Faith And Works

Question 1

What is Justification?

Answer 1

Being made righteous in the eyes of God

Question 2

What is Justification by Faith?

Answer 2

The importance of having committed faith in God’s power for humanity’s salvation

Only those who have faith can call themselves a Christian + receive salvation to become justified

Question 3

What are the issues with Justification by Faith?

Answer 3

Atheists/ people of other religions could be denied salvation- despite living morally virtuous lives

Inconsistent with actions of an omnibenevolent + omniscient God
—> would understand the extent of human effort to do good

Humans powerless- dependent on God
—> little point in working hard to behave welll if it doesnt’t mean anting in afterlife

Question 4

What is Justification by Works?

Answer 4

Salvation is dependent upon a person being good + righteous throughout their life

Those who behave wickedly do not deserve salvation/ chance to be unified with Go after death

Question 5

What are the issues with Justification by Works?

Answer 5

What is the point in being a Christian if faith in God doesn’t being salvation

Human beings have power to save themselves
—> takes away need of Gods grace + challenges salvation history
—> implies Jesus didn’t need to die for our sins- nothing more than a teacher

Question 6

Who was Martin Luther?

Answer 6

German

Roman Catholic monk

Professor of Theology

Influenced split between Protestants and Catholic Churches in reformation

Excommunicated by Popoe Leo X

Question 7

What were the two main ways to achieve justification in the Middle Ages?

Answer 7

Baptism
—> removal of original sin- performed after birth by priest

Confession and Penance
—>

Question 8

What was the role of indulgences in the Medieval church?

Answer 8

Payments for remission of penance
—> commercialisation of penance

Often abused for financial gain
—> priests + clergy selling them to the highest bidder
—> proceeds abused to fund projects from church leaders (eg. Building of Church of St Peter in Rome)

Question 9

Who was Johann Tetzel?

Answer 9

A preacher who was a commissioner for collection of indulgences

Claimed they could release souls from purgatory

Question 10

What did Luther struggle with as a monk?

Answer 10

Felt unrighteousness and separated from God
—> despite penance and religious devotion

Tried all the spiritual paths available to him
—> only intensified his disturbance

Confession + penance
—> felt he could never confess enough; felt more disconnected from God

Mysticism
—>

Question 11

What Bible verse sparked Luther’s change in understanding of justification?

Answer 11

Romans 1:17

‘The one who is righteous will live by faith’

Question 12

What was Luther’s realisation about righteousness?

Answer 12

It is a gift from God

One cannot earn righteousness through good works
—> only by faith alone (sola fide)

Question 13

Which biblical letter did Luther see as a key to understanding justification?

Answer 13

The Epistle of the Romans

Romans 5:1
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

Question 14

What does Ephesians 2:8-9 say about salvation?

Answer 14

“By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God- not the result of works”

Question 15

What does Galatians 2:16 say about works?

Answer 15

“A person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”

Question 16

What did James 2:24 say that conflicted with Luther’s view?

Answer 16

“You see that person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Question 17

What did Luther call the Book of James

Answer 17

‘Epistle of straw’ with ‘nothing of the Gospel’

Argued our deeds can never make us adequate in the eyes of God

Question 18

Why did Luther reject the Book of James?

Answer 18

He doubted its apostolic authorship

Saw it as legalistic
—> not Christ-centred

Question 19

What was the purpose of the Council of Trent (1545-1563)?

Answer 19

To respond to the Protestant reformation

Clarify Catholic doctrine
—> especially regarding justification + authority

Question 20

How did the Council of Trent define justification?

Answer 20

A process involving inner renewal and cooperation with God’s grace through faith + works

Question 21

What key doctrine of Luther did the Council of Trent reject?

Answer 21

Justification by faith alone (sola fide)

Question 22

According to the Council of Trent, can justification be lost?

Answer 22

Yes, through mortal sin

Question 23

What role does human free will play in justification according to Trent?

Answer 23

Humans must cooperate with divine grace; they are not passive

Question 24

What is the Council of Trent’s stance on scripture and Tradition?

Answer 24

They are both equally authoritative

Rejects sola scriptura

Question 25

What sacraments and practices are necessary for justification according to the Council of Trent?

Answer 25

Baptism Confession Eucharist Penance Goosd works

Question 26

What is a mortal sin in Catholic teaching?

Answer 26

A grave act that breaks the state of grace Can lead to damnation if unrepented

Question 27

What did the Council of Trent say about assurance of Salvation?

Answer 27

We cannot know for certain that we are saved but should have hopeful confidence

Question 28

What did E.P. Sanders argue in Paul and Palestinian Judaism?

Answer 28

Judaism was not legalistic but based on covenantal nomism Grace followed by law keeping

Question 29

What is covenantal nomism?

Answer 29

The view that God elects by grace and gives law to maintain the covenant

Question 30

What did Sanders claim about Paul’s criticism of the Law?

Answer 30

Paul opposed its exclusivity, not legalism It excluded Gentiles + led to boasting

Question 31

How does Sanders describe early Christianity’s view of justification?

Answer 31

As entering the covenant though faith + baptism Maintained through good works

Question 32

How did Sanders say Paul saw justification through Christ?

Answer 32

As a new covenant available to all by grace Requiring faith + leading to moral renewal

Question 33

How did Luther and Trent differ in their views of faith and works?

Answer 33

Luther: Faith alone justifies. Trent: Justification requires both faith and works.

Question 34

How do Protestants view good works in relation to salvation?

Answer 34

Good works follow salvation but do not earn it.

Question 35

How does Sanders critique Luther’s reading of Judaism?

Answer 35

He argues Luther misunderstood Judaism as legalistic, ignoring its covenantal nature.

Question 36

What is the Tridentine view of justification?

Answer 36

A cooperative process of renewal involving both grace and human effort.

Question 37

What is justification in Catholic teaching?

Answer 37

A transformation of both status and nature through grace, sacraments, and obedience.