tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post8240626776084884030..comments2023-10-25T02:18:43.690-07:00Comments on Contend Earnestly: Five Solas of the Reformation - Sola Gratia - Part IISeth McBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765679934165890595noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-33205767123106439042009-12-21T10:41:58.519-08:002009-12-21T10:41:58.519-08:00Ephesians 2:8-9 "8For by grace you have been ...Ephesians 2:8-9 "8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."<br /><br />This is not "sounds like", it says clearly - "not a result of works"<br /><br />We are saved by grace though faith alone, but not by faith that is alone. Faith is evidenced by good works.<br /><br />So yes, do these things, seek Christ, but don't think you're saved cause you did well enough.<br /><br />The righteousness that gets us into the Kingdom is Christ's, not our own.Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11935248001128170742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-27719311208077968102009-12-20T20:40:02.566-08:002009-12-20T20:40:02.566-08:00As stated in Wikipedia, "Sola scriptura (Lati...As stated in Wikipedia, "Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the doctrine that the Bible is the only infallible and inerrant authority for Christian faith, and that it contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness" This doctrine is unscriptural and incorrect. <br /><br />First, one must remember that Jesus established the church when he handed Peter the keys to the kingdom. The New Testament had yet to be written. Secondly, it was several hundred years before the cannonicity of the books and epistles of the New Testament was established. Many books such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, the Epistle of Clement, and the Didache were rejected. It was the Catholic Church which decided which books were cannonical. On this basis alone, sola scriptura is invalid.<br /><br />But the scriptures themselves refute this doctrine. Thus, St. Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:15 that the church, and not scripture, is the pillar and foundation of truth.<br /><br />Moreover, St. Paul states "hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."<br /><br />In addition to the teachings of the Church, there is also sacred tradition. Thus, it was sacred tradition which give us the doctrine of the Trinity which states in part that Jesus is both fully human and fully devine. True, the doctrine of the Trinity is supported by scripture but this doctrine was only fully articulated through sacred tradition.Ted Timmisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-53775504142541935642009-12-20T20:04:36.539-08:002009-12-20T20:04:36.539-08:00The doctrine of sola fide is just plain wrong. Wha...The doctrine of sola fide is just plain wrong. What does Jesus say about works and salvation?<br /><br />In John 6:52, Jesus instructs us to receive his flesh and blood through the Holy Eucharist (celebrating the Lord's Supper).<br /><br />In Matthew 5:19-20, Jesus states, "whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.<br /><br />In John 3:21 (right after John 3:15), Jesus states: "whoever lives the truth comes to the light so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." Back to Matthew, Jesus states: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven." Again, in Matthew, Jesus states: "For who ever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, sister, and mother." Sounds like salvation requires one to do the will of the father.<br /><br />OK, but does the will of God mean doing good deeds for salvation? As Jesus states in John 5:28: "the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life..." <br /><br />As James states, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" James 2:17<br /><br />Thus, Jesus asks us to do many things for salvation: <br /><br />Love God, Luke 10:27<br /><br />Deny self interest before Jesus, Mark 8:34, Luke 14:25<br /><br />Acknowledge Jesus before men, Matt.10:32<br /><br />Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:29<br /><br />Confess and repent of sinfulness, Mark 1:15<br /><br />Love your neighbor, Luke 10:27<br /><br />Love your enemies, Luke 5:43<br /><br />"Turn the other cheek" Matt. 5:38<br /><br />"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Luke 7:32<br /><br />Be forgiving of others, Matt. 7:12<br /><br />Endure sacrifice, Luke 9:23;<br /><br />Be charitable, Matt. 5:42, 10:21; <br /><br />Be trustworthy, Luke 16:10;<br /><br />Be courageous, Luke 12:2-8<br /><br />Be productive, Luke 19:12;<br /><br />Don't love money, Matt. 16:13;<br /><br />Don't store up earthly riches, Luke 18:25<br /><br />Don't commit abortion (As Jesus states: "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me" Matt. 25:40; See also, Mark 9:37; Mark 10:14; Luke 10:48, Psalm 1:39; Jer. 1:5; Psalm 139 (You knit me together in my mother's womb. . . Your eyes saw my unformed body).<br /><br />This is what it means to be a Christian. Against this, Protestants will cite St. Paul when he says that one is saved by faith apart from the law. Romans 3:21-25 This is true! St. Paul was saying that dietary proscriptions, circumcision and other aspects of the law do not bring salvation; he did not say that salvation comes from faith apart from good works, righteousness, sacraments and obedience to God.Ted Timmisnoreply@blogger.com