Tag Archives: faith versus works

How I Became a Heretic (to the Evangelicals)

Posted on 12/14/2019 by Paul Pavao

I was raised Catholic, gave up on Catholicism, explored eastern mysticism as a teenager, and wound up agnostic at age 20. The prayers and daily witness of my first Air Force supervisor and some reading of the Gospels led to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Early Christianity, Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Saved by Works and Not by Faith Only

Posted on 12/03/2019 by Paul Pavao

I thought of a way to get across a concept that people struggle to understand: there is a difference between being saved by faith and going to heaven. Picture a congregation. The congregation is asked, “How many of you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Faith Apart from Works” and “Not by Faith Alone”

Posted on 11/10/2019 by Paul Pavao

This is from the comments on “Faith and Works: A Brief Summary”, my June 19 blog post. I wrote this in response to a good question. Your comment (that the only mention of faith alone in the bible is in … Continue reading →

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Good People Go To Heaven; Bad People Perish

Posted on 10/23/2019 by Paul Pavao

As an evangelical, I was taught that good people do not go to heaven; saved people do. Now that Jesus died, it is all about faith. Saved people go to heaven, no matter what they do, and people who do … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Protestants, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Earning Heaven and Being Worthy

Posted on 09/06/2019 by Paul Pavao

I think it would be good to voice (write) my agreement with the idea that we will never be good enough, in ourselves, to earn heaven. This does not negate the fact that God rewards eternal life to those who … Continue reading →

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How Do We Prepare for the Judgment?

Posted on 07/02/2019 by Paul Pavao

If we are judged by our works, and if sinless perfection is not the standard, what is? That question is reserved for the Judge of All, but he gives us descriptions that we need to take into account. My next … Continue reading →

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Lordship Salvation? Works?

Posted on 06/26/2019 by Paul Pavao

This blog was prompted by an email. The writer had been warned to be careful about works, a common problem (heresy) in the evangelical churches. We have to believe what the Bible teaches. The Bible says that faith and works … Continue reading →

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Faith and Works: A Brief Summary

Posted on 06/19/2019 by Paul Pavao

This was an email response: I suppose that “faith alone then after than you’ll need works” is a good summation of what I believe. On the other hand, you have to know something else about what I believe to really … Continue reading →

Posted in Holiness, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Global” Passages of Scripture

Posted on 03/23/2019 by Paul Pavao

My wife reminded me about passages I call “global passages.” They cover the entire Christian life from conversion to the final judgment in just a few verses. I only have two right now. Romans 7:24 to 8:13 This passage is … Continue reading →

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The Rebuilding the Foundations System Spelled Out by the Apostle Peter

Posted on 05/30/2018 by

I am keenly aware of how hard it is for human beings to shift core belief systems. As a friend said recently, it is hard even to consider the idea that works have anything to do with eternal life. Of … Continue reading →

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