Why I Hate "Faith Alone"

Ignitum Today ^ | 13 October 2013 | Matthew Olson

[matthewrobertolson]

Expounding on the importance of our actions for salvation is, I suppose, my primary “thing.” I have been in so many informal debates over the issue that I have started to lose count of them. I have written about the topic many times. And often, I become angry (like God in 1 Kings 11:9-10) at the mere thought of sola fide (“faith alone”), because I know that it is completely contrary to “what the Lord [has] commanded.” But why?

“Faith alone” was, without a doubt, the primary reason that I left Protestantism. Even though I was ill-educated in theology at the time, I knew that it was illogical.

I like to think of sola fide in terms of criminal law. Imagine that someone went before a judge and was proven guilty of heinous crimes, but then pleaded to the judge that he believed in the judge's authority to convict him and so the judge should not do so – and had that as his only defense. Should the judge convict him – to any degree – or should the judge completely let him off, and then give him a reward?

Do you find the “faith alone” argument compelling in such an instance? I do not. Of course, a “faith alone”-r would say that there is some sort of significant difference between such a scenario in terms of temporal law and such a scenario in terms of eternal law, but there really is not. Protestant arguments for the belief simply do not stand in the face of such scenarios or substantial scrutiny.

I strongly believe that sola fide is at the heart of many Western problems. Self-professed Christians have used it as an excuse to not care for the disadvantaged, to engage in profane sexual activity, etc. – the list goes on and on.

Martin Luther told his followers to “sin and sin boldly” (among other things, as I have documented) because he taught that we are saved solely by our faith in the power of Jesus Christ, apart from our actions. This method of thinking has been adopted by millions of Protestants since his time. But is it supported by the Bible? No. See Hebrews 10:26-27:

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

“Faith alone” has had a terrible impact on society. People often now shy away from discussing religion or morality with others, fearing conflict. Take, for example, something that transpired between a Lutheran family member and me. After I privately and politely informed her that she had committed a grievous sin (like we are called to do – see Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and Ephesians 4:15), she immediately jumped to the “Who are you to judge?” defense and paired it with the “Jesus paid the price” line. I am sure that, for many Catholics, such occurrences are unfortunately familiar.

God has written in our hearts (Romans 2:15) that we should serve Him and others, not our selfish desires -- and we will be punished if we defy Him. The necessity of both good works and abstinence from grave sin gives our lives concrete meaning. If someone takes away the eternal significance of our actions, they rob us of any real purpose: we all just become random, faceless, unimportant beings.

Sola fide does not work either logically or practically; it fails on all counts. Now, you know why I hate it.

(All verses are from the NASB translation.)

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[redleghunter]

Many people see Catholics using "confession" as the same type of excuse mechanism for the same types of things. In fact, confession is explicitly for such issues, while your link between them and sola fide is argumentatitve at best.

Not only confession but the concept of purgatory. With confession and purgatory, you can party it up and get to "work off" the sins in purgatory for 24 hours. A little fire and flogging never really hurt./s

[redleghunter]

God's mercy is subject to a paradox much like earthly charity: if someone who attempts to live prudently and make preparation for things that might go wrong, gets caught by misfortune beyond what he could reasonably have anticipated, the granting of assistance to such a person may benefit both the giver and recipient. On the other hand, an expectation that relief will be available in case of calamity, thus obviating any need to prepare oneself, is highly toxic. The ideal behavior for an earthly charity would often be to prioritize relief based upon the extent to which people strive to avoid needing it. Earthly charities often find it hard to measure such things, but God will not. Those who seek to avoid needing his forgiveness while recognizing that their efforts may be insufficient, will receive it; those who expect to rely upon it his forgiveness unless or until they realize such reliance as being a major sin in and of itself.

Are these your observations and musings or do you have some Scriptures to offer to point to them?

[redleghunter]

Yes. Saved by Grace through Faith. But NOT Faith alone. That belief does directly contradict Scripture.

