Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: dragon!cms@gatech.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Faith and Works Message-ID: Date: 24 Dec 90 09:04:31 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Projects Unlimited Lines: 38 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu On the issue of faith and works. Just as some books of the Old Testament seem to be disputes with one another, the epistles of Paul and James seem to dispute one another on the issue of faith and works. One viewpoint is that works are outside the salvific process since Paul explicitly states that we are saved by faith and not by works. Another viewpoint is that works are essential to the salvific process because Paul explicitly states that we are saved by faith and not by works but James says without works our faith itself is dead and cannot save us. So, works are essential to our salvation since we are saved by faith and not by works because we must demonstrate our faith by our works. Regardless, it seems to me that, rather than taking one side or the other, we acknowledge that the reason the dispute continues today is because God values the process by which we come to know Him within this dispute. Taking one extreme or the other leads to problems. It is only by acknowledging the importance of both viewpoints that this particular mystery of God becomes manifest. In other words, there's no correct resolution, our response to the question is a test of character. Comments? -- Sincerely, Cindy Smith emory!dragon!cms [While I agree that Paul and James have rather different perspectives, Paul does talk about judgement based on actions. I can't offhand find a list of all the places, but one is I Thes 4:1-8. I find Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship" very helpful in the attenpt to reconcile faith and works. As many others have, he points out that faith is not a bare belief, but involves trust and obedience. Anyone who claims to have faith, but does not obey God is deluded. What I think Paul is primarily arguing against is not the necessity to obey God, but (1) any concept that by doing so we build up a righteousness of our own, and (2) the concept that obedience is based on law. --clh]