Salvation
Doctrine of Salvation 1) Initial thesis statement: Is salvation “by faith alone” (according to Luther) or must there be a “cooperation of faith and works” in salvation (according to the Roman Catholic tradition)? My initial answer to this question before I began this study was that of the Roman Catholic tradition, one must have the combination of both faith and works. Although faith plays a big part of salvation, I tend to believe without both works and faith you may not receive it. 2) First view:
Salvation is “by faith alone” is held to be true by many people. Perhaps the most popular figure from the European Reformation, Martin Luther, noted for his doctrine of justification by faith alone was one who believed that only faith was needed for salvation, and he also held true that God provided everything that is necessary for justification. In 1528 Luther spoke out about salvation saying, “This faith alone, when based upon the sure promises of God, must save us; as our text clearly explains. And in the light of it all, they must become fools who have taught us other ways to become godly. ... Man may forever do as he will, he can never enter heaven unless God takes the first step with his Word, which offers him divine grace and enlightens his heart so as to get upon the right way.” Another important person who was on the side of salvation through faith alone is Paul. He uses a passage from Ephesians to support of his idea.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” He puts the emphasis on the fact that salvation is by faith alone. Paul later goes on to say
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” That being said, we as humans are created to do good works, but reach salvation through faith alone. Yet another passage suggesting that we must only have faith is “For God so
Salvation is “by faith alone” is held to be true by many people. Perhaps the most popular figure from the European Reformation, Martin Luther, noted for his doctrine of justification by faith alone was one who believed that only faith was needed for salvation, and he also held true that God provided everything that is necessary for justification. In 1528 Luther spoke out about salvation saying, “This faith alone, when based upon the sure promises of God, must save us; as our text clearly explains. And in the light of it all, they must become fools who have taught us other ways to become godly. ... Man may forever do as he will, he can never enter heaven unless God takes the first step with his Word, which offers him divine grace and enlightens his heart so as to get upon the right way.” Another important person who was on the side of salvation through faith alone is Paul. He uses a passage from Ephesians to support of his idea.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” He puts the emphasis on the fact that salvation is by faith alone. Paul later goes on to say
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” That being said, we as humans are created to do good works, but reach salvation through faith alone. Yet another passage suggesting that we must only have faith is “For God so
Cited: "On Faith & Coming to Christ, by Martin Luther." <http://homepage.mac.com/shanerosenthal/reformationink/mlonfaith.htm>. McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology: an Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Blackwell, 1998. Print. Ankerberg, John, and John Weldon. Protestants & Catholics: Do They Now Agree? Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1995. Print. -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology: an Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Blackwell, 1998. Print. [ 2 ]. "On Faith & Coming to Christ, by Martin Luther." . [ 3 ]. Ephesians 2:8-9 [ 4 ]. Ephesians 2:10 [ 5 ]. John 3:16 [ 6 ]. James 2:17-18