The Unauthorized Homily

By Bill Dunn

A commentary on the Scripture readings from the Sunday Lectionary

(Scripture readings for Sunday, June 27th: 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62)

IS SALVATION BY FAITH OR GOOD WORKS … OR WHAT?

Of the many differences between Romans Catholics and Fundamentalists, the most important issue—in fact, one of the primary reasons the Protestant Reformation occurred almost five centuries ago—is the question of salvation. In other words, how to we get to Heaven?

The Reformers, led by Martin Luther, said people are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that people are saved by faith plus their good works. It is often said that Catholic doctrine requires people to “earn” their way into Heaven. Many passages in Scripture are cited to show that this is an unbiblical position, including Ephesians 2:8-9, where St. Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Another such passage is found in this week’s second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We read, “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. For you were called for freedom.” At the end of the reading, Paul summarized, “But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Paul’s main point, here and in many of his other epistles, is pretty clear: we cannot “earn” our way into Heaven. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for our sins, and there is nothing we can do to add to what He did for us. The “law” Paul referred to was the Mosaic Law, the Old Testament Law. No matter how well someone keeps that Law, no matter how well he or she is under that Law’s “yoke of slavery,” it is impossible to earn a trip to Heaven by one’s own efforts.

Our salvation, our justification, is a free gift from the grace of God.

So the question is, isn’t that what Luther said: salvation by faith alone? And isn’t that the opposite of what the Catholic Church teaches, that we must “earn” our way into Heaven?

Well, let’s go right to the source, the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Section 162 says, “Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man.”

Some other passages from the Catechism (with section numbers noted): “Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ” (CCC #1992).

“Justification is the most excellent work of God’s love” (CCC #1994).

“Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us” (CCC #1996).

“The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us” (CCC #1999).

It is clear from the Catechism, which is the official summary of Church doctrines, that we are not expected to “earn” our way into Heaven. It is a free gift from the grace of God.

Does this mean that Martin Luther and the Catholic Church are on the same page regarding salvation? Well, not exactly, but Luther’s “faith alone” and the Church’s “faith plus good works” are actually a lot closer than most people realize.

Section 2002 of the Catechism states: “God’s free initiative demands man’s free response.”

Salvation is a free gift from the grace of God, yes, but since we were created with free will, we have the ability either to accept this gift or to reject it. Accepting God’s gift, therefore, is an action, a good work.

Think of the many expressions Evangelicals and Fundamentalists use to encourage people to become born again: “Put your faith in Jesus.” “Accept Him as you personal Savior.” “Make Him the Lord of your life.” “Ask Him into your heart.”

Now, these are all wonderful statements, and everyone, regardless of denomination, ought to follow these instructions. But notice the italicized words—Put, Accept, Make, Ask. What do these words have in common? They are all verbs; they are action words. Each of those statements is a call to do something. They are, as the Catholic Catechism says, a demand for our free response.

The Evangelical and Fundamentalist position seems to be: You’re saved by faith alone, there is nothing you can do—so here’s what you need to do!

Martin Luther separated faith and good works. He considered them two distinct and separate things. Faith is what saves us, he taught, and the good works which result from true faith have nothing to do with our salvation.

The Catholic Church takes a slightly different view. The Church does not separate faith and good works. Faith and good works are actually two sides of the same coin. They are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.

And the Bible is not silent about this particular viewpoint:

Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21).

Jesus: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Jesus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“God will give to each person according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6).

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

“A person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).

“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

To summarize, our salvation is a free gift from the grace of God. There is nothing we can do to “earn” it. This is the official Catholic doctrine, regardless of what you may have heard. But the Bible is very clear that our faith, expressed by an active response, is the critical way in which we accept God’s free gift. Saving faith, and the good works it produces, are inseparable, and both are present during the life-long journey of salvation.

St. Paul described it best in his letter to the Galatians, a few verses before this week’s second reading begins: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).

My fellow Catholics and my dear friends in the Evangelical and Fundamentalist communities have a lot more in common than we think. And even though the question, “How do we get to Heaven?” was a primary cause of the Reformation five centuries ago, the fact of the matter is, we’re often saying quite similar things but just using different terms. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jesus’ prayer for Christian unity finally was answered during our lifetime?

©2010