The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Faith Alone

Mike,

You stated that you are a member of the Anglican Church (USA), correct? Unless something has changed of which I am not aware, the OFFICIAL doctrinal statement of faith is (was?) The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. In most of the articles contained therein one finds statements which are in total agreement with the Westminster Confession, Belgic Confession, Savoy Declaration, Baptist London Confession 1689, The Canons of Dordt, et al. For example, on the matter of justification and good works, The Thirty-Nine Articles have the following:

The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, Article XI
Of the Justification of Man

We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely expressed in the Homily of Justification.


The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, Article XII
Of Good Works

Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.

Unless I am mistaken, these articles are in full agreement with what I and the others here have been espousing. And, it seems to me that you are not in accord with the official doctrinal position of your church.