34
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Accepted
If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
Because the Catholic Church doesn't teach that we attain salvation only through the reception of God's grace by faith. That's why the Protestant teaching is called sola fide!
The Catholic Catechism ...
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18
votes
How do Protestants who say Catholicism doesn't teach the true Gospel understand a Catholic person’s faith in Jesus?
(Well taught and informed) Protestants don't make such unqualified statements as "All Catholics are heading to hell". Instead we say that many Catholics are not yet saved, as of course are ...
- 19.3k
14
votes
Why did Luther say "Sin boldy"?
For most of a year following his trial at Worms in April 1521, Martin Luther was in seclusion. During this time his associates at Wittenberg were implementing practical changes in the church there. ...
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13
votes
Accepted
According to Protestants following the Reformation, what did Jesus mean when he said "do this and you will live"?
Protestants typically argue that Jesus is explaining how one might be "saved by works," and not suggesting that it is actually possible for the man to accomplish it on his own – on the contrary, he ...
12
votes
Accepted
Is Luther really the originator of "We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone"?
Calvin
The first extant writing to contain the phrase is John Calvin's Antidote to the Council of Trent (1547).
First, for context, Calvin was responding to Canon 11 of the sixth session of the ...
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10
votes
What was first, sola scriptura or sola fide?
This is a complex topic, for at least two reasons: 1) there was a wide diversity of thought in the pre-Reformation and Reformation periods, and 2) today's definitions of sola scriptura and sola fide ...
8
votes
Are there any major Protestant denominations that have rejected salvation by faith alone?
I intend to respond considering primarily the 'mainstream' Protestant denominations, with minimal (if any) reference to the more obscure sects. This is because I think the term 'Protestant' belongs to ...
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8
votes
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How does repentance fit into the doctrine of sola fide ("by faith alone")?
There are two primary ways that sola fide theologians deal with this issue, and there is ongoing debate between them over it (cf. Lordship salvation controversy). I'll first address the historical ...
8
votes
How do Protestants who say Catholicism doesn't teach the true Gospel understand a Catholic person’s faith in Jesus?
OP: "So on the view of Sola Fide, can’t Catholics still be expected to go to heaven since they express faith? Or am I missing something here?"
What you are missing is the Catholic's defining ...
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7
votes
Do Lutherans believe that the sacraments are necessary for salvation (similar to Catholics), and if so, how do they reconcile this with Sola Fide?
First, a Lutheran is not likely to recognize the phrase "salvation by faith". The usual construct Lutherans use is "justification by faith". For Lutherans, there is a distinction between the two. ...
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7
votes
How do Protestants who say Catholicism doesn't teach the true Gospel understand a Catholic person’s faith in Jesus?
As a protestant, I think Roman Catholicism is full of heresies. I also think Roman Catholic churches probably have at least some, if not many, Christians in them.
The problem with the RCC is when it ...
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6
votes
Accepted
Did Pelagius believe in "faith alone"?
Below I've tried to summarize Calvin's views and then characterize Pelagius' as they relate to salvation by faith alone. All quotes from Calvin below are from his Institutes of the Christian religion. ...
- 1,180
6
votes
What is the biblical basis against Sola Fide (salvation by faith alone, apart from works)?
The doctrine of Sola fide (Latin for "by faith alone") holds that:
God's pardon for guilty sinners is granted to and received through faith alone, excluding all "works."
And that:
God, on the ...
- 8,455
6
votes
If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
I'd like to focus on the following part of your question because it is not answered, yet:
If ..., why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
This question implies that the main reasons for the ...
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6
votes
What is the protestant apologetic for James' explicit statement that we are justified by works?
According to the New Bible Dictionary, 2nd Ed., "Justifiction" entry, Paul used justify as a technical term, but James used it in a general sense of being vindicated, or proved genuine and right with ...
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5
votes
What is the protestant apologetic for James' explicit statement that we are justified by works?
This verse by itself may seem to some that it is implying works based salvation, but upon further examination, this is not necessarily the case. Proponents of Sola Fide would cite the context of the ...
- 745
5
votes
Did Luther add a word to Romans 3?
Yes, clearly and obviously, Luther added the word "alone" to his translation. But that's not the real question to ask. If you'll permit a small digression, the real question is why. It is clear that ...
- 219
5
votes
Accepted
How do Protestants who say Catholicism doesn't teach the true Gospel understand a Catholic person’s faith in Jesus?
"Faith" in both the Bible and common usage includes both belief in someone's reliability, and reliance on them. Saving faith is both belief that Christ's life, death, and resurrection ...
- 166
4
votes
Are there any major Protestant denominations that have rejected salvation by faith alone?
Seventh Day Adventists is also a mainstream protestant denomination (with trinity, faith-centered outlook, etc) that stresses faith but places importance on the fruits of faith for salvation. As many ...
- 3,260
4
votes
If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
While it is true that one can say the Eastern Orthodox proclaims "salvation by grace through faith", the eastern understanding of what exactly salvation is departs radically from that of western ...
- 5,468
3
votes
What is the protestant apologetic for James' explicit statement that we are justified by works?
Let's take some basic context and expand out a few verses.
James 2:21-24
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22- You see that faith was ...
- 1,496
3
votes
How do those who believe in a works or works + faith based salvation interpret Jesus' words to the criminal in Luke 23:43?
According to Emanuel Swedenborg, faith without works does not save a person
(Note: This section can be skipped by those who are interested only in the Swedenborgian interpretation of Luke 23:39-43. ...
- 8,455
3
votes
Accepted
What is an overview of Lutheran faith-alone systematically taught before Martin Luther?
I have not found any reference which lists precisely the church fathers that Luther read (and was influenced by) other than Augustine. Certainly of the church fathers, Augustine was a strong influence ...
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3
votes
How does sola fide doctrine reconcile with how much David talks about his own righteousness?
Protestant leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Charles Spurgeon address these particular verses in their respective commentaries on the Psalms. All three emphasize a difference between David'...
2
votes
Is Luther really the originator of "We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone"?
To be clear (at the risk of being blunt), the thought that "faith alone saves, but never remains alone" (the great 'licet numquam sit sola" phrase) is not just attributed to Luther, but it is spoken ...
- 219
2
votes
Sola fide and Satan?
Faith alone (sola fide) is a statement of the Reformers that summarizes their doctrines of justification. It means that a person is found just, or righteous, on the basis of their faith in the ...
- 8,035
2
votes
If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
CuriousDannii's answer is quite good, and well researched. I'm adding an answer that is perhaps more conceptual and experiential.
Firstly, there's a number of reasons for the Reformation on grounds ...
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2
votes
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What is the Protestant interpretation of Philippians 3:12?
Paul is explaining that yes we are saved by grace through faith because of Christ's faithfulness (Phil 3:9), but goes on to emphasize continuing in that (Phil 3:12). He's not contradicting himself.
...
- 12.3k
2
votes
How does repentance fit into the doctrine of sola fide ("by faith alone")?
This is a summary of a lecture from my college lecturer Mark Baddeley. Sentences in quotes (but not block quotes) are from his lecture notes.
The relationship of faith and repentance
There are several ...
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2
votes
How does repentance fit into the doctrine of sola fide ("by faith alone")?
Faith works together with repentance
You cannot separate repentance from salvation-faith. Put simply, faith that leads to salvation works with repentance.
The Bible clearly teaches that repentance ...
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