I really don't want to go back on my word of not posting here, but I remembered a letter I had from the EGW Estate on this matter and thought I should end on it.
It should be stated as well that a lot of this may depend on one's background. My first SDA pastor believed in "faith alone", or should I call it "justification alone". He also preached that Jesus could not die for your sins, quoting Ezekiel 18:20, "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither the father bear the iniquity of the son" as his source. By the way, he is still a SDA pastor and has been promoted to a multi-church district. Being censored out of that church, I went to another where, guess what? The subject of "faith alone" was again raised. This was the subject of the following letters (in April 2003), but the matter doesn't stop there. The pastor of the church where I was an elder until the end of 2005 told me right before I left what his views of salvation were. Guess what? "Faith alone" citing Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" as his summation of the whole Bible, no obedience required!
So forgive me if your sterile environments leave you with nothing to do but post on nice cushy forums were errors are nowhere to be found, the church is running fine, and we can call things whatever we want, since everyone is on the same sheet of music. I have been to many churches in 3 different states and I don't believe anyone who tells me they subscribe to the 28 fundamental beliefs, the writings of Ellen White, or any of their definitions until they prove that they use the same terminology, otherwise they end up saying the same things but viewing them in entirely different points of view.
First letter to the Head Deacon from me: Sorry, I shouldn't have left Sabbath with a misunderstanding of where I stand on how we are saved. The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by grace through a faith that works. So what exactly is "salvation by faith alone?"
Let us first look at the other two views of salvation:
1) Faith AND Works: This is a Jewish and Catholic belief. One is saved by faith and meritorious works that must be earned. The Catholics believe that you are saved by faith and that you must perform meritorious deeds such as viewing the relics of saints, confession to a priesthood, pilgrimages, etc. (Legalism)
2) Faith alone: Evangelical Christianity follows the beliefs of Martin Luther when he said "Sola fe" (Faith alone!). While Martin Luther was a great man in an era of spiritual darkness, he swung the pendulum of Catholic faith and works in the totally opposite direction too far. Martin Luther also quoted "Sola Scriptura" (The Bible and the Bible only!). However, he denied the inspiration of the books of Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation. Because he rejected the book of James, which he called an "epistle of straw," he failed to grasp the Biblical concept of a faith THAT works. Believing that the works Paul spoke of included ALL works, Luther disregarded any works of man has being part of his salvation regardless of it's being the cause or fruit of salvation. (Liberalism)
So what is salvation by "faith alone?" When Ellen White uses the term "faith alone (or only)" she is contrasting faith AND works, a meritorious view of working oneself to heaven. This is evidenced in the book Steps to Christ where she writes:
"There are two errors against which the children of God--particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace--especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy. {SC 59.4}
The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption." {SC 60.1}
Faith and belief, in the New Testament are translated from the same Greek word, and therefore "to have faith" or "to believe" have the same meaning. Now the bible tells us explicitly that "Faith without works is dead" and there is no such thing as "Sola Fe."
KJV James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
KJV James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
VUL James 2:24 videtis quoniam ex operibus iustificatur homo et non ex fide tantum.
KJV James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
This is not different from what Paul teaches, although his quote from Ephesians chapter 2 is always used by those trying to establish Luther's idea of salvation.
KJV Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Proponents of this view also always leave off the last part of this thought found in verse 10:
KJV Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {ordained: or, prepared}
Another of Paul's books used to substantiate Luther is Galatians, here again, however, Paul sums up his view of salvation by "faith alone" by stating:
KJV Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
So we see that the Bible presents a uniform picture of a faith that produces works. While we know that the works are the fruit of salvation there are times in the Bible when it appears to make no difference so long as the idea comes across that no one will be saved without works of faith.
KJV John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
There are also other "requirements" of salvation such as the Lord's Supper, Baptism, Witnessing, etc. These concepts are part of the New Covenant in which we are a part of if we are Christ's. They are our part of this agreement, what we must do. If Noah had refused God's "request" to build an ark, would he have been saved? However, even after building the ark, was God obligated to save Noah? The answer to both is No!
