Theme 2D- Faith and Works

Question 1

Define absolution in a religious context.

Answer 1

Absolution is a declaration by a priest that a person’s sins have been forgiven.

Question 2

Explain the concept of salvation.

Answer 2

Salvation refers to deliverance from God’s judgement of sin.

Question 3

Describe the term ‘covenantal nomism’.

Answer 3

Covenantal nomism is the belief that God’s chosen election of the Jews as a chosen nation is contingent upom their obedience to his commandments.

Question 4

What does the term ‘rabbinic’ refer to?

Answer 4

Rabbinic relates to the teachings and interpretations of Jewish rabbis.

Question 5

Summarise the message of Romans 5:1.

Answer 5

Romans 5:1 states that since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Question 6

What does Galatians 2:16 teach about justification?

Answer 6

Galatians 2:16 teaches that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Question 7

Explain the significance of Ephesians 2:8-9 in relation to salvation.

Answer 7

Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasises that salvation is by grace through faith, and it is a gift from God, not based on works.

Question 8

How does James 2:24 view the relationship between faith and actions?

Answer 8

James 2:24 indicates that a person is considered righteous by what they do, not by faith alone.

Question 9

Describe Martin Luther’s role in the Protestant Reformation.

Answer 9

Martin Luther was a German professor of theology and a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, known for rejecting several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Question 10

Explain Luther’s view on indulgences.

Answer 10

Luther strongly disputed the Catholic view on indulgences, which alowed freedom from God’s punishment for sin to be purchased with money, and he proposed an academic discusiion on the practice in his 95 Theses.

Question 11

How did Luther respond to the demands of Pope Leo X and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V?

Answer 11

Luther refused to renounce all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521, resulting in his excommunication by the Pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor.

Question 12

Define justification by faith according to Martin Luther.

Answer 12

Luther taught that salvation and eternal life are not earned by good deeds but are recieved as a free gift of God’s grace through the believer’s faith in Jesus Christ as redeemer from sin.

Question 13

What impact did Luther’s translation of the Bible have on German culture?

Answer 13

Luther’s translation of the Bible into the German vernacular made it more accessible to the laity, significantly impacting both the church and German culture.

Question 14

Do you know the significance of the 95 Theses?

Answer 14

The 95 theses, written by Luther in 1517, challenged the practice of indulgences and sparked widespread debate and reform within the church.

Question 15

Explain the consequences of Luther’s refusal to recant his writings.

Answer 15

Luther’s refusal to recant led to his excommunication by the Pope and his condemnation as an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor, marking a pivotal moment in the Reformation.

Question 16

Describe the theological shift introduced by Martin Luther.

Answer 16

Luther introduced the theological shift that salvation is a gift from God recieved through faith, rather than something earned through good works.

Question 17

Describe the concept of justification in Christian theology.

Answer 17

Justification refers to being made righteous in the sight of God, a key theological issue that distinguishes Catholic and Protestant beliefs.

Question 18

Explain the role of baptism in the process of justification according to the Roman Catholic Church.

Answer 18

Baptism is viewed as the first and necessary step in justification, washing away original sin and bringing a person into the community of believers, allowing them to be ‘born again’ as a child of God.

Question 19

Define the significance of the Eucharist in relation to justification.

Answer 19

The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is considered important for justification as it is believed to provide spiritual nourishment and grace necessary for living a Christian life.

Question 20

How doe Catholic and Protestant views on justification differ?

Answer 20

Catholic beliefs link justification with the sacraments, while Protestant beliefs emphasise that righteousness comes from faith and not through the performance of deeds.

Question 21

What is the relationship between righteous deeds and justification according to Luther?

Answer 21

Luther stated that we do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds; rather, having been made righteous, we perform righteous deeds.

Question 22

Explain the importance of sacraments in the Catholic understanding of justification.

Answer 22

In Catholicism, sacraments like baptism, eucharist, and penance are essential for justification, as they are seen as means through which grace in conferred.

