Markup /qa/722

Comment
You're thinking in a rigid legalistic view typical of western Christians. One may call it the opposite side of the same coin the pharisees were on. While the pharisees were working to redeem themselves and ear favor with God, reformers believe, rightfully, that a man cannot earn salvation. And in order to fit in the legalistic model, in error they reason that Christ was killed to "pay off" the wrathful father who had forsaken him on the cross, thus earning us salvation and absolving us of all sins. And if this is how salvation comes to us then works become irrelevant, out of the equation. This obviously doesn't seem right, so workarounds are constructed, such as saying "well work isn't required but if your faith is valid you will work" which ends up being rather circular, or the "well works earn a separate reward" which I honestly haven't heard before.

Then again, I am no theologian nor am I a member of the clergy, I am sure you can find a much more satisfactory explanation from one of those, or even on the internet.

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