There are no "BUTs" in God's Word. James was clearly showing us there is a horse and cart. The horse is faith and the cart is actions (works). The cart does not come before the horse and the horse can still walk without the cart; If the horse does not pull a cart, then one can question of what use it is when his master needs a lot of work to be done with the cart.

[matthewrobertolson]

Cvengr

Guilt is sinful? I don’t think so.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” - Philippians 2:12 (NASB)

[matthewrobertolson]

smvoice

So, we should ignore Romans, because Paul wrote it specifically for the Romans (Romans 1:7)? Of course not. What you wrote is illogical. All canonized Scripture (including James) is useful.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” - 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)

[PieterCasparzen]

So your church properly denied communion to those who are known, habitual, unrepentent sinners, i.e., loving, Biblical Church discipline (that “ugly” thing that Reformed churches adhere to IF they hold to Scripture). It’s never going to be “perfect” - but Scripture is quite clear to use Church discipline to keep open, habitual sinners from leading a congregation down a path of destruction.

The Methodist Church doctrine, however, as given in its Articles of Religion (I just copied this from the website):

“Article XIX—Of Both Kinds

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the parts of the Lord’s Supper, by Christ’s ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.”

The more I read on the Reformation and compared the Bible to various denominations, I kept finding more cases where the Reformation brought out a whole bunch of errors that needed correcting - not to invent anything new, but to return to truthful Biblical doctrine and abandon various man-inspired unbiblical innovations.

From the 1700’s through the 1800’s, however, various Protestant sects continued on beyond the corrections, and introduced their own innovations, a number of which were actually re-introductions of old erroneous teaching.

[smvoice]

matthew, you are misunderstanding what I'm saying here. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles(Rom. 11:13), for the Body of Christ. we are Gentiles, part of the Body of Christ. ALL his letters and epistles are for the building of the Body of Christ. ergo, his letters and epistles are to us. That is not true of Hebrews through Revelation. Nor is it true of the OT, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the beginning of Acts, until Chapter 9, when Paul is saved and receives the commission of the grace of God, by revelations of the risen Christ.

God Himself never changes (Heb. 13:8; Mal.3:6). But His PROGRAM for man has changed from time to time. It is crucial for us to know WHERE WE ARE in GOd's program as we study the Bible. And keeping the right Scriptures for the right time is essential. IF we desire to have God's word "working effectually in you that believe" (1 THess.2:13).

[Talisker]

I think we disagree on "why" America is being punished with leftist running the table. It is because of the wholesale slaughter, the holocaust of over 50 million human babies sacrificed on the 'altar' of Molech.

And yet, why are so many abortions taking place? Because Leftists have gained strong control over the minds of people, and taught them to reduce human life to mere dispensable flesh. And how have they accomplished this? Because Christians have turned on each other and balkanized Christianity, while elevating punishment and damnation far above the role Jesus Himself gave it. Not to mention refusing to exert the effort needed to prevent abuse against women. As a result, women turn away because they don't see any benefit for themselves.

Jesus said “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Christians have minimized the importance of this teaching. At most, they acknowledge loving God, and then, conditionally, loving their neighbor. But one of the most important parts of this teaching is the -positioning - Jesus gave it. And He went out of his way to do it. He said:

"This is the first and greatest commandment. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Greatest. All law. All prophets. HANG ON.

The message is clear as a bell. Jesus is saying: take everything and anything you understand about my teachings, any quotes, any laws, any prophets, any disciples, any saints - anything - and compare your understanding to these two commandments. If what you understand contradicts these two commandments, change your understanding, or throw it out. These two commandments are the touchstone. Thet are the standards. They are the foundation. they shall not be contradicted.

He knew what was going to happen, and He was showing how to avoid it. And, I believe, the good news is that He is also showing how to correct what has gone wrong.

The only thing people have to do is follow it.

[PieterCasparzen]

And yet, why are so many abortions taking place? Because Leftists have gained strong control over the minds of people, and taught them to reduce human life to mere dispensable flesh.

