In response to my previous post, I have had a very spirited debate between myself and a Roman Catholic apologist (off site). It has been interesting to say the least. At this point we have responded back and forth many, many times. It has been quite an experience. The topic has been a wide-ranging discussion on the place that ‘good works’ has in a sinner’s salvation, or to be even more specific, justification.
After going back and forth in a several-times-a-day exchange, I have been pressed that I should back off my assertion that works have no saving merit in a sinner’s acceptance by God, because, this person said, “Wasn’t I aware that the great differences on this subject between Romanism and Protestantism is all due to a misunderstanding of the terms?”. In other words, the whole Protestant Reformation was – (I’m not joking about this) – due to the fact that Martin Luther misunderstood the proper definitions of salvation / justification!
So all those papal bulls against the Reformers, all those tens of thousands of martyrs, all the disharmony over the past 450 years is because we Protestants just don’t understand terminology??? Wow. You would think that someone would have just pulled one of those ignorant Reformers aside and explained that to them. But that is getting off track.
The argument this Roman Catholic person makes is this:
1. Both Roman Catholics and Protestants agree that faith is absolutely necessary for salvation / justification
2. Both agree that God commands us to do good works.
Therefore … we agree! Problem solved. Let’s all put the past behind us and hold hands and walk off into the sunset as best friends.
Oh. Wait a minute. It seems it isn’t as simple as that. There was, you see a little sticking point in our long correspondence. It was when I brought up the little word that the Reformers made such a big deal of – sola. Alone. That changes everything. On that point there was no yielding whatsoever by my friendly (most of the time, at least) Roman Catholic apologist.
Those ’solas’ were important in the days of the Reformation. And they are no less so today. And unless we want to go down as traitors to our Christian heritage, we can never lose them in our theology, and the application of it in our daily lives.
Salvation as proclaimed by the Scriptures Alone, given by Grace alone, appropriated through Faith alone, found in Christ Alone, and all for the glory of God Alone. Amen.