Sola Fide; Do Calvinists Actually Read the Christian Bible?

Self | 27 Feb 2011 | Natural Law

[Natural Law]

Faith Without Works? Do Calvinists Actually Read the Christian Bible? Is anyone as mystified as I am at this contradictory and unbiblical Calvinist “Sola Fide” idea that faith without works is sufficient for salvation? How can Calvinists reject James Chapter 2 which states that; “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) and "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). To do so is antithetical to Scripture.

The Calvinist rejection of James is at best substitutional, permitting Calvinists to conclude that works naturally follow from and are only a result of true faith thus requiring no conscious commitment or consideration. The result is a negation of the call to Beatitude and a rejection of the obligations of the Second Greatest Commandment issued by Jesus Himself.

Borrowing from Hinduism many fringe Calvinists actually practice a form of the Brahiminst caste system in which they profess that their own Salvation was secure from the beginning of time and no obligation exists toward the less fortunate and needy because God rejected their election from the beginning of time.

The substitution of actual, contextual Scripture for the more flattering personal interpretations is a return to the Gnostic heresies that the Church successfully rejected more than a thousand years earlier. They attempt to seek truth through Scripture on their own despite the admonition of Peter who stated; “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20).

Faith alone is insufficient. Adam and Eve had faith yet fell. They spoke directly with God yet succumbed to sin. What about Paul, whom many Calvinists give greater credence than Jesus, when he says; "And if I should have prophesy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could move mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13: 2).

Perhaps the citations some will more closely identify with; the demons whom Jesus expelled.

"And behold they [the demons] cried out saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" (Matt 8: 29).

The demons had faith certainly equal to that of the Calvinists. Not only do they profess that Jesus is the Son of God, but they also have a profound knowledge of Scripture and profess belief in the final judgment. Peter didn’t profess that Christ is the Son of God in Matthew 16:16-- eight chapters later. Why didn’t Jesus didn't make the demons the rock on which He built His Church? He required Works to build His Church.

[RobRoy]

So, it all boils down to John 3:16?

;)

[Rippin]

Why can’t people understand that true faith and belief will cause someone to act. It’s not the act that saves but the act proves that one has faith.

Actually, the act proves nothing because those acts are also performed by the non-elect.

[bibletruth]

The actual and real gospel today for the Church of Grace believes is 1 Cor. 15:3-5. Because the gospel message 1 Cor. 15:3-5 CONTAINS is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. John 3:16 does not contain the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ [Messiah]. John 3:16 is primarily for the Jewish believers in the four Gospels; but of course, Catholics are unable to advance beyond the four Gospels, hence, acting just like the Pharisees and Saducees in Matthew 16:12.

[RobRoy]

I like to tell friends that there were no Christians in the crowds Jesus addressed. At least, none in the sense that one is a Christian after his death and resurrection.

[American Constitutionalist]

Perhaps ? if you took the time to read that whole chapter of James you will get the proper context from it, instead of leaning on someone’s interpretation.
What was James talking about Faith without works ?

Well ? if someone was truly saved, or " Born Again " those " Good deeds " would be a part, evident in their life.
Good deeds are not what get's you saved or " Born Again " or bring you to GOD, but, Good deeds will be the fruit in a believer's life.
Faith that is not exercising ( working, motion, put your money where your mouth is ) is dead, phony, fake.
James said ? in effect ? he was saying, asking ? to the effect " So ? you call yourself a Christian ? but, yet ? you see a brother ( remember the Golden Rule ? ) or sister who is poor and in hunger, you tell them, have a good day, GOD will bless, but ? you don't feed them ? then ? you are a phony. "

James was saying, if you say your a Christian ? don't be just a hearer of the word, but, be a doer of the word, don't be a fake , phony religious Christian.

Isaiah had somethings to say about those who appear " Godly " on the outside, but, phony on the inside.

Isaiah 58


1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.


Just a note ? the writer of the book of Hebrews said ( read chapter 6 for yourself ) that " Repentance " is repentance from " ( Dead Works ) " .... yes, for one tho truly come to God and be saved is repenting from dead works.

If you have bothered to read the whole book of James in " Context " perhaps you won't be able to fool people because they will be reading the fine print ( full context ).

James was talking about Christians who were not sincere, true " Christians " , fake, phony Christians who have no love for their Christian brother or sister.
If you say your a Christian and refuse to feed your hungry Christian brother or sister ? then ? your faith is dead ! your a fake phony christian, that's what James was trying to say.... read it, it's in there in that chapter of James.

