Lutheran Theology

2. Sola Fide/faith alone
The two Latin words, sola fide, translated "by faith alone," declare that good works are not the
means by which salvation is attained; neither are they required nor accepted by God for granting
salvation. Sola fide is the teaching that justification (understood in Protestant theology as "being
declared just by God") is received by faith alone, without the need for good works on the part of
the believing individual. Good works are viewed as the evidence of saving faith; they do not
determine salvation. The Catholic side of the argument is based on James 2:14-17. "What does it
profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
In understanding sola fide, it is important to keep in mind the difference between the Catholic and
Protestant notions of justification. Both groups agree that it means a communication of Christ's
merits to sinners. Martin Luther used the expression simul justus et peccator ("at the same time
justified and a sinner"). However, Catholics see justification as a communication of God's life to a
human being, cleansing him of sin and transforming him into a true son of God. It is not merely a
declaration of righteousness; the soul is made objectively righteous. The Protestant view, by
contrast, is that justification is entirely the gracious work of God. Good works are the result of therighteousness of Christ having been received by faith; they are the evidence of that righteousness
having been reckoned by God to the believer. It is only as a justified person that one is enabled to
do anything that is acceptable (good or righteous) in the sight of God.

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2. Sola Fide/faith alone
The two Latin words, sola fide, translated "by faith alone," declare that good works are not the
means by which salvation is attained; neither are they required nor accepted by God for granting
salvation. Sola fide is the teaching that justification (understood in Protestant theology as "being
declared just by God") is received by faith alone, without the need for good works on the part of
the believing individual. Good works are viewed as the evidence of saving faith; they do not
determine salvation. The Catholic side of the argument is based on James 2:14-17. "What does it
profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
In understanding sola fide, it is important to keep in mind the difference between the Catholic and
Protestant notions of justification. Both groups agree that it means a communication of Christ's
merits to sinners. Martin Luther used the expression simul justus et peccator ("at the same time
justified and a sinner"). However, Catholics see justification as a communication of God's life to a
human being, cleansing him of sin and transforming him into a true son of God. It is not merely a
declaration of righteousness; the soul is made objectively righteous. The Protestant view, by
contrast, is that justification is entirely the gracious work of God. Good works are the result of therighteousness of Christ having been received by faith; they are the evidence of that righteousness
having been reckoned by God to the believer. It is only as a justified person that one is enabled to
do anything that is acceptable (good or righteous) in the sight of God.

BY Lutheran Theology