February 22, 2012 – Hebrews 10:26 - 11:12

This section has a lot on the power of faith and the faith of the fathers in the Old Testament. Many would argue that a passage such as this is a strong argument for the theology of faith alone. If you are in agreement with that, I would ask that you read the section over again. Faith is mentioned a lot, and although the word “works” is never mentioned, the actions of those that have faith is mentioned with every example. Cain’s faith allowed him to make a good sacrifice. Noah’s faith allowed him to build the ark and warn people of what was coming. Abraham’s faith allowed him to leave his homeland. Faith alone has no part in this section. It is the faith that they had and the actions that it led them to doing. If you have all the faith in the world and sit idly by doing nothing, can that faith save you. No. So, faith alone cannot save you. Your faith has to result in something or bring about action in you. I think the word “works” is often used to misguide people, especially because of the Pauline discourses on “works of law” and how they cannot save you. Works might not be the best word to describe what Catholics believe, but we do not believe that you can earn your way into Heaven. Works (or actions) and faith are needed together. Two parts of the same things, a both/and, not an either/or.