If Faith Without Works Is Dead, Then the COC Is 6 Feet Under
Folks in the COC love to quote James 2:26: "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead." They primarily use this verse to attack Calvinism, specifically the doctrines of irresistible grace and unlimited atonement. Frankly, I don't know enough about Calvinism to know whether this attack is even valid, but that's how I've heard this verse used time and again. They'll say things like, "You can't just sit back and wait for God to save you. You have to do your part, too!" But what does the COC mean by "works"? What works are we supposed to do to prove that we have faith and to save ourselves?
In my experience, the COC usually defines works negatively, as things Christians refrain from doing, such as drinking, dancing, smoking, gambling, swearing, watching R-rated movies, and wearing immodest clothing. The only works that are defined positively (as actions to be performed) are being baptized, trying to convert others to the COC, and attending every worship service, where you must participate in the 5 acts of worship (singing, praying, giving your money to the church, listening to the sermon, and taking communion).
Nothing is said about charity in the larger community and performing good deeds apart from working within the church (for example, teaching children's classes, cleaning the building, or providing the communion elements). In fact, doing volunteer work or donating to charities other than the church is highly suspect in the COC. If the sole mission of the church is to convert more people (i.e., perpetuate itself), then any money or effort or time you give to another organization is akin to robbing the church of those things.
I wish the COC would read the entire book of James, because if you jump back a chapter, James tells us exactly what works we should be doing to prove our faith. Chapter 1 verse 27 reads, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." The COC likes the second half of that verse, because it ties in with the concept of negative works, but glosses over the first half. I guess it's just easier to sit back and judge the world than it is to get out there and try to make the world a better place, which is one of the many reasons I believe the COC is spiritually dead and completely beyond resuscitation.
In my experience, the COC usually defines works negatively, as things Christians refrain from doing, such as drinking, dancing, smoking, gambling, swearing, watching R-rated movies, and wearing immodest clothing. The only works that are defined positively (as actions to be performed) are being baptized, trying to convert others to the COC, and attending every worship service, where you must participate in the 5 acts of worship (singing, praying, giving your money to the church, listening to the sermon, and taking communion).
Nothing is said about charity in the larger community and performing good deeds apart from working within the church (for example, teaching children's classes, cleaning the building, or providing the communion elements). In fact, doing volunteer work or donating to charities other than the church is highly suspect in the COC. If the sole mission of the church is to convert more people (i.e., perpetuate itself), then any money or effort or time you give to another organization is akin to robbing the church of those things.
I wish the COC would read the entire book of James, because if you jump back a chapter, James tells us exactly what works we should be doing to prove our faith. Chapter 1 verse 27 reads, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." The COC likes the second half of that verse, because it ties in with the concept of negative works, but glosses over the first half. I guess it's just easier to sit back and judge the world than it is to get out there and try to make the world a better place, which is one of the many reasons I believe the COC is spiritually dead and completely beyond resuscitation.
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