Salvation and Works A Dilemma of African Christianity towards a Reconstruction Theology of Salvation

Abstract

The Reformers emphasized the theology of salvation by grace and faith alone (sola gracia and sola fidei). Yet the entire scripture teaches the correlation of works and salvation. The Reformers’ skew has led to antinomianism and anxiety among its followers. The anxious faithful ask the question: do I work or do I not? Will my good works account to nothing in my salvation? Who is responsible if I am not saved at the end? Wesley does not omit the place of works in salvation but other Reformers, for example John Calvin, do. The Wesleyan theology of salvation proposes a three tier level in the concept of salvation: justification, sanctification and glorification. It is at the second level that works apply and not at the first. The Reformers understood Paul’s theology as omitting works in the process of salvation. This article aims at reconstructing the Reformers’ interpretation of the doctrine of grace and works. It aims at correcting the Reformers’ erroneous hermeneutics through application of biblical exegesis in tracing the theme of grace and works from the Old Testament texts through to the New Testament scriptures. The article explicates the traditional African understanding of the place of works in salvation. It gives insights into African concept of salvation in which work is a key component in the process and means of salvation. The two perspectives are then juxtaposed against the sola gratia and sola fidei to develop a theology of salvation and works. A historical background to the doctrine of sola gracia and sola fidei is given so as to understand the reasons why the Reformers skewed their theology. A similar approach is given to the doctrine of grace as it develops through the scriptures. The research will be library based.