[American Constitutionalist]

" "" I was trying to think of a way to put it and you pretty much got it. I had a conversation with a friend the other day about this. She was asking if anyone moved a mountain or walked on water with just faith. My answer is, yes, every single day. People of industrious nature transform mountains through industry and build enterprise that crosses across waters. Faith isn't just a magic word or two you say, nor is it a Peter Pan wish; if you really wish hard enough.... Faith is the will to act and the belief through action you can and you do. Works are the result of faith and faith is evidence through works. Without action, faith is just an empty word that accomplishes nothing. ""

Bingo !

You pretty well nailed it with that.

It's amazing how the works folks love to quote James, but, disregard that there is more abundant scriptures that show more evidence towards that we are saved by grace through faith.
We might as well called them " Jamesmites " Jamesmillians ?

Another aspect of what James was saying is ( in our words today, or term " Put your money where your mouth is " .
It's amazing these people who love to quote " Faith without works is dead " but ? choose to ignore what James is saying in the whole chapter ? isn't it ?

[American Constitutionalist]

" If you cannot distinguish between faith in action, and works of the flesh, then the entire bible becomes a nonsensical collection of contradictions "

That's because ? the preaching of the Cross of Jesus Christ ( saved by Grace, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and not by works ) is " foolishness " to those who are perishing.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

[American Constitutionalist]

How many " Laws " of God do " you " think that someone can be saved ?

Do you now know ? that those who live by the law ? shall keep " ALL " the law ? do you know that ? right ?
And ? if you break just one jot or tittle of the law, your are guilty of breaking " ALL " the law ? you are aware of that, right ?
So ? have you keep " ALL " the law since you were born ?
At what point of keeping the law do you think you are saved in your own eyes, opps, I mean, in God's eyes ?

What the Mosaic law that requires that anyone who touches a dead thing, or body must stay outside the camp a certain amount of time until the priest declares you clean to come back into the camp, or, in your case, your house and church.
Do you keep that law of God when you remove any mice or rats from your house ?
How about the Mosaic Law that says, that you can not touch anyone who has any kind of discharge from their body ?
Are you a woman ? if you are on your monthly cycle, you have to go outside the camp of Israel until you are declared clean, and if your a husband of a woman who is on their monthly cycle, you can not touch your wife until she is declared clean by the priest.
If your a doctor or nurse, you can not perform your job because you can not touch a person who has any kind of body discharge.
Yes, let's talk about living by the " LAW " if you guy's are so dogmatic of living by the law of God.

Yes, where is your sacrifice animals to bring to God as a sacrifice ? how about your priest of your church ? does he bring a yearly sacrifice for all the sins of all the people in the church for the year ? , yes, let's talk about living by the law of GOD.
I am sure you have not kept " ALL " of GOD's law.

How about Israel ?
Where are their yearly sacrifice for sin every year ?
That stopped when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.( read up on your history )

Where is your atonement for your sin ? since you don't trust and believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ ?
If you trust in your " Own works to save you " then ? you are still in your sins because the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ can not help you, since you trust in your own works, and living by the law,,,, there must be a atonement for sin, and Jesus Christ provided us with that.

[American Constitutionalist]

I am a Messianic Jew.. not a Cavinist.

[American Constitutionalist]

Since you " Really " want to put a empases on the word " works " well then, this is what Jesus had to say about it.
Since Jesus Christ is God himself, then, we must listen carefully in what he has to say.

John chapter 6 verses 26-40.

26. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
27. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

28. Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

30. So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c]”

32. Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34. “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
36. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
37. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
38. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
39. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
40. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”


Did you see that ? or bother to read it ?

The people asked Jesus what are the works , or what we " do " do to do what GOD requires, not what man requires, or what man " thinks " what God requires, but, right here you hear it right from GOD's very own mouth ( Jesus's mouth )...

( *** 28. Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”


( **** 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” **** ) .... what must we do ? we must believe on him whom God sent for our Salvation.....

[American Constitutionalist]

" One need only spend a little time in the Religion Forum to experience the menopausal shrieks against "Rome""

As a Messianic Jew, and since the Romans destroyed our city in 70 AD, I have no regard for " ROME " and God said to Abraham, those who bless you, I will bless, and those who curse you, I will curse.

Those who bless Israel, God will bless, those who curse Israel, God will curse.
Those who harm Israel ? God will take vengeance on them, even if it was your beloved " Rome " or Catholicism.
If " Rome " lays a hand or finger on Israel ? they will stoke God's anger on them, I don't care what the so called " Catholic Church says " you are cursed if you harm Israel.

[agere_contra]

Even Martin Luther characterized James as an “epistle of straw”

Well of course he did. Sola Scriptura is a lot easier to maintain if you airbrush out the bits you don't like.