Because America as a nation has turned it's back on God.

And how have they accomplished this? Because Christians have turned on each other and balkanized Christianity,

It's not the division, the divisions between obedience to the Word of God and disobedience, true faith and false profession, etc., are spoken of by our Lord himself:

Luke 12
"51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

It's the turning away from God, turning away from his Law Word. Christ told us to love him means obedience to his commands:

John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Matthew 5:17-18
"17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

while elevating punishment and damnation far above the role Jesus Himself gave it.

Matthew 10:15
"Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Matthew 11:23
"And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day."

There are more verses, of course, words of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, which clearly indicate punishment and damnation is in no way diminished in the New Testament, as he himself has told us that the Old Testament moral law is not abrogated.

[kjam22]

The problem is that much of modern Christianity has emphasized the donts and ignored the dos. We emphasize don't smoke, don't drink, don't chew.... and don't go with girls that do :) We have a million things that we can't do. Yet as you noted Christ said it comes down to what we do. Love, God... and love others. You're right... I know many who fit in the social club of the donts. And that is what so many churches are today... big social clubs. Its like joining the moose lodge or the shriners. We put on the hat and and the vest and say we're one.

Its not that difficult to quit cussing and doing the "sin" things. What's tough is loving others. Even loving liberals. Even loving those who would do you wrong. What is tough is producing the good fruit. Really.... you can't do it without God.

Jesus told the parable of the tares. I really believe he told that parable with this generation in mind.

[Talisker]

You wrote: John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

But Jesus said “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Then you say: There are more verses, of course, words of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, which clearly indicate punishment and damnation is in no way diminished in the New Testament, as he himself has told us that the Old Testament moral law is not abrogated.

How can you say this, when the "words of our Lord Jesus Christ himself" literally contradict you in the above Matthew 22:37-40?! Jesus is clearly giving a "diminishment" in how we should evaluate his teachings concerning love versus damnation - that's the EXACT topic of his statement!

And it's an absolute statement - "ALL the Law hangs on this..."

And yes indeed, He meant to change the Old Testament itself by this, and he said so:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34

And, by the way, it's a warning, not just friendly advice. For Jesus also said in Luke 6:37: “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

The message is clear. The fact that you would WANT to try to parse the words to figure out how to still judge and damn others, is the problem. That desire is what has balkanized Christianity, and turned people away from the Christian faith, and brought about massive abortion and the communist takeover of the country.

I don't mind people who reject jesus openly - they're honest. But people who claim to be Christian and then reject Jesus' teachings, in the name of Jesus, no less, leave me cold. To do such a thing is spiritual suicide, and leads to hell.

[PieterCasparzen]

Should not even verse 27 be enforced by the conscience of the recipient, not by some mortal “church father”?

If one thinks from the pastor's point of view for a moment...

Would you want to have a person drink to their own damnation ? No. So you would find out where a person is from, are they under Church discipline for habitual, open, grievous sin, are they just some charlatan happening by, etc. In such cases, if the pastor permits partaking where he could have denied, the pastor then bears guilt of leading someone even further astray than they already are.

Hence, we see how Biblical rules are based in love and mercy, valuing truth over a lie, etc.; they're not in any way aimed at a corrupt class of priests ruling harshly over their congregations.

If a pastor is conducting himself in some wrong way, that is, of course, a different issue that elders need to deal with immediately by the appropriate rules of Church discipline. Church discipline rules, if they adhere to Biblical standards, make wonderful sense and work well if followed.

[Talisker]

Jesus told the parable of the tares. I really believe he told that parable with this generation in mind.

Me too, and the crops are looking pretty dang ripe.

[redleghunter]

Your last post is very insightful and I do see some light shining from it. However, I believe all Christians to include evangelicals and Catholics are lock step arm in arm on the sanctity of life and marriage. If you have not looked at an organization called the Manhattan Declaration, please take a look at that. Something Chuck Colson and a few Roman Catholics started a few years back.