Question 23

Describe the process of being ‘born again’ in the context of baptism.

Answer 23

Being ‘born again’ refers to the transformation that occurs through baptism, where an individual is cleansed of original sin and initiated the Christian faith.

Question 24

How does the concept of grace relate to justification in Catholic theology?

Answer 24

In Catgolic theology, grace is the divine assistance given by God for regeneration and sanctification, which is essential for justification.

Question 25

Describe the significance of receiving the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

Answer 25

Receiving the body and vblood of Christ spiritually nourishes and strenghtens the believer's faith, deeping their bond with Christ and the Church, and aiding in the process of justification.

Question 26

Explain the process of Penance in the context of the sacrament.

Answer 26

Penance involves sincere contrition for sins, confession to a priest, satisfaction through prayers or acts of charity, and absolution by the priest, restoring a person to a state of grace after sinning post-baptism.

Question 27

How does regular participation in the Eucharist affect a believer's relationship with Christ?

Answer 27

Regular participation in the Eucharist is believed to deepen the bond between the believer and Christ, enhancing their spiritual connection and faith.

Question 28

Define the role of Penance in achieving righteousness after baptism.

Answer 28

Penance is seen as a means to restore righteousness by allowing forgiveness of sins committed after baptism, with justification viewed as a reward for good works.

Question 29

Do believers need to participate in Penance after baptism?

Answer 29

Yes, believers participate in Penance to seek forgiveness for sins committed after baptism, which is essential for restoring their state of grace.

Question 30

Explain the concept of justification in relation to good works and Penance.

Answer 30

Justification is viewed as an appropriate reward for good works, which can be achieved through the process of Penance after committing sins.

Question 31

Describe the relationship between purgatory and the doctrine of penance in the Roman Catholic Church.

Answer 31

Purgatory is closely associated with the doctrine of penance, as the Church teaches that Christians who die without adequate penance for their sins must spend time in purgatory to complete that penance before being accepted into heaven.

Question 32

Explain the concept of purgatory as understood by the Roman Catholic Church.

Answer 32

Purgatory is viewed as a place of suffering where the souls of believers expiate their sins, completing the necessary penance before entering heaven.

Question 33

Do sinners achieve salvation through good work according to Martin Luther's beliefs?

Answer 33

No, Martin Luther believed that sinners are not saved by good works but by faith alone, relying on God's promise of forgiveness.

Question 34

Define sola fide in the context of Martin Luther's theology.

Answer 34

Sola fide is the term used by Martin Luther to express the belief that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, emphasising absolute dependence of God's promise.

Question 35

How did Martin Luther's personal experiences influence his theological conclusions?

Answer 35

Martin Luther's deep sense of sinfulness and anxiety for his soul's salvation led him to conclude that justification is a gift from God and that salvation comes through faith alone.

Question 36

Explain the significance of Paul's words in Romans 1:17 in relation to Luther's beliefs.

Answer 36

Paul's words, 'the one who is righteous will live by faith,' were foundational for Luther's belief that righteousness and salvation come through faith, not through works.

Question 37

What was Martin Luther's view on the necessity of penance for salvation?

Answer 37

Martin Luther believed that penance was not necessary for salvation, as he emphasised that slavation is a gift from God recieved through faith alone.

Question 38

Describe the emotional state of Martin Luther during his spiritual journey.

Answer 38

Martin Luther experienced deep spiritual despair and anxiety for his soul's salvation, feeling disconnected from God despite his efforts to fulfill religious requirements.

Question 39

Describe the concept of justification of faith as presented in Romans 5:1

Answer 39

Romans 5:1 states that 'we are justified by faith', indicating that faith is the means through which individuals are made right with God.

Question 40

Explain the significance of Galatians 2:16 in the context of justification.

Answer 40

Galatians 2:16 emphasises that a person is justified not by the works of law but through faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting the central role of faith over legalistic actions.

