The Heart of the Matter: Justification by Faith
At the core of Christianity lies a fundamental question: how do we attain righteousness before God? While believers agree that justification comes through faith, a centuries-old debate rages on: is it by faith alone, or does it require good works as well?
A Catholic Perspective
Roman Catholic theology posits that justification is a process initiated at baptism, with believers obligated to cooperate with grace to receive a favorable verdict from God at the end of life. Peter Kreeft, a prominent Catholic theologian, argues that Protestantism’s emphasis on faith alone contradicts Scripture. However, Kreeft also acknowledges that our answer to God’s question of why we deserve heaven should begin with “Christ,” not “I.”
The Biblical Case for Sola Fide
The Bible, however, presents a different narrative. In Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16, and Galatians 3:11, we’re told that justification comes through faith apart from works of the law. The righteousness that acquits us comes not through our own merits, but through faith in Christ. Faith is not the basis of our justification, but rather the means by which we connect with the object of our faith – Christ.
Faith: The Instrumental Cause of Justification
Calvin likened faith to a vessel, emphasizing that we must come empty-handed to receive Christ’s grace. Faith is the outstretched hand that receives Christ and his benefits. The act of believing itself does not save; it’s the instrumental cause of our justification. As the Belgic Confession states, faith “is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ our righteousness.”
Good Works: The Fruit of Justification
While good works do not contribute to the root of our justification, they must be evident in the lives of justified sinners. As Turretin observed, “it is one thing for works to be connected with faith in the person of the justified; another, however, in the matter of justification.”
Resolving the Apparent Contradiction
The book of James seems to contradict the Protestant doctrine of sola fide, stating that we’re justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24). However, this apparent contradiction disappears when we understand that James and Paul address different concerns. James asks what genuine faith looks like, while Paul queries how we’re right with God. James wants faith to be demonstrated by works, not supplanted or supplemented by them.
Reconciling Paul and James
Paul and James use “works” in different ways: Paul refers to works of the law, while James speaks of the works of faith. They also employ the word “justify” differently: Paul deals with forensic declaration of righteousness, while James focuses on practical evidence of real faith. Ultimately, there is no conflict between Paul and James. We’re justified by faith alone, apart from works of the law, but the faith that justifies will always work itself out in love.
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