able to take His into heaven. 😉 By this we know that human flesh can be perfected and glorify God. Our humanity has been wounded by sin, but this sinful state is not God’s intention for us. He sent His son to set us free from our sins, all of them. The notion that we have to sin, or be in a state of sin because whe are in the flesh is false.
Scripture says we were more than wounded, we were mortally wounded. Scripture says that Jesus had to condemn sin in the flesh and become a curse for us. It also says that Jesus was given a new body, one that went through a wall to talk with the disciples, and that we will too after He returns and we are resurrected just as He was resurrected and ours will be like His. So human flesh cannot be perfected because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.

We sin because of spiritual immaturity, the spirit is weaker than the flesh with its desires. As we mature, we love more, we sin less.
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guanophore:
Well, it is also comforting for the redeemed to know that we can be perfect, and that we can stand before God in purity because of His grace.
And His grace is called Jesus:thumbsup:
 
Because it is theologically impossible to “sell” an indulgence. An indulgence is an application of the grace of God, which is free. It cannot be bought, sold, or “earned”.
More the pity:( they were not taught properly, nor those that were did not stand up to, as you have put it, ‘a greedy wolf’, and his henchmen, oh, wait, that’s right, one did!
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guanophore:
I do not deny that abuses took place in Europe at the time of the Reformation, and that there were greedy wolves among the sheep that twisted the Truth,a nd took advantage of the flock.
Sounds like you are distancing yourself from the RCC?
 
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There are also catholic clergy who have left catholicism.  What I take away from both sides is that they are not converting away from Jesus but away from a theological discipline.
I can see your point, and I agree that some leave the catholic faith to avoid spiritual disciplines. They dont’ want to follow what the Church tells them will help to purify them.

However, There is only One Church founded by Christ, and therefore, leaving it is to some extent leaving Him. Most of our separated brethren have kept a large percentage of the Catholic faith, but some of it has been lost.
Code:
The point of faith alone is not the abscence of works in their lives but that we are justified by faith alone.  We are justified by believing that Jesus completed the works necessary to stand before God.
Yes, I think this is why it is not appropriate to say that “faith alone” Christians always go for “easy believism”. I think most believe that we are to bear the fruit of the vine in our lives.
We all believe that a true christian will have good works in their lives but that those works do not make them a christian; otherwise we have to know how many works must I do in order to be justified. How good is good enough? The gospel is much more clear - hear the word of God - believe - rightstanding with God.
This is part of the difference here. The Apostles taught that those good works do make us more “christain”. That when we walk in the works that God prepared for us, his grace transforms us from the inside, making us day by day more in line with His character.

This idea that the good works are separated from the saving grace that produces them is foreign.

The good works are the gospel. It is for this purpose that we have been saved. It is inappropriate to separate the gospel of salvation from the good works that we are saved to complete.
 
=gtrenewed;7193771]It was true for me growing up a catholic in the 50’s/60’s.
Ok, I’ll let the Catholics here respond to it then.
For instance, I was once told that Paul writing to Timothy concerning the sufficiency of scripture to lead to salvation only applies to bishops since Timothy was a bishop.
No, I wouldn’t agree with that interpretation, but I also disagree with individual interpretation, which is where I though you were going. I do believe that scripture is sufficient, though I believe hermeneutics is the role of the Church.
If you oppose this, how does your tradition even exist outside of the RCC since Luthers interpretation of scripture differs from the RCC? Do you disagree that Peter and his successors have the primacy as the RCC says is in scripture?
Yes, I disagree with the Catholic Church’s interpretation of the primacy of Peter. I accept the teaching regarding the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome found in the Council of Nicea, canon 6.
You deftly ignored the confirming signs of tongues in my scripture example. What are you confirming them to?
I missed your point, then. Sorry. Are you asking if I believe in speaking in tongues? Yes, so long as there is someone who can hear and understand the tongues spoken.
I’m still not sure I understand your point, however.

Jon
 
This idea that the good works are separated from the saving grace that produces them is foreign.

