[metmom]

Just wondering - it seemed like a rapid fire attack against my faith because I consider works important. svcw has a narrow definition of Christianity based on Luther's justification by faith alone and Luther's lens of 3-4 passages on the Bible. The phrase work* appears in the New Testament 222 times. Paul was talking about works of the LAW - the 630+ rituals that had become meaningless spiritually in Christ's time on earth.

Luther only used three to four Bible passages? Do tell. Would you like to provide some documentation for you claims?

If the works of the Law, handed down by God Himself at Mt. Sinai, can't save anyone, then what makes anyone think that any other works will save anyone?

Nobody says works aren't important. It's that works don't save.

[DaveMSmith]

Wikipedia: Sola Fide"From 1510 to 1520, Luther lectured on the Psalms, the books of Hebrews, Romans, and Galatians. As he studied these portions of the Bible, he came to view the use of terms such as penance and righteousness by the Roman Catholic Church in new ways. (See Romans 4:1-5, Galatians 3:1-7, and Genesis 15:6.) "

The Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God. Just saying you "believe" you are saved does squat. It's how you WALK (do) your life in Christ - salvation is at the end. Self Examination and repentance leads to eternal life - Christ's words.

Luther died miserable and quite insane (Varieties of Religious Experience - Wm James)

[svcw]

Nobody says works aren't important. It's that works don't save.

Bingo!