Question 41

How does Ephesisans 2:8-9 contribute to the understanding of salvation?

Answer 41

Teaches that salvation is a gift from God, recieved through faith, and not a result of human works, ensuring that no one can boast about their own efforts.

Question 42

Define the perspective of the Epistle of James regarding faith and works.

Answer 42

The Epistle of James asserts that 'faith without works is dead', suggesting that genuine faith must be accompanied by actions, implying that works are necessary for true faith.

Question 43

Do the teachings of James and Paul on faith and works conflict?

Answer 43

While James emphasises the necessity of works alongside faith, Paul focuses on faith as the means of justification, but they can be harmonised by understanding their differing definitions of faith.

Question 44

Explain how James views 'faith' in relation to genuine belief.

Answer 44

James uses 'faith' to refer to mere belief that lacks deep change, which he considers insufficient for salvation.

Question 45

How does St. Paul's view of faith differ from that of James?

Answer 45

St. Paul views faith as inherently transformative, suggesting that genuine faith will naturally lead to good works after a person is saved.

Question 46

What is the implication of the phrase 'not the result of works' in Ephesians 2:8-9?

Answer 46

This phrase implies that human efforts or good deeds do not contribute to salvation, reinforcing the idea that it is solely a divine gift.

Question 47

Discuss the relationship between faith and good works according to the harmonised view of James and Paul.

Answer 47

The harmonised view suggests that true faith, as understood by Paul, will result in good works, aligning with James' assertion that faith must be active and demonstrated through actions.

Question 48

Describe Luther's view on faith and its significance.

Answer 48

Luther viewed faith as vital transforming power and a personal relationship with God.

Question 49

Explain the practice of selling indulgences in the context of Luther's time.

Answer 49

The sale of indulgences involved issuing a piece of paper by the Pope that granted remission from penance for a payment, with proceeds often used for church construction.

Question 50

How did Luther respond to the sale of indulgences in 1517?

Answer 50

Luther applied his new theory of salvation to the practice of selling indulgences, highlightiing it as an abuse within the church.

Question 51

Define what an indulgence was during Luther's era.

Answer 51

An indulgence was a document issued by the Pope that granted remission from penance in exchange for a payment.

Question 52

What was the financial motivation behind the sale of indulgences?

Answer 52

The proceeds from the sale of indulgences were used to fund the building of the Church of St Peter in Rome and to offset costs for church officials.

Question 53

Who was Johann Tetzel and what role did he play in the sale of indulgences?

Answer 53

Johann Tetzel was a Dominican monk who acted as a commissioner for the collection of indulgences and exaggerated their benefits.

Question 54

Explain the claims made by Johann Tetzel regarding indulgences.

Answer 54

Tetzel claimed that indulgences could not only free the living from penance but also release the souls of the dead from purgatory for a fee.

Question 55

What was a famous jingle associated with Johann Tetzel's promotion of indulgences?

Answer 55

The jingle attributed to Tetzel was: 'As soon as a coin in the coffer rings/the soul from purgatory springs'.

Question 56

Discuss the distortion of Catholic teaching related to indulgences as noted in the content.

Answer 56

The selling of indulgences to shorten time in purgatory was seen as a distortion of Catholic teaching, promoted by Johann Tetzel.

Question 57

Identify the financial beneficiaries of the indulgence sales in Wittenburg.

Answer 57

In Wittenburg, half of the money from indulgence sales went to the Cardinal Archbishop of Mainz to cover his appointment costs.

Question 58

Describe the purpose of the Council of Trent.

Answer 58

The Council of Trent was held by the Roman Catholic Church to consider its response to the reformation and address key theological questions

Question 59

Explain the relationship between justification and human effort according to the Council of Trent.

Answer 59

The Council concluded that justification is not solely a gift from God; individuals must also become righteous through their efforts.

