Antinomianism

Are righteous works necessary to salvation? 

There is an insistence in many theological circles that “anyone who is Biblically literate knows that ‘works’ in Pauline language is a bad thing“.  But this doesn’t accurately characterize Pauline doctrine.  In fact, it tends to infuse an inherent hostility towards righteousness into the Church that is actually quite dangerous in its capacity to lead people off the “highway of holiness” (Isaiah 35:8). 

The truth is that Paul is very pro-works:

Ephesians 2:10 (NET) For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

Romans 2:7 (NET) [v.6 “God, who will render”] eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality,

Titus 2:7 (NET) showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Titus 3:8 (NET) This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people.

This neglects the bulk of Pauline doctrine dedicated to instructing Christians in righteous works: Romans 12-15; 1st Corinthians 6-8; Galatians 5; Ephesians 4-6; Colossians 3; 1st Thessalonians 4; 2nd Thessalonians 3; 1st Timothy 2; 5-6; 2nd Timothy 2-3; Titus 2-3; and even the Letter to Philemon, the entirety of which is an appeal to Philemon for good works on behalf of Onesimus for Paul’s sake!

Biblical theology is very careful to guard against the heresy of antinomianism:

James 2:14-26 (NET) [14] What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? [17] So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear. [20] But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? [22] You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “*Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness***,” and *he was called God’s friend*. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

No claim to salvation by faith is valid unless it is proved by the fruit of righteousness because righteousness is the “body” for the “spirit” of faith.

What many scholars mean when they say that Pauline theology views “works” as a bad thing is that in Romans 3:20 – 4:6; 9:11 – 11:6 (and all the corresponding soteriological Pauline passages) “works” – as they characterizes “the works of the law” – are presented as wholly insufficient to merit salvation. But Paul does not call them “bad”, and in fact he even takes the time to correct that misconception in Romans 7:7. Paul never refers to works as “bad” or “evil”. Rather, he faithfully affirms that righteous works are entirely insufficient to evoke, effect, or merit salvation before one is born again by God’s grace through faith.

I’m not trying to condemn anyone who believes that salvation is by grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8). Rather, I’m defending the natural conclusion of this salvation “unto good works” (See Ephesians 2:10).  I also want to confront the use of unBiblical and theologically misleading terminology that has, in fact, produced an antinomian theology in many evangelical churches. This kind of lazy theological talk is the gateway to the apostate hyper-grace and prosperity gospels.

The answer to our question is that righteous works are the necessary fruit of salvation because faith without works is dead.