But the larger problem IMHO is not the theology debates or feuds. It is the make up of those who profess to be Christian and where their hearts actually reside. Is it in Christ? If so, then the Root is Good and so will the fruit be. We will know by their fruits. If not, it abides in something else and the usual culprit is mammon. So those seeking mammon will vote for mammon and to heck with these unborn children. That is what I see happening. There is more desire for mammon, the comforts and lusts of the world and it shows in how people vote.

[PieterCasparzen]

But Jesus said “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus did not say those were the "only" two commandments, that the Old Testament moral laws, like the Ten Commandments, could be discarded.

He said the first was the "first and great commandment".

He said this in response to verse 36, when the Pharisees asked him

"36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"

And then Jesus added:

"39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Jesus went on to say:

"40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

He thus said "all" the rest "hang" on those two.

He did not say those two "replace" all the law and the prophets. The "new" means not a replacement law, but an additional law. We know this because Jesus stated in Matthew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18 and John 13:34 can not and do not contradict each other.

To "hang" on those two, this reveals that all the law is based on these two.

He did not say the law and the prophets were "diminished".

Regarding your statement:

The message is clear. The fact that you would WANT to try to parse the words to figure out how to still judge and damn others, is the problem. That desire is what has balkanized Christianity, and turned people away from the Christian faith, and brought about massive abortion and the communist takeover of the country.

You accuse me of wanting to try to parse words to figure out how to still judge and damn others; this is a personal attack, and you can not know what is in my mind and heart. I forgive you for this attack and simply ask you to refrain from personal accusations of what people's thoughts are.

Often when a Christian identifies sin, they are attacked as being "judgemental".

However we are taught in the New Testament that being under grace instead of the law does not grant us a license to sin.

Romans 6:15 "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

Thus we see in Matthew 18 a basis for Church discipline:

"15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

This is to not let our brother persist in his sins withour our approaching him in brotherly love, that he might see the error of his ways. And we welcome him back as a brother when he repents.

What would be far more cruel, of course, is to deny that our brother is sinning at all, or deny that he will pay any penalty, and never say anything to him. Thus we would allow him to continue, even though others are aware of the sins he is committing, posturing as a "Christian" in our congregation.

Of course, if the accusations are false, the tables are suddenly turned - as the Church elders we appealed to will admonish us to stop with them.

[Talisker]

So when someone points out your hypocrisy and sin, they are making a personal attack for which you forgive them.

But when you judge others, Jesus’ prohibitions do not apply to you because you are correcting your brother and saving him from harm.

And, when Jesus states a new commandment to love one another, and says it is the greatest commandment and that all the others hang from it, that does not mean that the other commandments are lesser or must be modified to fit this new commandment.

And, the fulfillment of the law does not mean to include the superiority of this new commandment, but that all of the old commandments must be fulfilled without having to conform to the control of this new commandment.

I hear you, loud and clear.

[xzins]

I just think God’s faithful to deliver what He promises.

[PieterCasparzen]

Has adultery been altered ?

Say I join your Church, you and I become fast friends.

You find out that I’ve been committing adultery for years and my wife does not know.

I continue to commit adultery, even as I am viewed by everyone in the congregation as a great fellow.

You are fully aware, I continue doing this for years as a member of your congregation.

I tell no one, everyone loves me.

You know, but I don’t know you know.

Would you say or do anything regarding my adultery ?

[BlueDragon]

I just think God’s faithful to deliver what He promises.

Heretic!

[xzins]

Can’t help it.

If you need a pinstriped blue suit to make it, then God will see that you bump into one. If you need works of faith to make it, then He’ll see they’re provided.

The bottom line is this: If He promises that believers will be saved, then whatever happens between that moment and the moment you make the great exit, He’s going to ensure you’ve got what you need.

That’s the promise.

IF you engage in that John 3:16 belief, then He’s gonna engage you in that John 3:16 salvation.