Question 60

Define the role of good works in justification as per the Council of Trent.

Answer 60

Good works are required as a condition for ultimate justification, but they do not merit justification on their own.

Question 61

How does the Council of Trent view the relationship between faith and good works?

Answer 61

The Council posits that neither faith nor works can merit justification, but both are necessary for salvation.

Question 62

What are the two phases of justification according to the Council of Trent?

Answer 62

The first phase involves righteousness mediated through baptism as God's gift of grace, while the second phase involves increasing righteousness through the Eucharist, penance, and good works.

Question 63

Explain the concept of assurance of salvation as discussed in the Council of Trent.

Answer 63

The Council suggests a middle position between absolute assurance of salvation and despair, allowing for a relative certainty of justification.

Question 64

What is the significance of the sacraments in relation to justification according to the Council of Trent?

Answer 64

The Council emphasises that the sacraments play a crucial role in the process of justification, particularly in the second phase of increasing righteousness.

Question 65

How does the Council of Trent address the question of whether people can know they are justified?

Answer 65

The Council indicates that people can have a relative certainty of their justification, but not absolute assurance.

Question 66

Summarise the Council of Trent's conclusion regarding salvation.

Answer 66

The Council concluded that while initial justification is by grace, individuals must cooperate with God's grace and perform good works for progressive salvation.

Question 67

Describe the biblical basis for the doctrine of justification according to Protestant criticism of the Council of Trent.

Answer 67

Protestant criticism cites 2 Corinthians 5:19, which states that in Christ, God reconciles the world to himslef by not counting their trespasses against them, indicating that justification is a declarative act of God's grace.

Question 68

Explain the contradiction between the Council of Trent's teachings and biblical teachings regarding good works and grace.

Answer 68

The Council of Trent teaches that justified individuals can acquire supernatural rewards through good works, which contradicts the biblical view that grace is a gift and that good works do not merit grace.

Question 69

How does the Council of Trent view eternal life in relation to good works?

Answer 69

The Council of Trent asserts that eternal life is a recompense for good works and merit, which contradicts the biblical teaching that eternal life is a gift from God available to believers.

Question 70

Define the role of good works in the context of salvation according to Protestant beliefs.

Answer 70

In Protestant belief, good works are not necessary for salvation; rather, they are a natural outcome of having already received salvation.

Question 71

What is the significance of John 6:29 in the discussion of works and salvation?

Answer 71

John 6:29 emphasizes that the only 'work' necessary for salvation is to believe, highlighting the importance of faith over works.

Question 72

Summarise the key quote from the Council of Trent regarding justification and faith.

Answer 72

The key quote states that if anyone claims that only those who believe themselves justified are truly justified, and that justification is achieved by faith alone, they should be anathema.

Question 73

Do Protestant beliefs support the idea that good works are a requirement for salvation?

Answer 73

No, Protestant beliefs assert that good works are not a requirement for salvation but are a result of having received salvation.

Question 74

Explain the concept of grace as presented in the Protestant critique of the Council of Trent.

Answer 74

Grace is viewed as an unmerited gift from God, not something that can be earned through good works.

Question 75

Describe the concept of 'covenantal nomism' as proposed by E.P. Sanders.

Answer 75

Covenantal nomism is the belief in Judaism that God established a covenant of grace with the Jewish people, making them a 'chosen nation.' They maintain their status in this covenant by obeying God's commandments, where the status is a gift rather than a reward for obedience.

Question 76

Explain how Jews maintain their status in the covenant according to E.P. Sanders.

Answer 76

Jews maintain their status in the covenant by obeying God's commandments, which is necessary to uphold their special status as a chosen nation.

Question 77

Define the relationship between grace and works in the context of Sanders' view on Judaism.

Answer 77

In Sanders' view, Jews enter the covenant by grace and remain in it through works, meaning that their status is a gift from God, not earned through obedience.