Faith and works are two oars which we must use equally if we {would} press our way up the stream against the current of unbelief. {FLB 115.6}
I was attending a meeting, and a large congregation were present. In my dream you were presenting the subject of faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. You repeated several times that works amounted to nothing, that there were no conditions. The matter was presented in that light that I knew minds would be confused and would not receive the correct impression in reference to faith and works, and I decided to write to you. You state this matter too strongly. There are conditions to our receiving justification and sanctification, and the righteousness of Christ. I know your meaning, but you leave a wrong impression upon many minds. While good works will not save even one soul, yet it is impossible for even one soul to be saved without good works. God saves us under a law, that we must ask if we would receive, seek if we would find, and knock if we would have the door opened unto us. {FW 111.1}
There are conditions to the fulfillment of God's promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. "If ye love Me," Christ says, "Keep My commandments." "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." John 14:15, 21. Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah. They bring the name of Christ as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him. {COL 143.2}
Many concede that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, but at the same time they hold themselves away from Him, and fail to repent of their sins, fail to accept of Jesus as their personal Saviour. Their faith is simply the assent of the mind and judgment to the truth; but the truth is not brought into the heart, that it might sanctify the soul and transform the character. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified" (Rom. 8:29, 30). Calling and justification are not one and the same thing. Calling is the drawing of the sinner to Christ, and it is a work wrought by the Holy Spirit upon the heart, convicting of sin, and inviting to repentance. {1SM 389.2}
Sorry if I misrepresented this idea in any way!
His reply: The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption. {FLB 93.5}
But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. . . . Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. {FLB 93.6}
As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be. In His strength we are to live the life of purity and nobility which the Saviour lived.
The work of conquering evil is to be done through faith. Those who go into the battlefield will find that they must put on the whole armor of God. The shield of faith will be their defense and will enable them to be more than conquerors. Nothing else will avail but this--faith in the Lord of hosts, and obedience to His orders. Vast armies furnished with every other facility will avail nothing in the last great conflict. Without faith, an angel host could not help. Living faith alone will make them invincible and enable them to stand in the evil day, steadfast, unmovable, holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end. {AG 33.4}
The fierce temptation that His own Father had forever left Him caused that piercing cry from the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" {AG 170.4}
In His dying agony, as He yields up His precious life, He has by faith alone to trust in Him whom it has ever been His joy to obey. . . . Denied even bright hope and confidence in the triumph which will be His in the future, He cries with a loud voice: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46). He is acquainted with the character of His Father, with His justice, His mercy, and His great love, and in submission He drops into His hands. {AG 170.5}
This prompted the following letter to the White Estate from me: Dear Sirs,
We are having a discussion at our church over the meaning of the phrase "faith only (or alone)" as it is found in the Bible and the writings of Ellen White. These apparently contradicting statements have led to some confusion.
There are places where she writes of "faith alone" as all that is necessary:
The work of conquering evil is to be done through faith. Those who go into the battlefield will find that they must put on the whole armor of God. The shield of faith will be their defense and will enable them to be more than conquerors. Nothing else will avail but this-- faith in the Lord of hosts, and obedience to His orders. Vast armies furnished with every other facility will avail nothing in the last great conflict. Without faith, an angel host could not help. Living faith alone will make them invincible and enable them to stand in the evil day, steadfast, unmovable, holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end. {CT 182.4}
There are other places where "faith alone" also incorporates corresponding works:
James writes of Abraham and says, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:21-24). In order for man to be justified by faith, faith must reach a point where it will control the affections and impulses of the heart; and it is by obedience that faith itself is made perfect. {1SM 366.2}
Now trying to be subjective, I see there are three possibilities:
1) We are saved by faith alone regardless of corresponding works either viewed as meritorious or as a "fruit" of that faith.
2) There can be times when faith alone is "alive" regardless of corresponding works either viewed as meritorious or as a "fruit" of that faith.
3) All references to faith alone must be viewed in regard to having corresponding "works" as a fruit of that faith.
I realize that this is a sore spot for most of the church, but was hoping you could shed some light on any references where Mrs. White provides a clear view on why she sometimes writes of having "faith alone" and other times of a "faith that works."
Thank you for your help in this matter.
Their reply: Dear Brother Wennell,
Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I don't think I know the complete answer to your question. I know that Mrs. White believed that while it is faith in Jesus alone that makes His salvation effective for us, she also believed that a genuine faith would affect the life, making a decided difference in how one lives. Faith alone does not live alone--it results in works.
I did a search in Mrs. White's published writings for the expression "faith alone." There were only 45 occurrences, and many of them were duplicates. This did not seem to be a major theme of Mrs. White's.
I did notice something, though, in the examples you gave. You seemed to be asking about salvation "by faith alone" (this is explicit in your point #1 below), but the first statement from Mrs. White that you quoted did not appear to be addressing that specific issue. Rather, it was addressing the issue of victory, of conquering evil. In this instance she said, "Nothing else will avail but this-- faith in the Lord of hosts, and obedience to His orders." So here she connects faith with obeying Christ's orders, in close proximity to a "faith alone" reference. How would we obtain victory without obeying? "Living faith alone" makes the obedience possible, but faith is not alone, is it? In so saying, we are not ascribing any merit to obedience or giving it partial credit for our salvation. We are only saying that genuine faith will be accompanied by obedience.
