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Faith is not alone, Scripture is not alone, Grace is not alone. We ought not separate what God...
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 01-15-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 01/16/2015 8:03:35 AM PST by Salvation

Faith is not alone, Scripture is not alone, Grace is not alone. We ought not separate what God has joined.

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

http://blog.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lutheran.jpg

There are a lot of “solos” sung by our Protestant brethren: Sola Fide (saved by faith alone), Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone is the rule of faith), and sola gratia (grace alone). (See the Protestant logo to the right.) Generally, one ought to be suspicious and careful of claims that things work “alone.” It is our usual experience that many things work together in harmony, that things are interrelated. Very seldom is anyone or anything “alone.”

The problem of the “solos” emerges (it seems to me) in our minds, where it is possible to separate things out. But the fact is, just because we can separate something out in our mind does not mean that we can separate it out in reality.

Consider, for a moment, a candle flame. In my mind, I can separate the heat of the flame from its light. But in reality, I could never take a knife and put the heat over on one side and the light on the other. In reality, the heat and light are inseparable, so together as to be one.

I would like to argue respectfully that it is the same with things like faith and works, grace and transformation, Scripture and the Church. We can separate all these things out in our mind, but in reality they are one. Attempts to separate them from what they belong to, lead to grave distortions and to the thing in question no longer being what it is claimed to be. Rather, it becomes an abstraction that exists only on a blackboard or in the mind of a (geeky) theologian.

Let’s look at the three main “solos” of Protestant theology. I am aware that there are non-Catholic readers of this blog, so please understand that my objections are made with respect. I am also aware that in a short blog I may oversimplify, and thus I welcome additions, clarifications, etc. in the comments.

Solo 1: Faith alone (sola fide). For 400 years, Catholics and Protestants have debated the question of faith and works. In this matter, we must each avoid a caricature of the other’s positions. Catholics do not and never have taught that we were saved by works. For heaven’s sake we baptize infants! We fought off the Pelagians. But neither do Protestants mean by “faith” a purely intellectual acceptance of the existence of God, as many Catholics think they do.

But what concerns us here is the detachment of faith from works that the phrase “Faith alone” implies. So let me ask, what is faith without works? Can you point to it? Is it visible? Introduce me to someone who has real faith but no works. I don’t think one can be found. About the only example I can think of is a baptized infant! But, oops, that’s a Catholic thing, since most Baptists and Evangelicals who sing the solos reject infant baptism.

Hence it seems that faith alone is something of an abstraction. Faith is something that we can separate from works only in our minds, but not in reality. If faith is a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, it seems we cannot remain unchanged by entering into that relationship with him. This change affects our behavior, our works. Even in the case of infants, it is possible to argue that they are changed and do have “works,” it’s just that we cannot easily observe them.

Scripture affirms that faith is never alone, that such a concept is an abstractionFaith without works is dead (James 2:26). Faith without works is not really faith at all since faith does not exist by itself, but is always present with and causes works through love. Galatians 5:6 says, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. Hence faith works not alone, but through love. Further, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:2, if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

Hence faith alone is the null set. True faith is never alone; it bears the fruit of love and the works of holiness. Faith ignites love and works through it. Beware of the solo  “faith alone” and ask where faith, all by itself, can be found.

Solo 2: Grace alone (sola gratia). As for grace alone, this too is a puzzle, since grace by its very nature changes us. Again, show me grace apart from works. Grace without works is an abstraction. Grace cannot be found apart from its effects. In our mind it may exist as an idea, but in reality grace is never alone.

Grace builds on nature and transforms it. It engages the person who responds to its urges and gifts. If grace is real, it will have its effects and cannot be found alone or apart from works. It cannot be found apart from a real flesh-and-blood human who is manifesting its effects.

Solo 3: Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) - Finally, beware those who say, “sola Scriptura”! This is the claim that Scripture alone is the measure of faith and the sole authority for the Christian, that there is no need for a Church and no authority in the Church, that there is only authority in the Scripture. There are several problems with this.