The good works are the gospel. It is for this purpose that we have been saved. It is inappropriate to separate the gospel of salvation from the good works that we are saved to complete.
Scripture is what separates them. The epistles are written to the saved to largely correct errors in behavior and to encourage good works amongst the brethren. Why would they need to be corrected? Because they initially were taught freedom in the spirit by justification by faith alone. With this new freedom and being immature these new christians needed guidance and reminder that there is salvation and there is the salvation walk unto the end.

That is why Paul uses Abraham for faith apart from works and why James uses Abraham for faith identified by works.

It is not only appropriate it is imperitive that faith and works be separated. This makes it clear that we are using only our wills to submit to the grace and subsequent faith in Jesus’ works. We are now empowered to do good works but the good works did not get us to that point otherwise we could boast.
 
It was true for me growing up a catholic in the 50’s/60’s.
Sadly there is a whole generation of poorly formed Catholics. It is a travesty. Are you willing to accept that what you were taught did not faithfully represent Catholic belief?
For instance, I was once told that Paul writing to Timothy concerning the sufficiency of scripture to lead to salvation only applies to bishops since Timothy was a bishop.
Well, he was a bishop…but the Church teaches that Scripture leads us to Christ, who is our salvation. Scripture does not teach that it is all we need.
You deftly ignored the confirming signs of tongues in my scripture example. What are you confirming them to?
In the Eastern Church, chrismation (confirmation) is given at the time of baptism. It is a sealing of the believer in the HS.
 
No, I wouldn’t agree with that interpretation, but I also disagree with individual interpretation, which is where I though you were going. I do believe that scripture is sufficient, though I believe hermeneutics is the role of the Church.
OK please define ‘the church’
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JonNC:
Yes, I disagree with the Catholic Church’s interpretation of the primacy of Peter. I accept the teaching regarding the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome found in the Council of Nicea, canon 6.
I will look this up but could you briefly state what that is?
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JonNC:
I missed your point, then. Sorry. Are you asking if I believe in speaking in tongues? Yes, so long as there is someone who can hear and understand the tongues spoken.
I’m still not sure I understand your point, however.

Jon
Sometimes on this forum if I state my whole point some of it is missed and never addressed. So I have learned to take it step by step, sorry for the confusion.

My point is that it seems to me that what the first church did as found in Scripture is not the same as today, most notably baptism, confirmation, and the Lord’s supper including foot washing. I do not find a hint of a love feast anywhere. I may be romanticizing the first church but I think there should be more.

Not all Lutheren churches believe in tongues and I even personally know of one that dismiss pastor’s that do. To which Lutheren church do you belong?
 
=gtrenewed;7194188]OK please define ‘the church’
The confessions call it the congregation of believers. That said, Lutherans rely on the Lutheran Confessions in particular, also the early councils, for doctrine.
I will look this up but could you briefly state what that is?
“Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis prevail: that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, sine the like is customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the Churches retain their privileges. And this is to be universally understood: that if any one be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the Great Synod has declared that such a man ought not to be a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops shall from natural love of contradiction, oppose the common suffrage of the rest, it being reasonable and in accordance with the ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority prevail.”

The Lutheran confessions recognize the Bishop of Rome’s “suburban” jurisdiction.
Sometimes on this forum if I state my whole point some of it is missed and never addressed. So I have learned to take it step by step, sorry for the confusion.

My point is that it seems to me that what the first church did as found in Scripture is not the same as today, most notably baptism, confirmation, and the Lord’s supper including foot washing. I do not find a hint of a love feast anywhere. I may be romanticizing the first church but I think there should be more.
The confessions tell us that traditions in worship and liturgy need not be the same throughout. I find the greatest kind of love I know when I receive the Eucharist. I know, however, that that doesn’t answer your concern.
Not all Lutheren churches believe in tongues and I even personally know of one that dismiss pastor’s that do. To which Lutheren church do you belong?
I am LCMS. Here is a link to what the LCMS as published about speaking in tongues. Frankly, it isn’t an issue I come accross very often as a Lutheran, though I know there is a charismatic movement in many synods of Lutheranism. I just relayed what I was taught as a child, that speaking in tongues is of no value unless someone can translate/intepret/ understand the tongues being spoken.
74.6.238.254/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=charismatic+lutheran&fr=slv8-&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=charismatic+lutheran&d=4657265103406576&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=9669aa4a,7eacd29d&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=KUg31_JE10v5Sbm10ktbag–

