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To: jo kus
I would further clarify that by noting that Scriptures have different definitions of "works". James says they ARE necessary - because he is referring to works of love, good deeds done with pure motive (of course, a gift from God). Paul talks about "works" where God now owes man a reward for obey the Law. Paul says nothing man can do makes God a debtor, thus, to Paul, this form of "work of the law" cannot save.

That sounds like a pretty good distinction between the approaches of James and Paul. That one has troubled me before. :)

Thus, I believe Protestants err by forcing ALL actions of man into Paul's definition of works, when the Scriptures clearly tell us that "faith [without works] cannot save".

Well, why wouldn't our idea of Perseverance of the Saints coupled with Eph. 2:8-9 solve for both views above? I consider the "perseverance" part as a future included event to the original grace of salvation. Therefore, the two Solas survive.

Imagine Albert Pujols, of the 2006 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, was at the plate and blasted a 400-footer into left center. :) He uncharacteristically stops to watch it before he starts running. The ball clears the fence. Has he hit a home run? I would say "YES", even though technically, in order to be an official home run, he still must "choose" to run all the bases and touch home plate. The running of the bases is a future included event of something that is REALLY already done. I think Catholics would differ and say "NO", it is not a done deal, because anything could happen to Pujols on his way around the bases, or he might just choose to run into the stands for whatever reason and forfeit his home run. I would say that my belief in being one of the elect is similar to my confidence that Albert is going to dutifully trot around those bases. How do you see it?

More often, much more, though, judgment of Christians is seen as either heaven or hell.

I really don't know about "more" or "less", but it is absolutely undeniable that "judgment" as used in the Bible as referring to either heaven or hell is all over scripture.

7,248 posted on 05/27/2006 3:39:11 AM PDT by Forest Keeper
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To: Forest Keeper
"Imagine Albert Pujols, of the 2006 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals,..."
___________________________

Ain't gonna happen. They have no competition in the NL and will be "coasting" when the playoffs start. The Chicago White Sox will repeat because they will have to be at the top of their game just to make the playoffs.
7,297 posted on 05/29/2006 9:14:48 AM PDT by wmfights (Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The WAY!)
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