Grace and Works

Grace and Works

Galatians

The primary issue in Galatians is whether a person is justified by grace or works; central to the argument of the Epistle is that some unknown “Judaizer(s)” are binding the Jewish custom of circumcision on Gentile Christians as a means of gaining justification. Paul sets forth evidence that justification is brought on by faith and not by works of the Law or the Law itself.[1] This evidence consists of discussions regarding the status of the law and the anticipated coming of the Messiah. Therefore, the Law had its place to point the Hebrews to the need for the coming Christ.[2]

Martin Luther greatly influenced Reformation theology. He saw Galatians as an important work against what he viewed as "works-salvation" in the medieval Catholic church.[3] He was greatly influenced by Augustine who was subjective to Platonist ideas.[4] Luther began teaching that salvation was a product of the grace of God gained only through faith in Jesus.[5] John Calvin was a second-generation reformer who was influenced by Luther’s writings.[6] Much of the Reformation was built on Luther and Calvin’s “Protestant” interpretation of Galatians.[7]

Luther and Calvin’s work proved instrumental while challenging Restoration preachers such as Alexander Campbell to rethink traditional theology on grace. These preachers argued extensively (using Galatians and other epistles) against the Law of Moses as a legitimate source for forming a Christian church and against the Calvinist notion of “grace and works”.[8] Campbell and his heirs have always believed the OT, but it has been relegated, for the most part, to a footnote of Christianity. Some modern scholars vide for a “New Perspective on Paul.” This perspective argues that Paul’s polemical approach in Galatians has caused many to misinterpret his intentions and also include too much of Luther’s interpretations. [9]

In Galatians the apostle Paul is refuting false Christian brothers regarding the...