Then you continue by referencing Ephesians 2:8, stating that, “The Scriptures say you are saved by faith, not by your own works, lest anyone should boast.”

 

Ummm – actually, that is what Paul says in the Scriptures (or at the very least the author of Ephesians, a work mostly copied from Paul’s letter to the Colossians – see Colossians 1:23 & Colossians 2:12 et al), not James or Jesus himself … In fact, even Paul himself (probably inadvertently) noted in his letter to the Galatians that “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through Love” (i.e. that even for Paul, faith means nothing without works – see Galatians 5:6) … And also in fact, every single one of Jesus’ parables has a single major theme in common. Can you guess what it is? That’s right – works over faith!!!  Consider the Parable of the Sower, Jesus’ first, and – many scholars feel – most foundational parable:
“Hear then the Parable of the Sower: When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; and yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. And yet as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word, and understands it, and who indeed BEARS FRUIT and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:18-23)

P.S. You know, for someone who consistently criticizes me for not using the “whole Bible” (even though I actually do), you sure do flagrantly ignore HUGE swaths of Scripture yourself, my Friend …

Filed under: Burnishing Bigotry by Scaughdt