Is Faith Alone Indicative Of A Harmony Among Protestants?

In a recent article, I warned Protestants of the dangers of speaking for God in their endeavor to instruct others in “what the Bible (God) says.” Seeking feedback from my educated Protestant friends, I invited them to weigh in on my warning. As anticipated, most responded with an appeal to Scriptural clarity. One went a bit further in appealing to a “Christ-centered hermeneutic.” For what I gather, a “Christ-centered hermeneutic” requires prayer and humility in interpreting Scripture within one’s chosen Church community. Furthermore, a key harmonizing aspect of the “Christ-centered hermeneutic” is the “biblical” belief in justification by faith (faith alone).

In this article, I examine these claims of harmony. In theory, if one Protestant holds to a belief in faith alone, they harmonize with other Protestants in their “Christ-centered hermeneutic.” If they do not, does this mean they lack a significant prayer life and lack of humility?

The Exchange

Below represents the exchange between me and my Protestant friend. (My response in bold).

While through interpreting Scripture with the church, prayerfully, with humility, through the lens of the Christ-centered hermeneutic given in the apostolic witness of the NT theological knowledge is imparted, no human being possesses that knowledge in the way God does. Knowledge yes; God’s eye view no.

So, any misinterpretation on the part of the individual points to flaws in spiritual character? They were not prayerful or humble enough, or Christ-centered enough? Who determines this? The point is not the knowledge you possess, but that you present your knowledge as coming from God and therefore true. Anyone who disagrees with you theologically disagrees with what God teaches in His word, and therefore God.

There is a lot of harmony among Reformers in recovering justification by faith, even acknowledging differences on other topics. This is why a podcast like “The White Horse Inn” can exist – reformed, Lutheran, Baptist, and Anglican representatives, all brothers in the Gospel. Looking forward to your thoughts on justification.

So, is the belief in justification by faith alone the criteria for a Christ-centered hermeneutic? You know, this itself is based on an interpretation of Scripture, right?

Of course, but I think it is possible to arrive at a true interpretation. Do you?

Yes. But what if your understanding of faith alone is incorrect?

I don’t believe it is incorrect, as I believe justification by faith is well-founded by the biblical evidence, supported also by many confessions and catechisms. When you ask this question, do you not see it also applies to you and your convictions about Rome?

The Recovery of Faith Alone

In my exchange, the issue of justification by faith alone as a mark of harmony surprised me. As someone who studies Church history and the various views brough forth by those who claim to “know what the bible teaches,” the appeal to justification by faith alone as indictive of harmony “in the Gospel” rings hollow. Why? For one, belief in faith alone is not also belief in the Gospel. Historically, the Gospel simply refers to belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Any idea of faith alone attached to the Gospel represents a 16^th century innovation. [For more on this, please stay tuned, as I plan on writing specifically on justification in the coming months.]

**Affirming Faith Alone and Denying the Trinity and Incarnation**

Moreover, by far the greatest issue with an appeal to faith alone as a guarantor of harmony among Protestants is the fact that some Protestants who accept justification by faith alone also reject beliefs in the Trinity and Incarnation. For example, the below comes from the “Continuing in Salvation” section of the Unitarian (not Unitarian Universalist) ministry Living Hope:

Salvation is an act of God’s grace received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8). We are not able to earn God’s forgiveness for our sins through our works (Ephesians 2:9). It is God’s gift to everyone who believes.

I challenge any Trinitarian Protestant to disagree with the above. Furthermore, we see the view of faith alone and Scripture alone reflected in the Racovian Catechism, one of the earliest Unitarian catechisms. What should we make of such things?

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I stand by my initial warnings to Protestants who claim to speak for God in their endeavor to instruct others in “what the Bible (God) says.” Moreover, it should also appear clear that a “Christ-centered hermeneutic” and the harmony faith alone promises does not rescue one from the dangers of speaking for God, as those who practice a “Christ-centered hermeneutic” and affirm belief in faith alone ALSO deny the Trinity and Incarnation.

What do you think?