Sola Fide?

Question

Despite what is clearly written in the book of James most of Protestantism believes that we are saved by faith alone. Can someone find for me within the canon of scriptures where it says we are saved by faith alone.

I am not looking for scriptures, which say we are saved by faith; they are obvious and abundant. You must find scriptures, which specifically say, we are saved by faith alone. If you are using a Lutheran Bible, you must justify how Martin Luther has the authority to add the word alone to the book of Galatians, which doesn't exist in the Latin or Greek texts of the New Testament Scriptures.

Answer 1

We *are* saved by Faith. However - many Protestants forget to take note that even the Faith they have is a gift from God. To believe anything else is Pelagianism - or, "semi-Pelagianism" at least.

Besides - "saved" indicates a past-tense, one-time experience - - Salvation (from the Latin "salus", or "health") is a journey, not an event. Otherwise - why would St. Paul have admonished us to "work out (y)our salvation with fear and trembling"?

Answer 2

Lutherans believe and teach that the faith which saves is not merely intellectual assent to Scriptural propositions but is alone the penitent sinner's trust in God's forgiveness offered in Christ's name; that such faith is not an act of obedience or a self-induced achievement of the human will but is entirely God's act of grace by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel; and that if a man has not this simple trust in Christ, he cannot be saved.
References: James 2: 19; Isaiah 55: 6-7; Mark 1: 15; John 1: 12, 16; 1 Corinthians 12: 3; Romans 10L 17; Acts 16: 31; John 3: 36
ps. There is no Lutheran Bible... just the Protestant one. Martin Luther never had the urge to add to or change the Bible, he merely wanted it to be taught properly and to be in the language of the people.

Answer 3

Lets see...This is probably not a great answer, but if you don't want Scripture quoted at you, I will try and apply logic. Keep in mind with literal interpretation of the Bible, and the doctrine of Sola Fide applying logic as a confessional Lutheran is illogical.

Be mind-full also that the only truly "Lutheran" Bible is Martin Luther's German Translation. All of us English speaking types use the same English Translations as every one else.
Here in Ontario Canada the Amish and Mennonites that use German in their services, use Luther's Bible, and they are about as far from Lutheran as east is from west as they believe in decision theology.

I assume that having asked the question you do believe in salvation and Christ.

1. We can't earn salvation because it is impossible to keep the Law perfectly and entirely. The Bible tells us that we are conceived and born in sin, all are guilty and have fallen short of the law, etc.

2. Christ earned salvation for all by his once and for all sacrifice on the cross.

3. Christ died for all, but all are not saved. "wheat from the chaff" "Sheep from the Goats" etc.

4. Something must happen to save those who are saved, yet we can't save our selves.

5. Salvation must be a gift, even though we remain sinners.

6. Since works don't work, and we can't save ourselves, the only thing left is Faith, since we can't believe on our own it is a gift of Gods Grace. Hence the other SOLAS.

Why can we be saved? Gods Grace alone(Sola Gracia)

How do we come to know and receive Gods Grace? Through Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)

From this we receive the Faith that saves us. Faith is the only thing that can save us (Sola Fide).

Logic sucks. I think you better stick with Sola Scriptura!

Mark

Answer 4

Interesting.

If I were Jewish, I would ask you what right Paul had adding his doctrine to the Old Testament that stated that Gentiles could be included into the "chosen" fold. Especially when God spent 4000 years before Christ, killing them and trying to keep the Jews pure and set apart from them.

My guess is that you would state that Paul was given a divine message allowing for the new testament doctrine. Then why not Martin Luther?

None of it really makes sense if you think about it, and it can't be logically argued, because the text is too broad.

If God were real and wanted humans to know his will, he probably would have made he message a little clearer, rather than allow people to fight over it for their entire existance.

Answer 5

Actually, I'd like to see someone come up with a verse, any verse, from the Hebrew Tanakh (Bible) that says that the god of Israel has a son or is more than one entity. Somehow, all of the Jews I talk to say this just isn't so, let alone the rest of the stuff from the so called New Testement.

Answer 6

I do not believe any one can, but I'll wait with you for the answers.

Father K
And scripture proof is.......?

Answer 7

Good question, try this link...