First, Scripture as we know it (with the full New Testament) was not fully assembled and agreed upon until the 4th century. And it was Catholic bishops, in union with the Pope, who made the decision as to which books belonged in the Bible. The early Christians could not possibly have lived by sola scriptura since the Scriptures were not even fully written in the earliest years. And though collected and largely completed in written form by 100 AD, the set of books and letters that actually made up the New Testament was only agreed upon by the 4th Century.

Second, until recently most people could not read. Given this, it seems kind of strange that God would make, as the sole rule of faith, a book that people had to read on their own. Even today, large numbers of people in the world cannot read well. Hence Scripture was not a read text per se, but rather one that most people heard and experienced in and with the Church through her preaching, liturgy, art, architecture, stained glass, passion plays, and so forth.

Third, and most important, if all you have is a book, then that book needs to be interpreted accurately. Without a valid and recognized interpreter, the book can serve to divide more than to unite. Is this not the experience of Protestantism, which now has tens of thousands of denominations all claiming to read the same Bible but interpreting it in rather different manners?

The problem is, if no one is Pope then everyone is Pope!  Protestant “soloists” claim that anyone, alone with a Bible and the Holy Spirit, can authentically interpret Scripture. Well then, why does the Holy Spirit tell some people that baptism is necessary for salvation and others that it is not necessary? Why does the Holy Spirit tell some that the Eucharist really is Christ’s body and blood and others that it is only a symbol? Why does the Holy Spirit say to some Protestants “Once saved, always saved” and to others, “No”?

So it seems clear that Scripture is not meant to be alone. Scripture itself says this in 2 Peter 3:16: our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, Our Brother Paul speaking of these things [the Last things] as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Hence Scripture itself warns that it is quite possible to misinterpret Scripture.

Well then, where is the truth to be found? The Scriptures once again answer this: you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15).

Hence, Scriptures are not to be read alone. They are a document of the Lord through the Church and must be read in the context of the Church and with the Church’s authoritative interpretation and Tradition. As this passage says, The CHURCH is the pillar and foundation of truth. The Bible is a Church book and is not meant to be read apart from the Church that received the authority to publish it from God Himself.  Scripture is the most authoritative and precious document of the Church, but it emanates from the Church’s Tradition and must be understood in the light of it. Further, faith is not alone but works through love. And grace is not alone but builds on nature.

Thus the problems of “singing solo” seem to boil down to the fact that if we separate what God has joined, we end up with an abstraction, something that exists only in the mind (but in reality cannot be found alone).

Here is a brief video in which Fr. Robert Barron ponders the Protestant point of view that every baptized Christian has the right to authoritatively interpret the Word of God.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; faith; faithalone; grace; msgrcharlespope; protestant; saved; savedbyfaithalone; solafide; solascriptura
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Video
1 posted on 01/16/2015 8:03:35 AM PST by Salvation
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...
Faith is not alone, Scripture is not alone, Grace is not alone. We ought not separate what God has joined.

Catholic Ping!

2 posted on 01/16/2015 8:05:19 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

There are a lot of comments at the site.

http://blog.adw.org/2015/01/faith-is-not-alone-scripture-is-not-alone-grace-is-not-alone-we-ought-not-separate-what-god-has-joined/


3 posted on 01/16/2015 8:06:26 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
I like John Calvin's quote:
'We are saved by Faith alone, but Faith that saves is never alone'
4 posted on 01/16/2015 8:10:42 AM PST by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: Salvation
"The problem of the “solos” emerges (it seems to me)"

The last three words represent the fatal problem with this Romanist.

5 posted on 01/16/2015 8:13:08 AM PST by Dutchboy88
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To: Salvation

“This is the claim that Scripture alone is the measure of faith and the sole authority for the Christian, that there is no need for a Church and no authority in the Church, that there is only authority in the Scripture.”

How is Scripture the “measure” of faith? No need for a church? Perhaps he’s taking on some form of Protestantism that doesn’t derive from Luther, Calvin, or Knox (or Wesley). Heck, knocking down straw men is easy. Why doesn’t he just accuse Protestants of praying to statues?


6 posted on 01/16/2015 8:20:53 AM PST by cdcdawg
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To: El Cid
...Faith that saves is never alone

I think that dove-tails nicely with James' comments on faith & works.

