uch, but only claims of the Bibles superiority”. This only confirms Luther’s suspicion of a corrupt Catholic Church, as he felt that it was time for a change. The Bible says that in the beginning there was the Word; and Protestants believe that it is faith in that Word, and the Word only that will grant them salvation. This principle of Protestantism can be summed up by Phillip Schaff again: The Protestant goes directly to the Word of God for instruction, and to the throne of grace in his devotions; whilst the pious Roman Catholic consults the teaching of his church, and prefers to offer his prayers through the medium of the Virgin Mary and the saints.” It stems from this general principle of Evangelical freedom, and direct individual relationship of the believer to Christ, proceed the three fundamental doctrines of Protestantism -the absolute supremacy of (1) the Word, and of (2) the grace of Christ, and (3) faith of believersThe salvation by faith alone was Luther’s way of splitting from the Catholic Church’s good work system. Sola Fide was a way for a Protestant to relate to God in a one on one relationship without the worry of having to deal with good works. It is the justification by faith that means a complete trust in the savior. It is in this justification that we transform from the complete sinner to a state of holiness and one of god’s perfect imago dei. There are passages in the Bible that reaffirm this point, the story of Abraham being one such parable. In this lesson, God commanded Abraham to kill his son in order to prove his faith. Abraham, not wanting to doubt his savior, was ready to do such a deed. However, God interjected and said that He was only testing Abraham on his faith. Because Abraham had believed God gave His command in regards to Abraham’s best interest, Abraham had faith in whatever decision he would make. That is the ultimate faith in ones savior, to sac...
