Faith and salvation

Faith Alone: Protestant Emphasis

The Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, emphasized salvation through faith alone (sola fide), arguing that humans cannot earn salvation through their own works. Luther prioritized passages that stressed belief and trust in God, seeing faith as the essential response to God’s grace. For example, Romans 4 and 5 highlight that righteousness is credited through faith, not human effort. Similarly, John’s Gospel and Acts 16 emphasize belief as the foundation for a relationship with God, reinforcing the idea that salvation is a divine gift and cannot be earned.

Challenges from Scripture

However, some New Testament passages challenge the notion of faith alone. Luther himself dismissed the Epistle of James as an “epistle of straw,” because James 2:24 explicitly states, “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Other passages emphasize the necessity of good deeds as a visible expression of faith. For instance, Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, presents judgement where deeds determine reward or punishment. The Sermon on the Mount instructs believers to “let your light shine before others… so that they may see your good works”(Matthew 5:16), while Acts 26 and Romans suggest that repentance and law-abiding actions are part of God’s plan for salvation. Hebrews notes that “by faith Abraham obeyed”, showing that faith and action are interconnected.

Council Decisions and Theological Responses

The early Church recognized the tension between faith and works. The Council of Jerusalem decreed that Christians were not required to follow all Mosaic laws, except those directly tied to ritual and ceremonial practice. Later, the Council of Trent (1545–1563) clarified that initial justification is by grace, but ongoing obedience and works are necessary for progressive salvation. Protestant responses, however, continued to defend Luther’s position, maintaining that grace is a free gift and cannot be earned.

Grace and Human Response

II Corinthians 5:19 illustrates the Christian understanding of grace: “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” While salvation is granted through Christ’s atonement, Christians are expected to respond through good works. In this sense, failing to act ethically or charitably is seen as failing to respond fully to God’s grace. E.P. Sanders’ concept of “covenantal nomism” similarly highlights that covenantal obedience is the proper human response to God’s promises, while atonement is available for transgressions.

Balancing Faith and Works

In conclusion, Christian perspectives on salvation vary. Protestant theology emphasizes faith as the sole requirement for salvation, citing passages such as Romans 4-5 and John’s Gospel. Catholic teaching, influenced by councils such as Trent, stresses that while salvation originates in grace, faith must be lived out through good works. Overall, the interplay between faith, grace, and ethical living reflects the biblical emphasis that salvation is both a divine gift and a call to active discipleship.