Among the foundational principles of the Protestant reformation were the “solas” (the Latin term for “alone”): faith alone, scripture alone, grace alone. The problem with that formulation is that there are some built-in conflicts. For example, the epistle of St. James declares that “faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” The scripture seems to contradict the principle of “faith alone” by insisting on both faith and works. Actually, once Catholics and Protestants stopped yelling at each other and entered into dialogue they found that there was common ground. All Christians are graced, gifted with the very life of God because of the salvation won for us in Christ and “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal 5:6).
