...trying to use logic to counteract emotion.
Posted on 06/04/2017 12:29:15 PM PDT by ealgeone
Question: "Why is sola fide important?"
Answer: Sola fide which means "faith alone" is important because it is one of the distinguishing characteristics or key points that separate the true biblical Gospel from false gospels. At stake is the very Gospel itself and it is therefore a matter of eternal life or death. Getting the Gospel right is of such importance that the Apostle Paul would write in Galatians 1:9, “As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Paul was addressing the same question that sola fide addresses—on what basis is man declared by God to be justified? Is it by faith alone or by faith combined with works? Paul makes it clear in Galatians and Romans that man is “justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law” (Galatians 2:16), and the rest of the Bible concurs.
Sola fide is one of the five solas that came to define and summarize the key issues of the Protestant Reformation. Each of these Latin phrases represents a key area of doctrine that was an issue of contention between the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church, and today they still serve to summarize key doctrines essential to the Gospel and to Christian life and practice. The Latin word sola means “alone” or “only” and the essential Christian doctrines represented by these five Latin phrases accurately summarize the biblical teaching on these crucial subjects: sola scriptura—Scripture alone, sola fide—faith alone, sola gratia—grace alone, sola Christus—Christ alone, and sola Deo gloria—for the glory of God alone. Each one is vitally important, and they are all closely tied together. Deviation from one will lead to error in another essential doctrine, and the result will almost always be a false gospel which is powerless to save.
Sola fide or faith alone is a key point of difference between not only Protestants and Catholics but between biblical Christianity and almost all other religions and teachings. The teaching that we are declared righteous by God (justified) on the basis of our faith alone and not by works is a key doctrine of the Bible and a line that divides most cults from biblical Christianity. While most religions and cults teach men what works they must do to be saved, the Bible teaches that we are not saved by works, but by God’s grace through His gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Biblical Christianity is distinct from every other religion in that it is centered on what God has accomplished through Christ’s finished work, while all other religions are based on human achievement. If we abandon the doctrine of justification by faith, we abandon the only way of salvation. “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5). The Bible teaches that those that trust Jesus Christ for justification by faith alone are imputed with His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), while those who try to establish their own righteousness or mix faith with works will receive the punishment due to all who fall short of God’s perfect standard.
Sola fide—the doctrine of justification by faith alone apart from works—is simply recognizing what is taught over and over in Scripture—that at some point in time God declares ungodly sinners righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness to them (Romans 4:5, 5:8, 5:19). This happens apart from any works and before the individual actually begins to become righteous. This is an important distinction between Catholic theology that teaches righteous works are meritorious towards salvation and Protestant theology that affirms the biblical teaching that righteous works are the result and evidence of a born-again person who has been justified by God and regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
How important is sola fide? It is so important to the Gospel message and a biblical understanding of salvation that Martin Luther described it as being “the article with and by which the church stands.” Those who reject sola fide reject the only Gospel that can save them and by necessity embrace a false gospel. That is why Paul so adamantly denounces those who taught law-keeping or other works of righteousness in Galatians 1:9 and other passages. Yet today this important biblical doctrine is once again under attack. Too often sola fide is relegated to secondary importance instead of being recognized as an essential doctrine of Christianity, which it certainly is.
“Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Galatians 3:6-11).
Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.
Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.
Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.
Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.
Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.
Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.
Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.
Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.
Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.
Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.
The only Catholics who will accept that challenge, are ex Catholics, like me. 😀 When I was a Catholic, I went to catholic school for 12 years. I remember some (not all) the nuns and priests DID have Luther living in their heads rent free. I didn't. I was more interested in playing hockey, and flirting with the girls in catechism class. I didn't pay much attention.
I knew I was committing a whole bunch of mortal sins. I didn't care, but I stopped going to communion with thousands of mortal sins on my soul. My dad got suspicious, and wondered if I was committing mortal sins. I was indeed. He even asked me if ever thought about becoming a priest. I just said no, I never considered it. I was too interested in females, and didn't want to take a vow of celibacy. I think anyone with two functioning brain cells, would be crazy to do that. If some Catholics want to do that, they may feel free to knock themselves out. It's better to marry. Even Luther knew that. Glad he took a nun with him. 😁 Yesterday was our weekly Bible study that we have for the Catholics around here. For many of them, this is the first time they have ever heard the truth, since what they got in their works based religion, is not the truth.
Ok, it's Friday morning here, Thursday evening in the states. It's weird, watching Major League Baseball at 7 AM. 😇
There is no throne of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit on the earth...There will be only one throne on the earth that will be the throne of Jesus...And it won't be in Italy...It'll be in Israel...Jerusalem in fact...
Your statement answers the question: 'Why is sola fide important'??? The apostle Peter didn't have a throne...He wouldn't be caught dead in gold decked robes with prescious jewels hanging about him and for certain he would never let another Christian bow to him...And how do we know this???
Sola Fide...
How do we know Mormonism isn't the one, true, religion??? Sola Fide...
How do we know Islam is a fake religion??? Sola Fide...
How do we know Hindu, Bhuddism, Hare Chrishna, Mormanism, Catholicsm, Muzlimanism and the rest are fake religions??? The bible comdemns all of your fake religions...
Sola Fide...The written, recorded words of God...
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Actually, I think it's kinda hilarious! To say the verses are "Protestant" implies that we have them to thank for having a great system to be able to locate specific passages in Scripture and that the Catholics, who USE those verse enumerations, can take no credit for their existence.
Good point!
Oh, honey, there's a LOT you are confused about.
Seven in Asia alone!!
Nah; that wouldn't confuse anyone!!
So; how do YOU like your new pope?
Never mind; I get a feeling for how YOU are judging HIM.
Just what DOCTRINE has Francis changed?
What infallible teachings of the church has he challenged?
So then you ARE confused!
And just HOW do you access and assess all the data needed to make this judgment call?
Are you in close physically proximity to the Man himself?
“Also, yes I wear both a Scapular and a Miraculous Medal and yes I pray to Mary.
Cast away your idols and come to Christ, who alone is able to save.
My daddy told me, "Son; 'tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool; than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
...trying to use logic to counteract emotion.
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