Faith and Works

When we were studying James in class, we got into the discussion about the relationship between faith and works. This is roughly how the professor explained it:

We don’t do works to prove that we’re believers; we do works because we’re believers.

If there’s a lone apple tree in an orchard of cherry trees, it doesn’t try to bear apples to prove that it’s an apple tree and not a cherry tree; it bears apples because it’s an apple tree and that’s what apple trees do.

So: works don't save. They aren't divorced from faith, either. Faith and works go together naturally.

On Being Asked the Question..

"But what about all the people who believe something else? How do you know they're not right?"

There are variations on that question but they all mean the same thing and they're usually asked in a "Hah! Answer that!" tone. You know that one: annoying and agravating and arrogant. There is probably a smug look on his face. The person is sure that he has just asked the unanswerable question.

What I'd like to answer: "WHAT DO YOU THINK FAITH IS ALL ABOUT, YOU POMPOUS, ARROGANT MORON?!?!?"

That doesn't seem quite Christ-like, though, so I manage to refrain (even though I really hate that tone). The thing is, the questioner doesn't want an answer; he just wants to be right and has already decided that he has won. Any answer will be rejected with the words "Yeah, but what if you're wrong?" or "But how do you know?" or some such question.

The asking of the question usually signals the end of any real conversation.

Depth

I was talking with a friend recently and mentioned the idea of "depth" in relation to Christianity. Specifically, we were talking about a friend who had tried some internet dating services and said that all the Christian men she met lacked depth. The friend I was talking with feels that depth can be measured by your willingness to set aside differences and get along. She feels that we need to focus on what we have in common and as long as we agree on "the cross" nothing else matters. She believes in compromise: you attend her church on Saturday and his on Sunday, for example. As long as you're both Christians, nothing else should matter to you.
I don't agree. I don't think that differences should stand in the way of friendships (or I'd have to stop being friends with this friend, so start with), but I don't think we can always just focus on what we have in common. There are differences that are important, and when it comes to serious relationships, they are worth considering. It seems to me that being willing to set aside or ignore what I believe (and I'm talking doctrine, not preferences) is proof of the shallowness of my beliefs rather than of depth. Yes, there are times to compromise, but there are also times to stand firm.