Sermon Tone Analysis

Faced with growing threats of heresy that would deny the fundamental tenets of the gospel, the early Church formulated summaries of beliefs as definitive of “the Christian faith.”

Yet Church Fathers like Augustine did not sacrifice subjective faith, which is purely trust in God’s promises, to an objective faith, characterized as acceptance of a prescribed set of beliefs (see Augustine Ench.

v–viii).

Later, Luther, who is credited with giving rebirth to the Pauline emphasis on justification by faith, centered his life around obedient surrender to Christ; Calvin, in his own way, attempted to unify trust and experiential knowledge (Inst.

iii.2, lff.).

The biblical balance between trust and knowledge was, however, nearly lost when scholastic intellectualism—among Catholics and Protestants alike—almost lost sight of personal commitment, and pietism came close to robbing faith of its cognitive dimension.

While some of the New Testament writers provide short statements about the content of the Christian faith, they do not define precisely all its intricate aspects.

Yet, true faith essentially must be grounded on belief in Christ’s redemptive work.

As Paul instructed the Philippian jailer on the requisites of salvation, “ ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” ’ (Acts 16:31).

Conviction based on testimony that something is true or that someone is reliable.

As used in the Bible, to believe in God involves the element of trust, not mere acknowledgment of his existence.

Another special use of the term is found in Jas.

2:14–26, where all that is denoted is an intellectual assent which carries no element either of true committal or of implied obedience.

We are not to suppose that this is the only meaning of the term in James, since a fuller content seems to underlie 5:15.

Again, there is no need to think that James is here arguing specifically against Paul, as though Paul were teaching that mere belief is enough to justify.

Luther’s hasty conclusion to this effect caused him to miss the real qualities of this epistle (cf.

Tyndale’s Judicious correction of Luther on the matter); and the later thesis of a Paul-James controversy has hardly contributed to a proper understanding of the NT teaching on either faith or works, In fact, James is warning against the antinomian conclusion that mere assent is the justifying faith of Abraham and his believing successors; and in this James and Paul (cf. also He. 11) are wholly at one.

While faith justifies, this faith is the faith which is demonstrated in works, which operates by love (Gal.

5:6), and which necessarily implies obedient action (He.

11).

Another special use of the term is found in Jas.

2:14–26, where all that is denoted is an intellectual assent which carries no element either of true committal or of implied obedience.

We are not to suppose that this is the only meaning of the term in James, since a fuller content seems to underlie 5:15.

Again, there is no need to think that James is here arguing specifically against Paul, as though Paul were teaching that mere belief is enough to justify.

Luther’s hasty conclusion to this effect caused him to miss the real qualities of this epistle (cf.

Tyndale’s Judicious correction of Luther on the matter); and the later thesis of a Paul-James controversy has hardly contributed to a proper understanding of the NT teaching on either faith or works, In fact, James is warning against the antinomian conclusion that mere assent is the justifying faith of Abraham and his believing successors; and in this James and Paul (cf. also He. 11) are wholly at one.

While faith justifies, this faith is the faith which is demonstrated in works, which operates by love (Gal.

5:6), and which necessarily implies obedient action (He.

11).

1. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SAVING FAITH

A. It is a work of the Spirit of God

B. It is brought about by the Word of God

B. It is brought about by the Word of God

C. It is increased and strengthened

C. It is increased and strengthened

2. THE RESULTS OF SAVING FAITH

2. THE RESULTS OF SAVING FAITH

A. God’s Word becomes the believer’s authority

B. God’s Word is given special place in the believer’s life

B. God’s Word is given special authority in the believer’s life

C. God’s Word becomes the foundation of the believer’s life

C. God’s Word becomes the foundation of the believer’s life

C. God’s Word becomes the foundation of the believer’s life

D. The Believer accepts God’s Word as truth, gladly receives that truth, and rests upon Christ alone for salvation

D. The Believer accepts God’s Word as truth, gladly receives that truth, and rests upon Christ alone for salvation

John

3. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAVING FAITH

A. Saving faith can exist in differing degrees (weak and strong)

B. Saving faith is true faith and is not temporary

B. Saving faith is true faith and is not temporary

3. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAVING FAITH

C. Saving faith remains even when assailed and weakened

C. Saving faith remains even when assailed and weakened

D. Saving faith grows into a full assurance of faith

D. Saving faith grows into a full assurance of faith