Jon
 
Sadly there is a whole generation of poorly formed Catholics. It is a travesty. Are you willing to accept that what you were taught did not faithfully represent Catholic belief?
Unfortuneately it did represent roman catholic teaching of the time. Not one generation but at least two - one teaching - one being taught.
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guanophore:
In the Eastern Church, chrismation (confirmation) is given at the time of baptism. It is a sealing of the believer in the HS.
Where is that taught since it is not in scripture?
 
Jesus deficient, I think not! Scripture deficient, I think not! Holy Spirit deficient, I think not!
I was not asking about any of these. I was asking about the gospel you received. You see, from an Apostolic point of view, what you have received is called “a different gospel” than the one that was handed down to us from them.
My question to you is why are you Ruthenian? Is there something deficient in the RCC? If not then why not total unity by being a RC?
When I came back to the Catholic Church after learning that my separated brethren had received a deficient gospel, I was disgusted by the liturgical abuses of the Novus Ordo. I attended Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite, and fell in love.

The Catholic Church is not “Roman” GT. The Byzantine is one of 22 Rites in the Catholic Church that are all in unity with the successor of Peter.
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1. Flesh had to be covered, became evil, after the fall. You wasted alot of time quoting the creation because it does not apply; just like Lucifer was created perfect but iniquity was found in him and ultimately became evil, renamed Satan.
This is not consistent with the Apostolic Teaching.
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2. Gal 5:19-21 deeds of the flesh listed are all evil. Scripture says we must be born again meaning the flesh cannot please God. Paul also bemoaned his flesh asking who can save me from this body of sin.
Indeed, our flesh is wounded, and has a tendency toward sin. Latin Catholcis call this “concupiscence”. Our separated brethren call it “sin nature”. But there is nothing inherintly about the flesh that displeases God. If this were the case, when He enfleshed our souls, He would not have proclaimed the creation of us “good”. Paul does talk about beating his body to subdue it, so that it will be in subjection to the Spirit. This is the way our human nature is supposed to function. This is the way God created us, the body serves the Spirit, and the Spirit serves the creator.
Scripture says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven but we will be changed.
God created us with flesh and blood, and He took His own flesh and blood into heaven (in glorified form). However, if we say that it is not truly human flesh and human blood that He took to heaven, then we are denying that He came in the flesh, and that He bodily resurrected. You see where this goes. If one villifies human flesh, one’s Christology starts to suffer.

I think if you will look at this verse carefully, you will see that it is describing “deeds of the flesh”. All sin separates us from God, that of the Spirit, that of the mind, and that of the body.
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 Of course  3. Because of this our flesh can never be in total submission to God. That is why we must be in Jesus who is perfect.
These two are not separated, GT. To be “in Christ” is to have our flesh in submission to God. We are to follow the example of Paul, and do whatever is necessary to bring our flesh and it’s desires into submission to Him.You were misinformed if you were told this could not happen. It does happen.
Scripture says we were more than wounded, we were mortally wounded. Scripture says that Jesus had to condemn sin in the flesh and become a curse for us. It also says that Jesus was given a new body, one that went through a wall to talk with the disciples, and that we will too after He returns and we are resurrected just as He was resurrected and ours will be like His. So human flesh cannot be perfected because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.
Again this formulation denies the humanity of Christ. This is part of a gnostic heresy that was defeated in the early centuries of the Church. I find it fascinating that heresies centuries old still raise their ugly heads today. As a matter of fact, this heresy grew out the same way it does today - people were reading the Holy Scriptures in separation from the teaching of the Apostles and came up with bizarre ideas.

If you say that Jesus did not rise from the dead in the same body that was on the cross, then you have departed from the Apostolic faith. God intends to transform all of our bodies in the same way his did.
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We sin because of spiritual immaturity, the spirit is weaker than the flesh with its desires. As we mature, we love more, we sin less.
It is very Catholic of you to day this! 👍

And spiritual disciplines are part of what brings aobut this maturity.
 
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