When Beliefs Clash...
In today’s second reading from James, we hear that “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead”. This stands in sharp contrast to the basic stance of Luther who used the writings of St. Paul to proclaim that Faith alone, and not works, saves: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) So which teaching should we accept?
First the historical background. Starting from the 11th century the Church had begun to offer indulgences, which involved doing certain prescribed ‘works’ by which Christians could gain (for themselves or their loved ones who had died) partial or full remission of any punishment that sin brought about (e.g. Purgatory). Initially these were offered as an incentive to encourage Christians to join the Crusades (on the grounds that if they were ready to give their lives for Christ they would be saved from all punishment due to sin). Later, however, the Church started selling certificates of indulgences to raise funds for specific projects like the building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. By the time of Luther, we have the notorious Johann Tetzel selling indulgences with the unabashed assurance that “When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul into heaven springs!” This theology of indulgences was challenged by Luther and became the corner stone of the Reformation movement in the 16th century - and is still a theological bone of contention between Catholics and most of the other Christian groups. Catholics quote the passage from James’ letter that is our second reading for today, and the supporters of Luther’s position quote Paul’s letters.
In an earlier blog, (The Three Elements of a Saving Faith) I had suggested that BELIEF is not to be considered as a synonym for FAITH. After all, as we read in today’s Gospel, Peter had the belief that Jesus was the Christ/Messiah, but the next moment Jesus turns on him and calls him Satan, indicating clearly that Peter’s belief did not necessarily mean he had the required faith that saves. And if that was not enough, we have Jesus saying: Not everyone who calls me, ‘Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 7:21-23) And so, though belief may be part of faith, it is in combination with a confidence/trust in Jesus, and actions showing a commitment to Jesus - expressed in ‘love of the neighbour’ - that it becomes faith. And therefore in today’s second reading James expresses that: “I, by my works (my active commitment) will show you my faith”. And if this distinction between Faith and Belief is accepted, then we can understand Paul’s teaching that faith saves us, by realising he is not talking about an intellectual BELIEF in Jesus, but of our Faith Commitment to Jesus, which is what saves us.
The fact is that today, both Catholics and Protestants partially accept each other’s stance. Fifty years after Luther’s revolt, the Catholic Church stopped the selling of indulgences, though indulgences are still given today on the completion of certain prayers or charitable works. Today, less polemical approaches to Scripture studies by both Catholics and Protestant scholars have helped us to come closer together in our understanding of ‘faith’ and ‘works’. For example, Catholics accept that we are so naturally inclined to love ourselves, that it is only by grace that we can love our neighbour and be committed to Christ. On the other hand, mainline Protestants accept that just an intellectual belief in Jesus without being expressed in works of love of neighbour is totally meaningless. This is a good example of how an openness to apparently opposing views can help us refine our own stance and come to a more wholesome truth.
But, of course, such openness is very difficult for all of us, especially when it is something that is deeply embedded in us. Unfortunately, in today’s world, we are becoming more and more polarised, and we seem to be finding it more and more difficult to even listen respectfully to those who hold significantly different positions from our own…. not only in religion, but in politics, economics, international relationships etc. Tony D’mello has an interesting story in his book, The Song of the Bird:
“What did that man find?” asked the friend.
“A piece of Truth”, said the devil.
“Doesn’t that disturb you?” asked the friend.
“No,” said the devil, “I shall let him make a belief out of it.”
Then Tony continues: “A religious belief is a signpost pointing the way to Truth. When you cling to the signpost, you are prevented from moving towards the Truth, because you think you have it already.”
Of course, what he says about religious belief also applies to beliefs we hold in so many aspects of our lives. Could we learn to accept that all our beliefs are signposts to truth, and that TRUTH itself is way beyond all the little pieces we have picked up along the way? And therefore, while we do not have to discard our own truth, we need to recognise that we do not have the totality of truth. And if we need to go beyond our own valid, though still tiny little, truth, we need to learn to really listen, we need to learn to really respect others. There is an ocean out there, let us not be satisfied swimming in our little wells - though of course the latter is safer and less terrifying. Gibran in his book ‘The Prophet’, writes: “And how shall you rise beyond your days and nights, unless you break the chains which you, at the dawn of your understanding, have fastened around your noon hour?”
First Reading: Isaiah 50: 5-9a
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Second Reading: James 2: 14-18
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
Gospel: Mark 8: 27-35
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
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