Does it bother you that some believe in the "faith alone" doctrine?

Question

I mean, how is it fair that some psychopath rapist or child molester can make it to heaven because he "believes" that jesus is his savior, but a good, moral, selfless person like, oh I don't know, an atheist or a buddhist will supposedly go to hell? I do not want to hear that god forgives or any of that bull crap. I want a serious answer to why a person who devotes his or her ENTIRE life to helping out their fellow man apparently doesn't have a ticket to heaven. Please do not quote scripture. I have already read the bible and have no desire to read it again. I want to hear what *YOU* think about "faith alone". Thank you for your imput.

sarcrl, you seem like a very unhappy person. I feel sorry for you.

Answer 1

faith alone is faith put to no use.

Answer 2

Well, if those psychopath rapist or child molesters truly repent and have faith (faith in that Jesus died for their sins and through his grace they are saved), they would change from their ways. They would regret what they had done. That NEW person they become has admittance to heaven only after they make a 180 degree turn from their old ways.

If the psypath rapists or child molesters say they have faith but dont act it out, and continue raping and molesting people, that's not true faith. So they may SAY they have faith, but dont really have it.

There's a difference between SAYING you have faith and TRULY HAVING & ACTING OUT that faith.

The reason faith is so necessary is that without it, you live your whole life unsure of what your future is. When "being a good person" gets you to heaven, how good is "good"? based on what standards is "good"?

Have you ever lied, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said, "Whoeer looks at a woman (or man) to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you looked with list? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a ying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The bible warns that you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent his Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon himself. Repent (turn away from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible and obey. Faith in this truth is Faith.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

The "faith-alone" doctrine is a great equalizer. Many people act good by human standards simply because they were born without any real weaknesses or temptations. From the outside, they seem to be doing well, but in reality, they are capable of doing better - but are too lazy to try since they are already ahead of all of the weak people anyway.

As James says, faith without works is dead (even the devils in Hell believe in God and tremble), so obviously if one truly has faith in God, then one will try to act like it and not just say it. Faith-alone implies that God judges you by your intentions and effort, not your results. It is not intended to be a get out of hell free card, but is intended to teach humility by discouraging comparisons with other people.

I think that you are having problems with the concept of "mercy", because you are one of the strong people who take pride in your own natural ability to act better than others. Even if you are naturally good, because your temperament is predisposed to do so, then you get no credit for that, because your lack of any obvious weakness is a gift that you were born with; it requires no real effort on your part to act good. Besides, it almost sounds like your motive to do good is simply to pat yourself on the back so that you can tell yourself that you are better than others -- any bad motives cancels out any good that you might have done.

You have read the Bible -- you know all this.

Answer 4

Hi - I think the "faith alone" theory was invented long ago by men in power to help control the masses. It's a great way to start a religion, if you think about it. The admission price is almost free - there's nothing to do everybody can come on in!!!

And, yes it bugs me greatly. But I believe that if there is a God and he is Good, Powerful, Wise, Kind and Loving then it is only reasonable that he values works and actions and character above some saccharine devotions. Any other thinking is nuts.

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Answer 5

Since you don't want to hear what the Bible (your best source) says about this, let me refer you to James Dobson's inteview with Jeffery Dahmer just before Dahmer was executed for multiple murders. The video may possibly be available to rent from a video outlet, or from EBay, Half.com, or certainly from Dobson's Focus on the Family website.
Dahmer repented from his sins and told a cautionary tale of how he came to commit those muders and the horrible sex crimes associated with the murders. His repentance, if real (and Dobson was convinced about it) was all that is required for his salvation.
Don't forget, we're ALL sinners. There is none good, no not one, including you and including me; we're born that way.
Congratulations for being a good moral person! It is not enough.
When Warren Betty donated mega-billions of dollars to charity, he was asked by Larry King in an interview if he was going to Heaven. Betty answered that he is sure that he is going to Heaven, he paid enough for his ticket. Sorry Warren, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Answer 6

The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic beliefs and emphasis in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day.

Sola gratia ("by grace alone")
Sola fide ("by faith alone")
Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")
Solo Christo ("by Christ alone")
Soli Deo gloria ("Glory to God alone")

Regardless, your theory that good works merit salvation and sinful acts merit condemnation is known as sanctification, which the Scripture clearly does not advocate.

Ephesians 2
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Almost all other religions besides Christianity support sanctification, including Judaism and Islam. Catholicism and Mormonism are two "Christian" denominations that also stress the importance of sanctification.

Answer 7

Sounds like you'll only listen to the answer that you want, in which case there is no real need for anyone to answer.

Men are justified by faith, not by works, so that noone can boast saying "I made my own way into heaven." The only way into heaven is through Jesus Christ (in Christian belief), and the atheist and the buddhist simply haven't accepted that/him.

Answer 8

it quite is not 'fake', it quite is in simple terms taken out of context. that's between the least confusing ingredient to discover counterdicting scripture. the two faith and works function mutually, not aside. Our salvation is interior the direction of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and not by utilising our own capability. If we are without charity Jesus has warned us that it will not count how plenty we call him Lord, Lord. enable us to stay with all of the scripture. enable us to be happy for God's grace, and enable us to try to be proper whilst our Father in heaven is proper.

Answer 9

Believing isn't enough. Even the demons believed and trembled. So lets just say a murder all of a sudden said I believe in Jesus, well that doesn't mean he is saved. The Holy Spirit must show us our need to be saved. If one doesn't know he is lost why would he need Jesus. So believing isn't enough.

Answer 10

It really doesn't bother me that some people believe because of faith alone, but I am not comfortable accepting something to be true on such terms, which is why I am an agnostic. And when "faith alone" thinkers try to challenge me in a philosophical conversation, I usually poke holes in their logic easily, but there's usually more of them, so I guess it comes out a tie.

Answer 11

Sola Fide (by faith alone); Sola Gratia (by grace alone); Sola Scriptura (on the Word alone); Solus Christus (because of Christ alone); and Soli Deo Gloria (to the Glory of God alone)