[norge]

Thank you! It took 47 posts before the most important element of salvation was mentioned...the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

[Revelation 911]

this is how you share the Gospels with others? - slamming the door in their faces?

maybe instead of playing armchair theologian (believe me, youre no Chesterton), you’ll spend some time to focus of what Christ commands from you.

[Cronos]

It depends on which Calvinists -->The PCUSA, the largest group of Presbyterians (80%) reads it's own version of the pinko gospel.

The OPC has it's own 14-page excerpted Bible with notes by their prophet, Machen Gresham.

Was it in Herr Doktor's guild-house that they have mangers with baby Machen in?

[Cronos]

Borrowing from Hinduism many fringe Calvinists actually practice a form of the Brahiminst caste system in which they profess that their own Salvation was secure from the beginning of time and no obligation exists toward the less fortunate and needy because God rejected their election from the beginning of time.

Quite correct -- Calvinism seems to be one of the great borrowings from Eastern New Agism.

The smug elect Brahmins of Calvinism look down on the lower Castes (Methodists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, orthodoxy etc) and consider it all to be karma.

[Cronos]

Hilaire Beloc describes it well in "how the reformation happened"

>What Calvin did was this. He took what is one of the oldest and most perilous directives of mankind, the sense of Fate. He isolated it, and he made it supreme, by fitting it, with the kneading of a powerful mind, into the scheme which Christian men still traditionally associated with the holiness and authority of their ancestral religion.

God had become Man, and God had become Man to redeem mankind. That was no part of the old idea of Inevitable Fate.

On the contrary, it was a relief from that pagan nightmare. We of the Faith say that the Incarnation was intended to release us from such a pagan nightmare. Well, Calvin accepted the Incarnation, but he forced it to fit in with the old pagan horror of compulsion: “Ananke.”

He reintroduced the Inexorable.

Yes, God had become Man and had died to save mankind; but only mankind in such numbers and persons as He had chosen to act for. The idea of the Inexorable remained. The merits of Christ were imputed, and no more. God was Causation, and Causation is one immutable whole.

A man was damned or saved; and it was not of his doing. The recognition of evil as equal with good, which rapidly becomes the worship of evil (the great Manichean heresy, which has roots as old as mankind; the permanent motive of Fear) was put forward by Calvin in a strange new form. He did not indeed oppose, as had the Manichean, two equal principles of Good and of Evil. He put forward only one principle, God. But to that One Principle he ascribed all our suffering, and, for most of us, necessary and eternal suffering.

Again, the Catholic Church had called the soul of man immortal. Calvin accepted that doctrine; but under his hands it becomes an immortality of doom, and for the few who shall have doom to beatitude, doom it yet is, as doom is is to the myriads for whom it shall mean despair.

[Cronos]

And, you got the Hinduism link to Calvinism quite correct.

Calvinists say The Father predestinated the plan and the Son and Spirit agreed to the plan .

Polytheism Calvinist style.

God the Father is "conferencing" with the Son and the Spirit

Here is proof that calvinism is finally shedding off it's pretence to be Triniatrian Christian.

[Cronos]

Calvinists deny Genesis and that God created man good. On the contrary, they say that God created imperfect beings.

The Calvinists have made their deity a deity that creates evil. Since they do that, they hence believe their deity has evil in Him

[Cronos]

yes, but CB, you're not Calvinist, the Presbyterians (PCA/OPC) consider your beliefs to be "damnable heresy".

The Church has always taught that we are saved by God's grace -- that is the initial grace that allows us to accept His salvation.

Yet scripture says that we must work out our own salvation and we know from Ezekiel 33:12-16 that we can lose our salvation

So let's put it together -- Christ's sacrifice is what saves us. We must accept this salvation. Yet we can lose it (Eze 33) and scripture tells us to work out our own salvation and that salvation is not by faith alone. So that means we must work to accept this salvation provided by Christ

If we do just works and have no faith, we are not saved. If we do just works and do not accept the salvation of Christ, i.e. believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and God and Savior and died for us, we are not saved.

Our works cannot save us -- only Christ can save us -- that is Church teaching

The merit of man before God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first on his own initiative, and then follows man's free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God, then to the faithful. Man's merit, moreover, itself is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit. The Catechism confirms this as

Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men.

Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.

This vocation to eternal life is supernatural. It depends entirely on God's gratuitous initiative, for he alone can reveal and give himself. It surpasses the power of human intellect and will, as that of every other creature.

The preparation of man for the reception of grace is already a work of grace. This latter is needed to arouse and sustain our collaboration in justification through faith, and in sanctification through charity. God brings to completion in us what he has begun, "since he who completes his work by cooperating with our will began by working so that we might will it:

Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church

Since it belongs to the supernatural order, grace escapes our experience and cannot be known except by faith.

"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mt 16:24).