"Justification by Faith Alone"

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Keywords God, Christianity, Christ, doubt, Martin Luther

The act of having true faith in Christ is enough justification in Luther's mind to be a Christian. He uses Biblical excerpts to prove this doctrine of "Justification by Faith Alone." Luther identifies with Paul from Romans 10, "for man believes with his heart and so is justified." (10) Accordingly, if only faith can justify the faith of a Christian, then no outer work needs to be performed to justify one's Christianity. The only action that makes you less Christian is when you begin to doubt your faith and start questioning Christ's divinity. Faith in Christ is so strong that it is considered to be the "perfect fulfillment of the law, will fill believers with so great a righteousness that they will need nothing more to become righteous." (10)

The Word of God further backs up Luther's doctrine. This is portrayed most obviously when Luther again recites Sacred Scripture, "If you wish to fulfil the law and not covet, as the law demands, come, believe in Christ in whom grace, righteousness, peace, liberty, and all things are promised to you.

Martin Luther, commemorated on February 18 Evangel...

English: On the Jews and Their Lies (old german: V...

Martin Luther, author of the text of Christ lag in...

If you believe, you shall have all things; if you do not believe, you shall lack all things." (11-12) Furthermore, Luther adds that faith is enough since most of the commandments are meant to teach us what we are incapable of doing. For instance, the commandment "You shall not covet" is impossible to obey. These commandments simply show man their imperfections and to further fortify the glory of what Christ was capable of.

In addition, faith alone makes the Word of God effective. Faith is the only way that the Word of God is preserved. Thus, "it is clear that, as the soul needs only the Word of God for its life and righteousness, so it is justified...

Reviews of: ""Justification by Faith Alone"":

Thanks for an interesting discussion of faith. One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ephesians for in it we read, "By grace are ye saved through faith...." Of course, the Bible also teaches us that faith without works is dead. Inspiring work!

I read your paper, and I would like to pose a thought to you. If doing good deeds for others does not make you more of a christian than does sinning make you less of a Christian?

Yes faith is a huge part of Christianity, but what we do and how we live our lives is too. If we do not act as Christians than how will others know we are Christians? Some Christians even deepen their faith through good deeds. If we practice faith inwardly in silence then how can we share our Faith? How can we express our Faith? How can we grow in faith?

"When man learns that righteousness comes from within his inner self, he will realize that he needs Christ, who suffered for all of mankind"

I don't really understand this statement. The only way that man can learn that righteousness comes from within his inner self is if he knows Christ. Because Christ is true righteousness.

I know you mean well, but reading your essay frustrated me. As Christians we need to live as Christians, we have to strive to be Christ-like, represent Christ as best we can. Follow his commandments as best we can. It almost sounded as though you believe we should disregard those commandments. Which is ridiculous. The ten commandments are not impossible to obey, but we as humans are so weak that we can not handle temptations and continuously sin, breaking those commandments.

As for Martin Luther... Thats a whole subject of it's own. Yes the Church was messed up, but breaking away from it was not the answer. Plus Lutheran's issues with the Blessed Mother, that I don't get, because I heard Martin Luther had a strong devotion to her.

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"Justification by Faith Alone"

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Reviews of: ""Justification by Faith Alone"":

Justification by Faith

Luther

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