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So it’s faith alone, but that faith is not alone, then it’s not faith alone? (Luther was mentally ill I guess)
Mark,
Luther never said that faith is the ONLY aspect needed for salvation (although see what not Luther but see what Paul said in Acts 16:31) Luther taught SOLA GRATIA - SOLUS CHRISTUS - SOLA FIDE - SOLI DEO GLORIA as one, united, inseparable truth. Yes, we an look at each part but we cannot separate such from the whole. We are justified (narrow) only because of the grace of God, only through the work of Christ the Savior, which is personally apprehended via faith.... all the gift of God. If we added the broader sense of justification, Lutherans would add that we express our new life by a new life of love, obedience and service as we become more Christ-like.
SOLA FIDE addresses the singular issue of how justification (narrow) is applied to the individual, how it is personally apprehended or receieved. He said it is "by faith" - via that means. I would argue this is correct (John 3:16, Ephesian 2:8, Romans 5:1, Romans 3:26, etc.).
Now if you want to discuss this, you can - there are several threads on this here at CH. See
Blessings!
Josiah
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