LETTERS: MORE AGREEMENT THAN DIVISION

To the editor:

I am writing in response to the two recent letters to the editor concerning the issue of salvation through faith alone. In the last couple of weeks, two of your readers have sought to clarify the teachings of the Catholic church on this issue. I would like to add my comments to the discussion.

With respect to the Jan. 5 letter from Mike Young, the distinction is made between the issue of "faith alone" (intellectual ascent) vs. works as an integral, inseparable part of our faith. The Catholic church consistently makes it clear that we are saved by God's grace and God's grace alone through the death of Jesus on the cross. In addition, as Mr. Young states, "This gift must be accepted through our faith in Jesus Christ, which is manifested in works or deeds of love in his name." In essence, the Catholic church believes as James taught us in Chapter 2 that "faith apart from works is dead." The following week in a letter by retired Lutheran pastor David V. Dissen, an attempt is made to contrast the position of the Catholic church to that of the Lutheran church by misrepresenting Canon IX. This Catholic teaching simply reiterates that works are a natural extension of our faith in Christ, again as the Bible teaches us in James, Chapter 2. In his letter, Mr. Dissen even asserts from The Book of Concord that Lutherans believe it is "as impossible to separate works from faith as it is to separate heat and light from fire." What am I missing? Is it not obvious that the two sides agree on this issue? Both denominations seem to acknowledge that we do nothing to earn our salvation. Rather, we accept this wonderful and loving gift of God through our faith and we show this faith through works. If the definition of faith includes works as an integral, inseparable part of our faith, as Mr. Dissen illustrates, then Catholics would agree to salvation through faith alone. In fact, this common ground is the basis for the recent joint declaration between the Catholic church and the majority of the Lutheran church.

Perhaps we should take a step back and focus our energy on working together to spread the Word to those who have not experienced the wonderful salvation, through our faith, from God. These are the true works for which we are called.

JON TWIDWELL

Cape Girardeau