Works are pointless and meaningless?

Question

I recently asked a fundie I know if she believed that good works meant anything. She said our works are meaningless and God doesn't even see them. She claims that all He sees is whether or not we have accepted His son as our savior, period. What is THAT? Do people really believe this? If fundamentalists really feel this way, then why is it so important for you all not to celebrate the fun holidays, not to drink, not curse, not watch R-rated movies, not listen to secular music, etc...? Just wondering.

Answer 1

Unfortunately some Protestants do believe this, even though the Bible, which they claim to follow, repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of Christian works of charity for salvation.  Just read the last paragraph of Matt 25!  It describes the works we are required to do, and then says that those who don't do them will go to h**l!  Pretty straightforward, wouldn't you say?  And of course James specifically tells us "we are justified by our works and not by faith alone", which is why Luther tried to eliminate James from the Bible.  Either you believe what the bible says or you don't, but protestantism requires a pick and choose approach - accept the passages that agree with what you believe, and just ignore the rest.

Answer 2

There IS a big difference in 'knowing' Jesus and "Knowing" Him. (She needs to define True Christianity!)  When one is finally Born Again/saved, one WANTS to serve Him! That would be the 'works' that include if you truly Love Him or not.

Answer 3

You're trying to make sense out of something that is utterly illogical, irational and meant only to be taken with a tall glass of faith

Answer 4

Those people are completely detached from reality.

Answer 5

I think our works are meaning less, if we should do it for praise. If our work is being done help our fellow men and women I would disagree. I come more to protestant point of view, but i think catholics are not off either. At all, becuase faith with out action is meaning less. we are called to make Jesus messages and deeds to all who will listen. People knewest more by action then words.  

Answer 6

This is Paul's heresy. Paul changed Christianity irrevocably, from a religion of mercy and compassion into a dogmatic pile of drivel.

Answer 7

Someone up there said this is Paul's heresy; it's not, it is Protestant misunderstanding and Protestestant dualism, trying to split up ideas that are not meant to be separate.

You might as well argue that a car's engine is important but the steering wheel isn't.

And yeah, you're right, it is ironic [and kinda lame] that they say good works are meaningless -even evil!- but then turn around with the Big List of all the no-nos.  

Answer 8

that is not true. Works are important. But they are not a basis for salvation. Salvation will lead to good works.

Accepting Christ as your savior is a very loose term. We are to repent (turn away and forsake our sin) dont do it any more... I know, we will stumble and fall into sin on occasions. but we dont leap in intentionally and do it. Then you must trust, not just simply believe in Christ. If you had to jump out of a plane you wouldnt just believe in a parachute... you would put it on and trust it as if your very life depended on it. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him as if you very life depended on it, because it does....

Answer 9

I have a Christian friend that feels that way. He listens to a lot of AM radio and I like to poke fun of him. He says that as long as you accept Jesus it doesn't matter what you do, and that what you do naturally once you accepted Jesus is all you need to do. He says that if you really believe then you will not sin but if you do it's ok. I even got him to prove it to me by cursing God. I'm so bad.

Answer 10

Which kinda makes you wonder why the No True Scotsman fallacy is so popular among fundies....