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The Historic Faith Podcast  /  "The Balance of Faith and Works"  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Clement says believers are “not justified by ourselves… but by that faith,” and then immediately asks, “Was [Abraham blessed] not because he worked righteousness and truth through faith?”; how does that two-paragraph pairing confront common evangelical instincts about grace versus obedience, and what does it suggest Clement thought saving faith actually does?
Another way to ask: Clement says we’re justified by faith, then points to Abraham “working righteousness” through faith. How does that push back on common ideas about grace vs. obedience, and what do you think Clement believed real saving faith produces?

Direct Answer The pairing confronts the instinct to separate grace from obedience by placing them side-by-side without apology: justification is not earned, yet Abraham’s blessing is tied to “worked righteousness… through faith.” Based on the transcript, Clement sees saving faith as an active, obedient faith that produces righteousness rather than replacing it.

Support from Transcript:

  • David quotes Clement: believers are “not justified by ourselves… nor… works… but by that faith through which… God has justified all men.”
  • Immediately after, Clement asks: “For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he worked righteousness and truth through faith?”
  • David says the first quote might make someone think, “Hey, Luther’s right,” but the next paragraph shows “they also understand the works have to be there as well.”
  • Dean describes Clement’s balance: grace and faith, and faith gives “power to live a righteous life that is required of us.”
  • They connect this balance to James: “show me your faith by your works,” calling it “the beautiful harmony between… Romans and James.”
Discussion Follow-ups When you hear “required,” do you hear “earning,” or do you hear “the fruit of real faith”? How does Clement’s phrasing help you keep grace central without making obedience optional?

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