Sola fide: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:27, 23 June 2007

Revision as of 09:30, 23 June 2007

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== Origin of the slogan ==

[[Martin Luther]] elevated ''sola fide'' to the principal cause of the [[Protestant Reformation]], the rallying cry of the Protestant cause, and the chief distinction between [[Protestant]] Christianity and [[Roman Catholicism]]. [[John Calvin]], also a proponent of this doctrine, taught that "every one who would obtain the righteousness of Christ must renounce his own." According to Calvin, it is only because the sinner is able to obtain the good standing of the Son of God, through faith in him, and union with him, that sinners have any hope of pardon from, acceptance by, and peace with God. While this precise terminology—"by faith alone"—does not appear in the [[Bible]] other than in {{bibleverse||James|2:24|NIV}} where itits ituse is in a particular context certainly rejected, it is claimed to summarize the teaching of the [[New Testament]], and especially the [[Pauline epistles]], which systematically reject the proposition that justification is by obedience to the Law of Moses. Protestants base this on the fact that the [[New Testament]] contains almost 200 statements that appear to imply that faith or belief is sufficient for salvation. For example: "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who ''believes'' in me will live, even though he dies" ({{bibleverse||John|11:25|NIV}})

Luther's German translation of the New Testament added the word ''allein'' (''alone'') to {{bibleverse||Romans|3:28|10}}, rendering "...is justified by faith..." as "...is justified by faith ''alone''... " (emphasis added). Needless to say, the insertion of words into the Bible has been highly controversial.