Last evening, Saturday, 16 August, 2025 I was having a family dinner with Professor Dr Ong Wei Yi who is my nephew from the National University of Singapore.
He was here in Kuala Lumpur with his pharmacist wife Lim Siew Mei for a two day conference on Neuroanatomy where he presented a paper.
During dinner we talked about Christianity, and he being a Christian probably belonging to the protestant church told me we receive Salvation from Jesus through faith alone. I did not discuss this one single sentence further with him as I seldom see him, and there were so many other stories to talk about.
Today, being a Sunday, 18 August 2025 I had lunch with my nephew Vincent Lee who was also present during dinner last evening. He told me his late wife (my niece) and their daughter are both Catholic.
After lunch I decided to remain at home to pen my personal view all day long till night on this, both from the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox point of view.
I would now like to dedicate my independent thoughts to Wei Yi and probably for Vincent's daughter also, though she was absent for dinner or lunch
Here's my combination thoughts guided silently through my still small voice:
Faith, Works, and the Still Small Voice: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Perspectives on Salvation
Abstract
The question of salvation is, whether by faith, works, or both, has long divided Christians. Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox believers who hold different emphases, yet all agree that authentic faith must express itself in love and action.
Catholics:
Salvation is a lifelong process through faith, good works, and sacraments (James 2:17; Matthew 25:31–46).
Protestants:
Salvation is by grace through faith alone (sola fide), not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet, true faith always produces fruit (James 2:18).
Orthodox:
Salvation is theosis (union with God), where faith transforms the believer into Christ-likeness, expressed in love (John 13:35).
All three traditions recognize the role of conscience, namely, the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) — guiding believers to act in mercy and compassion. Without faith, conscience falls silent; without conscience, works lose meaning; without works, faith is dead (James 2:26).
The Catholic View
The Catholic Church teaches that salvation is a lifelong journey involving faith, good works, and the sacraments. Faith opens the door to God’s grace, but grace must be lived out in action.
“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).
Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and the Goats teaches that those who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick will inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:31–46).Conscience is central in Catholic teaching, described as “the inner voice of God’s law written on our hearts” (Romans 2:15). Catholics believe that to ignore conscience is to turn away from God. Faith, guided by conscience, naturally bears fruit in works of mercy.
The Protestant View
Protestants emphasize salvation by grace through faith alone (sola fide). They turn often to Paul’s words:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Good works cannot earn salvation. However, genuine faith is never idle. As James challenges:“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
For Protestants, conscience is guided by Scripture alone (sola Scriptura). Faith awakens the heart, and conscience confirms the call to love and service. Luther himself said that “faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing,” always bearing good fruit (Galatians 5:6).
The Orthodox View
The Eastern Orthodox Church understands salvation as theosis , a lifelong process of becoming united with God. Faith begins this journey, but it must grow through prayer, worship, and works of love.
Jesus said: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). To believe in Christ is to walk as He walked, showing mercy, forgiving, and healing.
Orthodox spirituality calls conscience the “eye of the soul.” But sin can darken it (John 3:19–21). Through prayer, fasting, and sacraments (like confession and Eucharist), conscience is purified, enabling believers to follow God’s will more fully.
Good works are not “duties” but the natural overflow of divine love. As Paul writes: “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
A Comparative Glance
| Aspect | Catholic Church | Protestant Churches | Eastern Orthodox Church |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | Bible (73 books) + Tradition + Magisterium (Pope, bishops). | Bible alone (sola Scriptura, 66 books). | Bible (Septuagint tradition) + Holy Tradition (Fathers, liturgy). |
| Salvation | Faith + works + sacraments (James 2:17; Matthew 25:31–46). | Grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9); works as fruit (James 2:18). | Theosis: lifelong union with God (2 Peter 1:4). |
| Faith | Opens grace; must be lived out (Galatians 5:6). | Central and sufficient; true faith is active (Romans 3:28). | Seed of divine life, transforming into Christ-likeness (John 17:21). |
| Works | Necessary fruit; evidence of faith (James 2:26). | Evidence of faith, not basis of salvation (Ephesians 2:10). | Outflow of divine love (John 13:35). |
| Conscience | Inner voice of God’s law (Romans 2:15). | Guided by Scripture; confirms faith (Hebrews 9:14). | “Eye of the soul,” purified by prayer (1 Timothy 1:5). |
| Jesus’ Teachings | Matthew 25; Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). | John 3:16; Romans 5:1; James 2:18–26. | John 13:35; Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:36. |
Faith and Works Together
Despite differences, all traditions agree: faith and works cannot be separated. Jesus Himself never said “faith alone.” Instead, He tied faith to action:
1. The Good Samaritan: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:25–37).
2. The Rich Man and Lazarus: condemned for ignoring mercy (Luke 16:19–31).
3. The Sheep and the Goats: judged by acts of compassion (Matthew 25:31–46).
4. The Sermon on the Mount: blessed are the merciful, peacemakers, and pure in heart (Matthew 5:3–10).
*Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom, but he who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21).
5. To “believe in Him” (John 3:16) means to trust Him fully, follow His example, and live His teachings.
My Personal Conclusion
Faith, conscience, and works are not rivals but companions.
Faith is the root.
Conscience is the sap that carries life through the soul.
Good works are the fruit seen by the world.
Without faith, conscience falls silent; without conscience, works lose meaning; without works, faith is barren (James 2:26).
Though Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox differ in emphasis, the call of Christ is the same: to let faith awaken conscience, and let conscience lead to works of mercy, for in doing so, we walk in His footsteps.
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