Faith and Works

What is God’s grace?

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

What did the Middle Ages believe in?

Justification by works.

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

What was the Middle Age belief about purgatory?

If someone died without doing enough penance for sins = purgatory

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

What were indulgences?

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.

What did Martin Luther believe in?

Justification by faith alone

(Sola Fide)

How did Luther feel about justification by works?

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

Confessed all his sins but still felt lost from God

What scripture did Luther base his belief on justification by faith on?

Paul in Romans 1:17

What does Paul say?

“the one who is righteous will live by faith”

What other scripture shows justification by faith?

Romans 5:1

“we are justified by faith”

What scripture opposes Luther’s views?

James 2:24

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

How did Luther oppose the Roman Catholic Church?

31st October, 1517

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

What did Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses spark?

Protestant Revolution

When was the Council of Trent held?

1545-1563

What was the Council of Trent’s response to Luther?

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

What was the Protestant criticism of the Council of Trent (grace)?

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

What was the Protestant criticism of the Council of Trent (eternal life)?

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

What did E.P. Sander’s believe about Luther’s views?

Luther interpreted Paul’s ideas about justification incorrectly.

What did E.P. Sanders believe about covenantal nomism?

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.

Why did E.P. Sanders believe this changed Paul’s meaning in Romans?

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

What does E.P. Sanders therefore believe about justification?

Justification happens by faith and works.