So we should note whether Mrs. White is discussing how the sinner is made right with God (salvation) or how we may obtain victory (sanctification). Perhaps it would be more precise to say that we are not saved by faith. Rather, we are saved by grace, through faith (see Eph. 2:8). But faith is the key to victory. The Bible says that "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 Jn 5:4).
You asked not only about Mrs. White's use of the expression "faith alone" but also of "faith only." I did a computer search for this, and the first example that came up was one in which she critiqued those who used this expression (though puncutated a little differently):
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). There are many in the Christian world who claim that all that is necessary to salvation is to have faith; works are nothing, faith is the only essential. But God's Word tells us that faith without works is dead, being alone. Many refuse to obey God's commandments, yet they make a great deal of faith. But faith must have a foundation. {FW 47.1}
God's promises are all made upon conditions. If we do His will, if we walk in truth, then we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. While we earnestly endeavor to be obedient, God will hear our petitions; but He will not bless us in disobedience. If we choose to disobey His commandments, we may cry, "Faith, faith, only have faith," and the response will come back from the sure Word of God, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). Such faith will only be as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal. In order to have the benefits of God's grace we must do our part; we must faithfully work and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. {FW 47.2}
We are workers together with God. You are not to sit in indolence, waiting for some great occasion, in order to do a great work for the Master. You are not to neglect the duty that lies directly in your pathway, but you are to improve the little opportunities that open around you. . . . (Faith and Works, p. 47)
This statement comes from the book "Faith and Works." It seems to me that, with your interest in this subject, you might find this book a "must read."
The second statement that came up in that search was a reference to James 2:24: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
The third connected faith with obedience:
But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. . . . Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. {The Faith I Live By, p. 93}
I did not take matters further, but you may wish to do so. I would suggest "Faith and Works," and you may also do searches such as I did, either on a computer with the CD-ROM (the CD-ROMs are being sold at 25% discount at the ABCs, by the way) or using the "Search the Writings" feature on our website,
www.WhiteEstate.org. I hope this is helpful. Thank you for writing, and God bless!
--------
William Fagal, Director
Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1400 USA
Phone: 269 471-3209
FAX: 269 471-2646
Website:
www.WhiteEstate.org or
www.egwestate.andrews.eduE-mail: egw@aubranch.egwestate.andrews.edu
My initial reply to Elder Fagal: Brother Fagal,
Thank you for your response and in such a timely manner. I really feel sorry to bother you with such a question that I feel is so clear in both the Bible and the SOP. The proponents of "Faith Only" happen to be all the church leaders, the elders, deacons, teachers, etc. They have many accumulated years in the church where I have only five. When I initially brought up James response it was meet with, "If there was a dead body here (in the church) true it is dead but it is still here." In essence, faith without works is "alive." I tried to make the e-mail as non-biased as possible, but I wrote because they are to a degree "respecters of persons" that is, an answer from the BRI or the EGW Estate carries more weight than an idea straight from the Bible without "interpretation." I didn't write the BRI as they have articles addressing the problem and I was expecting them to just refer to these articles (I already gave them the articles without response, maybe they don't like pre-prepared responses). Again, thank you for your time!
(By the way, NO this letter didn't help the matter)
His last reply: Dear Brother Wennell,
In today's email someone asked me for a certain quote, and when I found it I thought of our correspondence yesterday. I'll share it here with you:
When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's commandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easygoing, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."--The Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890. {Selected Messages, book 1, p. 382}
For those interested, here are the links to the Biblical Research Institute regarding this issue: http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/Biblequestions/JustificationWorksHeb%201135.htm http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/justification%20by%20faith.htm http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/Salvation%20by%20Faith.htm http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/index.htmlJeff,
I never said we could not use terminology not found in the Bible (such as the word Trinity, for example), what I am saying is, why are we using terms that are ambiguous, or downright misleading, when both Bible writers and Ellen White purposefully avoided such terms and/or spoke against those who them? The terminolgy of "faith alone" is misleading as the faith part is justification and the works part is sanctification and both are required for salvation. Therefore, it is more appropriate to say we are saved by faith and works, though no one would want to use that terminolgy because of the stigma associated with it. Works are required, but not meritorious. Faith is required, but it is not meritorious either (I have a quote on that one as well). I have the feeling one day you will have to rethink your terminology, or get lumped in with evangelical Christianity, they believe in "faith alone" as well!
