Can all the "faith alone" Protestants read James 2:14-26 and answer why you still believe in "faith alone"?
598301
I'm with you. We need both faith and works.\n\nThe works God is talking about is not a Brownie Points system of "earning your way into heaven." But you cannot sustain faith for very long without true works. Faith dies without the fire of those works. However, God sees people as individuals, so there is no comparing with your neighbor to see who did "the most" or who is "most worthy." It just does not work like that.
105934
Jesus had to die so that we could all be saved.  If he didnt then no one could go to heaven because no one is perfect except him.  (Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit )(Gal. 3:13)  Faith and deeds are one in hand, According to James, (But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds.\n"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.) James 2:14-25
536904
Remember that the Catholic church canonized the bible which had those books in it before the protestant reformation. Catholics didn't add to it, Luther(and others) took them out! Those of you who swear by the King James bible are missing out on several books that are in the Old Testament and of value. We (Catholics) are not "on to something". We just have the complete Bible (and have all along). \nTo my Protestant brothers, check the history of the bible, and see what I'm saying!\nGod bless you for asking this question.
587438
QUESTION: Why did the first Protestant, Martin Luther, take out from the bible Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation, plus 7 books from the Old Testament—and put them in an appendix without page numbers?\n\nANSWER: Luther deleted those 7 books because they did not suit his doctrines.  He called the book of James “an epistle of straw…”.  The argument that the Jews did not accept them as scripture is based on the fact that they were not written in Hebrew.  That was never the criteria for the 27 New Testament books set forth by the Catholic Church that Protestants accept. Apostolic Teaching was the primary measurement for proving inspiration, not some mans opinions 1100 later.  By accepting Jewish standards for what should be in the Bible, you are accepting an authority that rejected Christ and the message of the New Testament. \n\nQUESTION: Also, why do some Protestants accept some of the 7 sacraments while others only accept only 1 or 2 of them while still others will reject them all?\n\nANSWER: By doing so they diminish the importance of the Incarnation, and the sacramental principle of the Incarnation. When God became man, physical matter was elevated to new heights.  Matter is not evil, as the heretics have taught. Physical matter can be used to convey grace, as “things” were used in the New Testament for healing. Bread, wine, oil and water are found throughout the Old Testament as outward signs of God’s actions. These same elements are used by the Church in the administration of the Seven Sacraments. The Bible shows they were instituted by Christ. \n\nQUESTION: Why do some Protestants insist that the Sabbath be observed on Saturday while other Protestants insist that it is Sunday while still other Protestants will claim that people don't have to go to Church?\n\nANSWER: The “Saturday” Protestants are mostly cults who are anti-Protestant. Christians who say you don’t have to go to a church are socially dysfunctional, or the churches they have been in don't have Real Food, and Real Drink.
918206
Wow a Christian using scripture in their thoughts on dogma- novel idea that I hope continues. I totally agree- Ephesians 2 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. Kinda hard to argue with that scripture too huh? But we must see-as James points out- that good works are a result of our faith. Not that  we need to do them to get into Heaven-but if we follow Christ- and He was a servant to all- then we will do the same. Great point!
882329
Who says we are saved by faith alone!\n\nRevelations, the final word in the Bible, says there is a Book of Life and some will NOT be in that book.  There is NO warranty Jews (the Chosen) or Christians will automatically be in that book.\n\nHence GOD does decide by your works in life.
1057360
When you are able to think, you do not need faith. I do not follow blindly. I don't need any other person to explain things to me. Mainly ones that claim we all are inbred, coming from two original people, or somebody claiming that I must do as they say and give money or burn forever. There is no proof of god, only inconsistent explanations that contradict themselves.
546062
That answer would probably be best answered according to your belief. Where there is an absence of faith, no miracle can be believed hence no miracle can occur.
616414
True to the first sentence.  I disagree with the second.  There no "one book" that will make everyone think.  It's different for each of us.  \n\nIn addition, from what I've experienced, many who read the bible faithfully tend to say they don't question their faith.  If you read a book and you're not supposed to question it, doesn't this mean you're not thinking too much??
487253
No faith was needed to believe in god? If you have read the bible I ask you who did god appear to? Thats right, he appeared to those who WROTE THE BIBLE. Those people were called prophets. God communicated to them the needs of the people at all times. Those prophets had to teach and testify to the people. Hardly anyone saw God.\n\nNow if one guy see's God and tell's thousands of other people he exists and what he wants us to do, those thousands of people who didn't see him require alot of FAITH to respond.\n\nMost christians want to believe that since we have a few pages of christs teachings, and few hundred pages of his apostles teachines, we know or can know, everything through study, the bible is perfect.\nI don't believe that, I think thats a rediculous, false believe. If you study the history of the bible you'll find that also. I do love the bible however, it teaches great things, but not everything, not even close.\n\nThe true church will have the same organization of the early church, apostles, prophets and teachers. Those apostls and prophets are the only ones who can communicate to god and recieve revelations for our generation.
815312
Well, here's what He did with me: He waited for those 'well-respected Christians' to fail.  And fail they did, which taught me that God alone is trustworthy.  \nNot that I'm perfect now--nobody is--but I take everything people say with a grain of salt and measure it against Scripture, rather than measuring Scripture against the words of men.  HTH.
916341
Ephesians 2:8-9..."For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast".\nWorks follow naturally as evidence of salvation, not to obtain it.
891647
Faith in Jesus without bible is a good idea, but then what do you believe?\n\nBeing good, turn the other cheek, etc?\nWhat about gay people, athiests, single mothers, black people, etc, without the bible and the church how will you grow a healthy hate for these people?\n\nhttp://flushaholybook.com
671802
I can't help you with the second part, but here is my fave passage:\n\nJohn 3:16\n\n"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him may have everlasting life."\n\n-Bible\n\n.:Lark:.
685505
Absolutely yes. But WHICH church? It has to be one that has stuck with "the faith once delivered," but the point is that believers are NOT TO GO IT ALONE, interpreting the Bible any way they wish, proceeding as the individual thinks best. We need one another! I wrote an article about it after alot of soul searching (and Bible study) about what church really means:
296673
For those who believe, the Bible is a living book.  Which means that the words today are as true as they were yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  When you find new understanding of the scripture it is a little of both going on.  God knows that no one can understand everything all at one time, and he knows that we all learn in different ways.  When scripture messages are "revealed" to you, that is a revelation that God sent to you in a way that you needed to understand it at a time you needed to understand it. Now if you interpret, and it is not God's will, he will find a way to "reveal" that too.  Because if you believe and are truly faithful, God will always provide you with the tools and the information you need.  So, even if you interpret (yourself) and it is a wrong interpretation because you got in the way of your own understanding, God will reveal it to you when you need it.  That is why being a Christian is a journey.  If we all had the ability to read, understand, and apply absolutely everything, then the journey would be over. So, sometimes you will be confused, sometimes you will stumble...but if you are a believer and you ask...he will pick you up when you fall. Just be open and accepting of your revelations as they come and keep studying. Good luck and God Bless.
786341
Excellent question!  I truly think that it is because modern American Protestantism is the new Pelagianism - and it is failing miserably...no matter how much they preach about "Grace" and "Faith" - the whole idea about "I am saved now - I don't have to work on sanctification" is BOGUS...and not at all what the Scriptures or the Apostolic Fathers teach.  These neo-con "Evangelicals" would have lasted about a nanosecond during the persecution of Nero or Diocletian.  None of this surprises me...."All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."