Faith – belief in God / relationship with God / acceptance of religious teachings
Works – good deeds, sacraments, rituals
Grace – free gift, not a reward
Salvation – eternal union with God (heaven)
Works can be counter-productive
Works can be nice
Works are essential to salvation
Catholicism: Faith and works are inseparable on the road to salvation
Luther: The choice to respond to God’s call to faith leads to salvation
Calvin: God saves whomever God chooses, humans have no say in the matter
21st century (?): Works are most important, religion may or may not be helpful
Is Gandhi in heaven?
No – dominant view until 20th century, many still
Maybe – 20th century Catholicism
Yes – popular view in 21st century America
Punishment for bad deeds
Absence of God
What would a Protestant say if someone their whole life a bad person like a murderer, but he was extremely devout in his faith. Would he be saved or damned?
What would Luther say about absolutely horrible people who are devoutly Catholic [Christian] and fully accept faith? Would they still go to heaven?
According to Calvin, can murderers be sent to heaven if they made God's list?
Why did Calvin believe in predestination?
Would this bring into question that life is meaningless and there is no point in being good since most of us are going to hell?