Faith and Works

A freely given gift by God that can’t be earned to help lead to salvation.

Justification by works.

Believed ppl needed to undergo confession and penance to receive justification.

If someone died without doing enough penance for sins = purgatory

This is where penance was completed incl suffering to get person to heaven

Paper issued by the Pope

Could be bought to stop someone from having to do penance and giving them a place in heaven without purgatory

Dead could be released from purgatory if someone surviving bought indulgences in their honour.

Justification by faith alone

(Sola Fide)

Felt a deep anxiety he wouldn’t be able to achieve salvation

Confessed all his sins but still felt lost from God

Paul in Romans 1:17

“the one who is righteous will live by faith”

Romans 5:1

“we are justified by faith”

James 2:24

“a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”

31st October, 1517

Posted ‘Ninety-Five Theses against clerical abuses in the Catholic Church’ on the door of the Church

Protestant Revolution

1545-1563

Disagreed with Luther. Decided:

1. Faith and works are needed

2. Faith must have works otherwise it is dead faith

3. We must work with God to bring our salvation

4. Righteous first by baptism and then good works and penance

Good works don’t lead to grace bc grace is a gift from God

Good works don’t lead to eternal life. Eternal life is a gift form God for anyone who believes

Luther interpreted Paul’s ideas about justification incorrectly.

Judaism had covenantal nomism which meant Jews entered into a covenant by God’s grace, but had to stay in by works.

Paul believed Christians entered into a new covenant with Jesus after his sacrifice.

New covenant meant Christians didn’t have to follow Jewish works like circumcision/ kosher food/ the Sabbath etc bc this was part of the old covenant

But, still had to follow other new works like charity

Justification happens by faith and works.