Every philosophical and religious tradition has a view on the requirements of membership – what it takes to belong to the community of “salvation.” In early Judaism, for example, membership within “true Israel” belonged to those who were at least: descended from Abraham, circumcised (men), obedient to the food laws and observant of the Sabbath. For Plato, it was a recognition of the superiority of the Forms over the things of physical substance. For many in the pagan world the hope was that living a virtuous life (variously defined) would secure some blessing in the afterlife.
Throughout church history, debates have raged about what makes one “truly Christian” – what distinguishes a disciple Jesus from…not… Is it some sort of prayer? A prayer and moral virtue? Participation in the sacraments (baptism and Communion)? Does one have to subscribe to a particular theological creed? Are there actions (e.g., care for the poor) that are requisite? What does it mean to be “saved by faith”? Why is it always contrasted with being “saved by works”?
In this episode we examine the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians and his famous declaration: “the righteous will live by faith” (Gal. 3:11) and the debate it has provoked across the centuries. In particular we will explore the common (and I will argue, incorrect) Christian belief that one is “saved” by faith…and just a little bit of “works” (over which we will argue passionately!). It was a view first formalized by a guy named Pelagius in the 5th century, and refuted by none less than St. Augustine.
And while Pelagianism was declared heresy by the early church, semi-Pelagianism, became official church teaching…for a while. Later rejected as misrepresenting the biblical view, it nevertheless remains probably the most popular heresy in Christendom.
This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), July 6, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!
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