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The Reformation’s Dirty Little Secret
An Unfortunate Consequence of Good Theology
The relationship between faith, works, and salvation is among the thorniest questions in the Western Church. When the Reformation declared (among other things) that salvation was based on Faith Alone, it made massive waves in Europe. This tenet, which is a core part of not only the Reformation but the post-Reformation waves of evangelical organizations that came after, is theologically sound and correct. But I worry about some of the impact I’ve seen from a poor understanding of Faith and Works, particularly in the US.
Now, let’s start off with something really basic here: it is accepted by virtually all practicing Christian sects today that Jesus came to save humanity. From our sins, from death, from Hell. Jesus came to save. Human beings are baptized and may perform other rites to be able to receive that salvation. The Church exists to facilitate salvation by administering rites, leading worship, and preaching to the faithful. They also do so by trying to spread the message of Jesus and thus save more people. This is all massively reductive, and while I’m sure people can and will point of groups and trains of thought that are exceptions, I’m dealing in generalities here for a reason.