I am currently reading the "RCUS report on justification and the current controversy." I have a question. Please don't get into the Shepherd controversy. [i:4f73fdc9fa]I am just using a quote from somebody involved to ask a question.[/i:4f73fdc9fa]
Hughs says attacking Shepherd:
[quote:4f73fdc9fa]To speak of a necessity of these good works for our salvation ... is to assign to them that very justifying status as works of the law which Paul has repudiated.[/quote:4f73fdc9fa]
I know this is not what he is really attacking, but: [b:4f73fdc9fa]What is wrong with saying that good works are needed for [i:4f73fdc9fa]final[/i:4f73fdc9fa] salvation[/b:4f73fdc9fa], [i:4f73fdc9fa]if[/i:4f73fdc9fa] we assume that all true faith produces good works (thus we must have [i:4f73fdc9fa]true[/i:4f73fdc9fa] faith)?
Is it more correct to say that sanctification is the cause of good works and not justification itself; so, what James is really saying is that we must be sanctified, positionally and progressively, before our [i:4f73fdc9fa]true[/i:4f73fdc9fa] faith brings forth its fruit in works, thus making that faith fulfilled? I mean, thats not damaging the fact that justification is not by good works; because sanctification is the cause of good works. Justification itself would still have nothing to do with works, only sanctification...
So, one must have true faith [i:4f73fdc9fa]and be sanctified[/i:4f73fdc9fa] by it (or rather, upon it) to be just... right? Sanctification is a seperate act of God. But we need both faith and what comes from faith (really saying that we need 'true' faith). So, one must be justified and sanctified to be justified? [b:4f73fdc9fa]I assume that James is thinking, "how can you be justified without being sanctified?"[/b:4f73fdc9fa]
Please help me! Am I way off?
Paul
[Edited on 6-3-2004 by rembrandt]
Hughs says attacking Shepherd:
[quote:4f73fdc9fa]To speak of a necessity of these good works for our salvation ... is to assign to them that very justifying status as works of the law which Paul has repudiated.[/quote:4f73fdc9fa]
I know this is not what he is really attacking, but: [b:4f73fdc9fa]What is wrong with saying that good works are needed for [i:4f73fdc9fa]final[/i:4f73fdc9fa] salvation[/b:4f73fdc9fa], [i:4f73fdc9fa]if[/i:4f73fdc9fa] we assume that all true faith produces good works (thus we must have [i:4f73fdc9fa]true[/i:4f73fdc9fa] faith)?
Is it more correct to say that sanctification is the cause of good works and not justification itself; so, what James is really saying is that we must be sanctified, positionally and progressively, before our [i:4f73fdc9fa]true[/i:4f73fdc9fa] faith brings forth its fruit in works, thus making that faith fulfilled? I mean, thats not damaging the fact that justification is not by good works; because sanctification is the cause of good works. Justification itself would still have nothing to do with works, only sanctification...
So, one must have true faith [i:4f73fdc9fa]and be sanctified[/i:4f73fdc9fa] by it (or rather, upon it) to be just... right? Sanctification is a seperate act of God. But we need both faith and what comes from faith (really saying that we need 'true' faith). So, one must be justified and sanctified to be justified? [b:4f73fdc9fa]I assume that James is thinking, "how can you be justified without being sanctified?"[/b:4f73fdc9fa]
Please help me! Am I way off?
Paul
[Edited on 6-3-2004 by rembrandt]