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See... esteemed friend... I"M not at all SURE you and MennoSota mean that in the same way (or even remotely close to the same way).
I HOPE THIS HELPS....
Here's the typical, classic Protestant "take" on that. In Justification (narrow) Jesus IS THE Savior (all sufficient). We convey this by Sola Gratia - Solus Christus - Sola Fide as ONE inseparable, singular teaching (what the RCC excommunicated us for). And we see all of us as "the work of God" "the gift of God" "Not your own doing lest any should have cause to boast" "the inheritance of God." A few liberal Catholics see this as similar to what some Catholics call "INITIAL grace" but we simply call this Justification - which is by grace in view of Christ received via faith. All the GIFT of God. In Justification, we don't see "faith" as OUR work at all, but has GOD'S work exclusively - which He formed, He gave to us. God is the GIVER of life (not just the Offerer). We get REAL uncomfortable when faith is even implied to be OUR "stuff" which is the good work that results in our justification. Now, switching gears, ONCE JUSTIFIED (now with the gift of life, the gift of faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit) now as a Child of God, a Christian, faith IS something we employ as we "tap into" the empowering of God and the direction/wisdom of God.... in Sanctification, there is a "good you do" aspect to faith - but that's a different enchilada.
This issue comes up CONSTANTLY as Catholics and Protestants talk past each other on the narrow topic of Justification: Both of us will say (sincerely!) We are justified by grace in Christ through faith. But mean the exact opposite. Why? Because Catholic view this as part of Sanctification and define "grace" in THAT context - "grace" = God's empowering (which IS the meaning in Sanctification). Thus: God gives you all the ability/strength/empowering you need to gain justification, you just need to adequately tap it. This Protestants see as.... well, as you see MennoSota doing. It's Islamic. It's Pelagianism. And it means the Savior is you and Jesus is a joke. It means that we just need a little HELP but certainly no Savior. Thus the mantras of our Catholic teahers: God helps those who help themselves..... Jesus opened the gate to heaven but it's up to you to get through them by what you do.... Even one Catholic who flat out told me, "Actually Jesus saves no one, Jesus makes it possible for all to be saved." Protestants, in this context, see grace as God's favor, blessing and GIFT. And of course, someone earns that gift and gives it (inheritance). Thus - we say the exact same words and mean the opposite. I suspect MennoSota is putting your words here.... together with some comments elsewhere.... and wondering if you are defining "faith" not as reliance in the Gift but as active response to the gift - BOTH appropriate definitions, but for different things.
As I've tried to convey, while classic Protestantism upholds the importance of Sanctification AT LEAST AS MUCH as Catholicism (I'd argue much more), we hold that such is what the living are called to do - as a child of God, one with the Gifts of life and faith and the Holy Spirit because one is loved and alive. We get.... really uncomfortable.... when stuff indicates that Jesus is not the Savior, when the Cross and Tomb are irrelevant, when the dead give the dead life rather than the Holy Spirit. Classic Protestantism is monergistic IN JUSTIFICATION and very sensitive to Pelagianism. Jesus is the Savior is what we regard as the Chief Article of Faith (really what makes Christianity distinctive, what makes Christianity Christianity). Now, switching gears to the NEW REALITY that Jesus creates in all who have this GIFT of life, faith and the Holy Spirit - and suddenly, we're all pretty much on the same page (not exactly - there are slight differences - but slight). NOW, for Christians, you CAN speak of grace as empowering.... there is synergism.... there are good works WE perform... there are rewards and prizes in heaven.... and yes, we can wreck our faith and loose the Gifts. But only CHRISTIANS who have the Gift of life, faith and the Spirit.
To place this is the context of repentance, while there's a interplay and a dynamic here we leave as "mystery", Protestants would deny that repentance is what justifies us (making Jesus NOT the Savior) - indeed, we see repentance as part of Sanctification, what a believer does (as opposed to remorse which even your dog does). Now.... does justification exist apart from repentance? Probably not (they ARE linked). But does that mean that repentance is the (or even a) good work that the dead perform that results in him thus having life, faith, the Holy Spirit and justification? No. JESUS is the reason for that, look to what JESUS did/does.
I HOPE that helps a bit..... Probably not, lol
- Josiah
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