Faith and Logic: Thinking About Justification
Exploring the Connection Between Faith, Righteousness, and Action
Faith and Logic: Thinking About Justification
Yesterday, I attended a lively service at Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the excitement, I left feeling confused by the sermon and how it related to the deeper meanings in the Bible. I was there with a young Marine on his way to Camp Pendleton, and we both sensed something was off. This made me think about how some teachings, especially those from Reformed theology, can sometimes overlook the true depth of faith.
The sermon focused on the idea that we are made right with God through faith alone. While this is true, the way it was presented felt shallow and missed crucial details. Words like “faith,” “righteousness,” and “justification” were simplified too much. In Hebrew tradition, “righteousness” isn’t just a legal term; it means acting justly and living ethically in the world. It’s about following God’s laws and taking care of our community, as shown in Micah 6:8, which says God wants us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him.
This watered-down view of justification felt like a way to avoid responsibility. While it’s correct that Jesus’ sacrifice justifies us, this idea isn’t just about being declared innocent—it’s also about living a life that reflects God’s love and justice, fueled by true faith.
The Heart of Faith
In Hebrew, the word for faith (emunah) means more than just believing; it’s about trust and taking action. This kind of faith involves real experiences and relationships with God and others. For example, when Abraham believed in God, it wasn’t a passive belief—it led him to act.
Understanding Justification
The idea of justification (tzadak) in Hebrew is more than a legal term. It involves being in a trustworthy relationship with God and living according to His guidance. Some teachings reduce this to simple legal ideas, losing the deeper meaning of God’s faithfulness and our call to live righteously.
Isaiah 1:18 shows that justification includes a heart willing to change and live rightly. God desires more than just to declare us righteous; He wants us to live justly and act with integrity.
A Call to Think Again
The sermon at Calvary Community Church shows how easily important truths can be overshadowed by shallow teachings. Even though the church doesn’t fully embrace Reformed ideas, many of those concepts are still present, affecting how people understand core beliefs. Seeing justification merely as a legal matter can lead to complacency, making believers think they don’t need to act on their faith.
Paul warns in 2 Timothy 4:3 that people will seek comforting teachings that don’t challenge them. This can distract us from God’s true message. It’s important to engage with our faith seriously, as Paul advises in Philippians 2:12, urging us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Concluding Thoughts
As we think about the relationship between sound logic and real faith, we should carefully examine teachings that stray from biblical truths. Careless interpretations of justification can mislead us, pulling us away from what faith truly means in the Scripture.
We should aim for a faith that reflects God’s character—one that not only assures us of His love but also calls us to act in justice and love. Let’s seek understanding in the depths of Scripture and allow our faith to inspire real change in our lives. I encourage you to explore the video linked below and think critically about the ideas presented. Together, let’s seek the truth in our faith journey.
Original Version
Footnote / Afterthought:
After going to Calvary Community Church off and on, mostly on, for over thirty years, I’ve noticed that the way the church teaches and ministers has changed a lot. The church used to focus on a style called inductive Bible teaching, which helps people find personal meaning in Scripture themselves. Now, it seems like the pastors, especially Pastor Mark, are using simpler methods that may make it easier for people to connect but could give them a false sense of understanding about their faith.
A key issue is Pastor Mark’s idea of “easy believism,” which is a belief that faith is simpler than it really is. This week, he delivered a serious message about justification—a concept that can be challenging for many. He tried to make the message less responsive and more rewarding by focusing on how people feel about it, which suggests that he simplifies the meaning of belief too much.
Pastor Mark has even admitted that he doesn’t see any bad things happen with easy belief or justification and it is working in the lives of the church members. This suggests he is justifying his teaching style. The way he teaches now seems to focus more on emotional reactions instead of deep theological understanding, as shown in Proverbs 2:1-5. This might lead some, especially new believers, to misunderstand what real faith is.
For example, Pastor Mark claims to use inductive teaching when talking about Titus 3, but he seems to change the focus away from what the text is really saying about justification. This raises big questions about how this teaching affects the church’s understanding, growth, and message.
Titus 3:3–7 is very important in the overall message of that book, which emphasizes good doctrine and behavior, especially for church leaders. This part of the Bible reminds us that good actions come from God’s grace—not just from our own efforts.
Paul, the writer, insists that true faith leads to genuine actions. The push for good works and unity in Titus relies on the grace of God mentioned in this passage, showing that faith and actions are closely connected.
I haven’t been to the Wednesday night classes, which are also called inductive and led by Pastor Jason, but I’ve heard him during Sunday services. I think his teaching style fits with Pastor Mark’s simpler approach.