Question 78

How does E.P. Sanders interpret Paul's theology in relation to covenantal nomism?

Answer 78

Sanders interprets Paul's theology as moving from solution to problem, where the solution is that God has acted to save the world through Jesus.

Question 79

What was the normative Jewish view during Paul's time according to E.P. Sanders?

Answer 79

The normative Jewish view during Paul's time, according to Sanders, was that the Jewish religion was based on covenantal nomism, where status in the covenant was maintained through obedience to God's commandments.

Question 80

Summarise the main argument of E.P. Sanders in 'Paul and Palestinian Judaism'.

Answer 80

E.P. Sanders argues that Judaism was not merely a religion of salvation by works, but rather one based on covenantal nomism, where God's grace initiated the covenant and obedience maintained the status within it.

Question 81

Discuss the significance of the covenant of grace in Sanders' view of Judaism.

Answer 81

The covenant of grace is significant in Sanders' view as it establishes the foundational belief that Jews are chosen by God, and their relationship with Him is based on grace rather than solely on their works.

Question 82

Describe the need for salvation in the context of the Mosaic law

Answer 82

The world is in need of salvation, and while God gave the Mosaic law, it is suggested that salvation comes through Jesus rather than the law.

Question 83

Explain the issue with the righteousness provided by the Mosaic law.

Answer 83

The problem with the Mosaic law was that it provided the wrong kind of righteousness, leading to exclusion of Gentiles and fostering Jewish pride in their ethnicity and election.

Question 84

Define justification according to Paul’s understanding in relation to the Mosaic law.

Answer 84

Paul understood that people are justified not through the Mosaic law but through the cross of Jesus, which is an act of God’s grace that cannot be earned.

Question 85

How does one maintain justification according to the text?

Answer 85

Justification can only be maintained when individuals respond in gratitude by keeping God’s commandments and participating mystically in Jesus.

Question 86

What role does Jesus play in the concept of Lordship as described in the content?

Answer 86

Jesus provides a new Lordship for those who participate in his death and resurrection, applicable to both Jews and Gentiles.

Question 87

Discuss the implications of the Mosaic law on the relationship between Jews and Gentiles.

Answer 87

The Mosaic law excluded Gentiles and led Jews to boast about their status as the chosen people, creating a divide between the two groups.

Question 88

How is grace related to the concept of justification in this context?

Answer 88

Justification achieved by Jesus is described as an act of God’s grace, emphasising that it is not something that can be earned by human effort.

Question 89

What is the significance of gratitude in maintaining a relationship with God according to the text?

Answer 89

Gratitude is significant as it is the response required to maintain justification, which involves keeping God’s commandments.

Question 90

Describe E.P. Sanders' view on covenantal nomism.

Answer 90

Covenantal nomism is the belief that one's place in God's plan is determined by the covenant, which requires obedience to its commandments while also providing means for atonement for transgressions.

Question 91

Explain the criticism regarding the use of rabbinic sources in Sanders' view.

Answer 91

Critics argue that Sanders uses non-biblical, rabbinic sources to override biblical teachings, although Sanders contends that he uses these sources to interpret, not override, biblical teachings.

Question 92

How does Sanders' view address contradictory evidence regarding Jewish beliefs?

Answer 92

Critics claim that Sanders explains away contradictory evidence, such as the presence of Jewish beliefs in righteousness by works in rabbinic literature from Paul's time.

Question 93

Define the issue of self-righteousness in the context of Sanders' view.

Answer 93

The problem of self-righteousness refers to individuals who consider themselves morally superior to others due to their strict adherence to God's commandments, a concern that Sanders' view fails to adequately address.

Question 94

What is a key quote that summarises Sanders' view on covenantal nomism?

Answer 94

A key quote is: 'Briefly put, covenantal nomism is the view that one’s place in God’s plan is established on the basis of the covenant and that the covenant requires as the proper response of man his obedience to its commandments, while providing means of atonement for transgression'.