TS
You have subtly changed the basis of the discussion from knowing what is right to doing what is right. Pelagius argued that humanity was not affected by Adam's transgression, (as the Bible clearly says we are) and does not, therefore require "Grace" to meet the requirements of a Holy and Righteous God. The problem with humanity with respect to Righteousness, is not in the knowing, but in the doing. Christianity, (by the way, are you Christ-ophobic? what's with the x) maintains that not only are Pagans unrighteous and damned to Hell by a Righteous and Holy God, but in fact Religious people are in the same predicament. The reason for this, is that, although they are aware of Gods standards, they to fail to meet them. You really should avail yourself of the opportunity to read Paul's letter to the Romans. Your lack of understanding really is profound. If you are going to criticize Christianity, you might at least take the time to characterize it's central belief correctly. Paul spends the first three chapters of Romans showing that there is no one, (Greek without the Bible, Jew with the Bible), who even comes close living the kind of life that they themselves acknowledge that they should. I have included the conclusion to Paul's argument for your edification.
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--
he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. |
