Mercy V Justice

[JLHPROF]

I would say the faith versus works debate is more of a product of Reformation-era Protestants reacting against Catholic practices, and co-opting Pauline writings to support their arguments. The debate kinda gets nicked in butt when someone understands the linguistic and socio-religious context in which Paul wrote.

"Faith" is more accurately rendered as "faithfulness" and is typified in the client-patron relationship of Antiquity. Patron (God) provides needed service which the client cannot obtain on their own, out of the goodness of their heart. The client (us) gives faithful loyalty to the patron out of thankfulness.

 

This would make an interesting thread topic.../hint

[HappyJackWagon]

 

I would say the faith versus works debate is more of a product of Reformation-era Protestants reacting against Catholic practices, and co-opting Pauline writings to support their arguments. The debate kinda gets nicked in butt when someone understands the linguistic and socio-religious context in which Paul wrote.

"Faith" is more accurately rendered as "faithfulness" and is typified in the client-patron relationship of Antiquity. Patron (God) provides needed service which the client cannot obtain on their own, out of the goodness of their heart. The client (us) gives faithful loyalty to the patron out of thankfulness.

Can you elaborate on that because I don't think I agree.

From the beginning Paul and Peter were at odds over which of them was teaching the True form of Christianity. Peter held the view that one must be justified by living the law of Moses. Christianity was simply an extension of Judaism, therefore Peter taught that converts to Christ must still keep the Jewish Law.

Paul, on the other hand argued the opposite which isn't surprising considering his mission was to the Gentiles and not the Jews like Peter. Paul argued that there was no need for a convert to Christianity to first convert to Judaism or live its law. For example, a convert to Christianity would not need to be circumcized like a jew or eat Kosher foods. In fact, this was the source of one of their major conflicts when Peter refused to eat with the gentile converts.

Put simply, Peter believed in that a person was justified by keeping the law (works/justice) while Paul taught that faith on Christ was sufficient to save (faith/Mercy).