Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
Several quotes he reads feel deliberately uncomfortable by modern standards—Clement of Rome: “We are justified by our works and not our words,” Barnabas: “be zealous in his works,” Second Clement: “That will not save us”; how do you process the tension between these statements and the way “justified” and “saved” are commonly used in your tradition?
Another way to ask: How do you deal with early Christian statements like “justified by our works” when your church tradition usually talks about “justified” and “saved” in a different way?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
He processes the tension by placing those statements in the “second stage” category: they are not denying grace, but warning that final salvation depends on continuing faith expressed in obedience. In his view, modern traditions often use “saved/justified” as if everything is settled at conversion, while the early writers use the terms in ways that include ongoing faithfulness.
- He insists early Christians held both sides: stage one is “saved by grace through faith…no works involved,” and stage two is maintaining salvation through obedience.
- He quotes Barnabas: “he must be zealous in his works,” and “He who keeps them…will be glorified…he who chooses other things will be destroyed.”
- He quotes Clement of Rome: “We are justified by our works and not our words,” and warns condemnation comes “unless we walk worthy of him.”
- Second Clement: “Not everyone who says…Lord…will be saved, but he that works righteousness…let us confess him by our works.”
- He argues the early church “didn’t shove [verses] under the rug” but took the “totality of the New Testament,” with salvation spoken of as both past and future.