7 posted on 01/16/2015 8:22:04 AM PST by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
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To: Dutchboy88
"The problem of the “solos” emerges (it seems to me)"

The last three words represent the fatal problem with this Romanist.

IMO he creates a straw man when he refers to the "Solas" as "solos". But ignorant Catholics will eat this up like cake.

8 posted on 01/16/2015 8:24:16 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: jonno
There are three kinds of faith:
  1. Dead faith--that affects only the intellect. One knows (in his head the truth, but it goes no further.
  2. Demonic faith--it affects not only the intellect, but also the emotions--even the demons believe--and tremble.
  3. Saving Faith--affects the intellect, the emotions, and prompts the believer to act. Disciples try to imitate their master--and do everything he does. Not only in this world, but with Jesus as well.

9 posted on 01/16/2015 8:28:51 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Salvation

“So it seems clear that Scripture is not meant to be alone. Scripture itself says this in 2 Peter 3:16: our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, Our Brother Paul speaking of these things [the Last things] as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Hence Scripture itself warns that it is quite possible to misinterpret Scripture.”

This is particularly egregious. For starters, he tells us in this same piece that there was no such thing as Scripture until the 4th Century. How could Paul be talking about Scripture when it didn’t exist for another 300 years? Also, Paul wrote his letters largely to give sound doctrine to the early Church. Why did he have to write them? Was he just noodling some suggestions? Maybe some teachings were flying off course without the much-dreaded Scripture.


10 posted on 01/16/2015 8:29:46 AM PST by cdcdawg
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To: Alex Murphy
"IMO he creates a straw man when he refers to the "Solas" as "solos". But ignorant Catholics will eat this up like cake."

And, who would expect a papist to understand Latin? But, you are right, the Tiber Team will line up for more of this folk religion.

11 posted on 01/16/2015 8:30:16 AM PST by Dutchboy88
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To: Salvation
Well then, where is the truth to be found? The Scriptures once again answer this: you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15).

Again! Can Catholics never read things in context? If we read both verse 14 and 15 "I am writing you these instructions so that ... you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household".

How in the world can you promote a verse as proof that truth in found in the church when the verse states that the written letter is instruction for conduct in the church?

I agree the truth is found in the true church, but how do you get from "follow what I write" to "follow what the church says"? They are opposed unless the church follows the written word. And this is the meaning of sola scriptura. The scripture is the rule. The church is to follow the rule. The church is not the rule. The church is not the true church unless it follows the rule.

12 posted on 01/16/2015 8:36:19 AM PST by Tao Yin
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To: Dutchboy88

Are you talking about the words, “The Word of God?”


13 posted on 01/16/2015 8:39:16 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

This should prove interesting. Thanks!


14 posted on 01/16/2015 8:40:16 AM PST by defconw (If not now, WHEN?)
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To: Alex Murphy

When you say “he” are you referring to God or too Monsignor Pope?


15 posted on 01/16/2015 8:40:38 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

1. Faith alone - Paul said we are saved by faith, not works, lest any man should boast. Paul also warned about evil conduct.

2. Grace alone - an attribute of God

3. Scripture alone - If someone can’t read, they need to be guided by someone who has confidence in scripture. Also, scripture is not to be used for personal interpretation. The church acts as a shepherd, not as an institution that dispenses salvation, as this priest believes. Also, the early Christians relied on the Old Testament.


16 posted on 01/16/2015 8:44:40 AM PST by odawg
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To: Salvation

So beautifully expressed, magnanimous, and with brotherly kindness


17 posted on 01/16/2015 8:48:30 AM PST by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: Tao Yin

James 2: 17-26 ...A stern warning from Saint James
17
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18
Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
19
You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.
20
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?
21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.
23
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.”
24
See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25
And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?
26
For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.


18 posted on 01/16/2015 8:48:51 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: af_vet_1981; Dutchboy88; cdcdawg
So beautifully expressed, magnanimous, and with brotherly kindness

Spittake

19 posted on 01/16/2015 8:51:00 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Tao Yin

You belive in Scripture, correct?

 

Then why don't you believe this?

 

John 21: (We'll be using the KJV today to keep things on even footing): "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

 

The Bible Itself declares that it doesn't contain everything.


20 posted on 01/16/2015 8:51:29 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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