[knarf]

If I truly believe something that has a direct effect on how I live, I WILL live differently than if I did not believe, or since before I believed ... and it WILL be as important AS my belief.

[Alex Murphy]

"For evangelical Christians, what one believes is more important than how one lives." This is a quote taken from quite a long article posted in this forum called "A Protestant Historian Discovers the Catholic Church," by A. David Anders, Ph.D. I find it to be a very serious claim, even an accusation, and so it should be addressed.

I'm not worried.

[cuban leaf]

“For evangelical Christians, what one believes is more important than how one lives.”

---

As a protestant Christian, I would say that in a general way that is true. It is faith that saves, not works, though faith without works is dead.

Living “right” will definitely make your life more enjoyable, but it won’t get you a centimater closer to salvation. Conversely, admitting you’re lost and trusting (believing) in God’s saving grace is the ONLY path to salvation. Works will follow. More with some than with others.

Works are not what saves, but salvation will result in a modification of your life. If you are concerned that your actions are risking your salvation, you’re doing it wrong.

[AD from SpringBay]

The claim / headline is a nice broad-brush statement. It could cut both ways, depending on the individual.

Discuss: For catholics, beliefs more important than how one lives

[LearsFool]

I find it to be a very serious claim, even an accusation, and so it should be addressed.

A person can loosely follow a true religion. So, shall we address the claim/accusation by examining our actions?

A person can devoutly follow a false religion. Shall we examine our beliefs?

Or shall we examine both our beliefs and our actions, and measure them against the Scriptures, rather than pit one against the other in a deceptive dialectic?

[aimhigh]

So, does this explain why Catholic states elect Democrats?

[Salvation]

Why don’t you discuss this on the original thread?

[Salvation]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3171467/posts

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I find it to be a very serious claim, even an accusation, and so it should be addressed.

Why? Statements from converts are generally disparaging of whatever they left behind and full of blind worship of what they have embraced.

[Dr. Thorne]

We are saved by faith alone, not works. This biblical statement is lost on Catholics since they have been taught by their priests that actions are more important than faith. I know many Catholics who believe their works will save them. This is a lie from Hell.

The Lord knows what is in my heart. He also knows that I am a sinner. That is why he came to Earth and died on the Cross - because of my sins. I will continue to be a sinner since only Jesus was perfect. My life is changed because of my faith, but I still need Him for the forgiveness of my sins. No matter how hard I work to be better and to do good, I will remain a sinner.

[Biggirl]

God Bless you for posting this article. You are correct.

[Gumdrop]

I read the article yesterday as it was posted on FR. As a Catholic it gave me a lot of insights into the differences between Catholics and Protestants. It also had a lot of early church history.

That being said, I always bristle when over arching statements are made about large groups which seem to force all into a single specific frame of mind. I do not believe that all evangelicals feel the way that the title of this thread indicates.

Evangelicals can no more be put into boxes than Catholics can.

The subject of being saved by faith alone is indeed a difficult one to discuss. It is sort of like what comes first? “The chicken or the egg?” Are we saved by faith and then we do good works? Probably true. However, if one is ‘saved’ does that mean we can go through life superficially and never worry about the well-being of others, because Jesus has saved us? I don’t think so. A failure to live the life of a follower of Jesus, would indicate that we are not actually believers in His message and mercy. We are merely hitchhiking along for the ride.

We are called to witness to Jesus by our actions, and that means doing good works in imitation of the Savior. It is an obligation, not a way the ‘earn’ salvation. We are saved through the blood of Jesus on the cross.