This is the transcript for the video short with the same name (1-15-26).
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Catholics fully agree with Protestants on justification by faith, at least in the beginning of our spiritual life. We disagree that we are justified by faith ALONE. I have collected a hundred Bible passages about that, that we link to. The Apostle Paul uses the phrase “works of the law” in several of these passages (or “works” arguably used in the same sense, in context). This doesn’t mean ALL good works whatsoever, but rather, specifically, Jewish marks of identity such as circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, etc. These works cannot save anyone without grace and faith.
This understanding has been set forth in the last fifty years by Protestant scholars such as N. T. Wright, and is called the “new perspective on Paul”. Again, see a linked article for more details. Here are ten passages from RSV:
Romans 3:24-26, 28, 30 they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. … [26] … he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. … [28] … we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. … [30] … he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. (cf. 3:20)
Romans 4:3-6 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due.[5] And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. [6] So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:
Romans 4:22 That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.” (cf. 4:8-11, 23-24)
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified.
Galatians 2:16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified.
Galatians 3:6 Thus Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (cf. 3:2, 5, 10)
Galatians 3:8, 11 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” …[11] Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live”;
Galatians 3:23-26 Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. [24] So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
James 2:23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. (cf. 2:21-22, 24-25)
Related Book
Related Articles
Bible vs. “Faith Alone”: 100 Proofs
Abraham: Justified Twice by Works & Once by Faith
Related Web Page
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