Ep.137 - Contrast and Comparisons: Grace or Grit - Do we earn our way or receive it?

What do we mean by “salvation by works”? What does Scripture say? What did the early christians believe? What about the medieval church? And how did the turbulent waters of the reformation confront that? Historically the good works that we do, the way we behave, has always been considered vitally and fundamentally important, irrespective of whatever denomination or persuasion one might represent be it hardcore Protestant or entrenched Roman Catholic.
Yet the controversy has persisted as to what role they play precisely in ones acceptance before God. Do our good deeds win us anything with God? Are they meritorious in any way? Could they be understood to be determinative, especially in regards our eternal state! If some imagine good works may not immediately be significant to our gaining favour with God, will they be ultimately?

In this second episode of our new series looking at contrasts and comparisons both theological and practical; the Curious team reflect on the age old dilemma of works and faith. Why are good works important? What role do they play? How are we to correctly understand their role in our ultimate salvation? Join the team this week as they get stuck into this perennial dilemma.


Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers a cross-section of insight into this weeks theme…
Faith and Works - TheGospelCoalition.org
Catholic Belief on Faith and Works - Catholic.com
Will We Finally be Saved by Faith Alone? - DesiringGod.org


What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a couple of recommendations especially for this episode;

(Please be aware. Theology for the Curious do not endorse everything taught in the books they recommend. Often for the sake of balance and contrast, they will recommend opposing views to offer balance that may or may not reflect their own particular opinion.)

R. C. Sproul — Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification 

Robert A Sungenis — Not by Faith Alone: A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification

Thomas Schreiner — Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification

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