re: #149 wheat-dogg

Isn’t this a major theological dispute among some Christian sects? As I understand it, some of the Pentecostal/Evangelical sects make faith primary and consider works largely irrelevant. IOW, a “good Christian” is someone who has strong faith and witnesses to others (potential converts), regardless of his or her works, whereas someone who devotes time and energy to charitable and humanitarian work without making it all about Christ is a “lukewarm Christian.”

That is the classic misunderstanding that hurts Christianity. Even where faith is considered to be primary, works are how you show grace in the world. Works, without faith, at least brings good into the world and as Christ said, those who are not against me are for me. But as James notes, faith without works is meaningless. As he says. What good is it to tell people without food or shelter to be full and warm if YOU don’t give them food or shelter?

Francis recently reiterated his comment that God would prefer a good atheist to a fake Christian. I agree. Further I think we Christians need to act like atheist s are correct and do good because it is right not out of some vain hope of a reward in the sky someday.