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In my area, there is this concept that one can pray away any bad situation and do absolutely nothing to achieve a result. This concept is foreign to me because nowhere in the OT or the NT is such a concept found. The book of James clearly shows salvation is tied to works, in that one is saved by Grace alone, but extended through works. The OT has no story about faith alone, every story is set up to show faith operates through works done by an individual or group. So where does this concept of grace with no works come from? Both are tied to each other, and throwing a universalism idea on top of the Bible that anything can be prayed away just makes Christians easy pickings for other groups looking to subvert Christianity. Ironically, coming from the midwest, i couldnt find such a concept being practiced by any church i went to. This universalistic, pray away your problem only seems to exist in super liberal states

In my area, there is this concept that one can pray away any bad situation and do absolutely nothing to achieve a result. This concept is foreign to me because nowhere in the OT or the NT is such a concept found. The book of James clearly shows salvation is tied to works, in that one is saved by Grace alone, but extended through works. The OT has no story about faith alone, every story is set up to show faith operates through works done by an individual or group. So where does this concept of grace with no works come from? Both are tied to each other, and throwing a universalism idea on top of the Bible that anything can be prayed away just makes Christians easy pickings for other groups looking to subvert Christianity. Ironically, coming from the midwest, i couldnt find such a concept being practiced by any church i went to. This universalistic, pray away your problem only seems to exist in super liberal states

(post is archived)

[–] • 2 pts

I don't know if this is tied to your question, but I see some tv religions advocating that you have to believe and have faith the right way to unlock something or other power of God. Then they sell you the book on how to believe/pray (control God). They sell that the problem is you, you're not doing something right.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

The book of James clearly shows salvation is tied to works

You are dead in your sins. I know I tell you this all the time, but man... it's bad.

You cannot earn or merit your salvation. James says that "YOU SEE that a man is justified by works." You see it. Not, "you see, XYZ" but "you are able to see that X has occurred."

Totally ridiculous reading of the passage, but completely believable. Maybe you should focus more on Galatians, i.e. the only city that didn't receive an honorary blessing/greeting from Paul in the letter. Their false gospel is the same as yours.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

The original idea is that when you get saved, works can be shown so there is a change. That is to say that faith and works work together in a way to show that one is saved. One is not able to be saved simply by works, or faith though. One can be saved and through the holy spirit stop drinking, however one can not stop drinking and claim to be saved simply because of the action. However, this point is completely lost upon most people, and instead even the faith based denominations focus too much on works and not faith

[–] • 0 pt

It's a bad interpretation. In all the stories in the Bible where someone pulled off something miraculous, they prayed before hand. All people do now is point to the prayer and claim He did something. The prayer did nothing more than clear his mind and allowed him to focus on his task at hand, this is interpreted as God intervening where there is no evidence that He intervened.

Add in that the people that are trying to enslave us, don't want us to recognize that John Doe in each story did something. God doesn't help people who do nothing.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

In all the stories in the Bible...

Acts 3:6

Peter just heals the man, no recorded prayer. Have you read the Bible, or even the NT, fully?

God doesn't help people who do nothing.

Ah, there's my answer. You clearly have NOT read the Bible.

To the one WHO DOES NOT WORK, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

We do exactly nothing. We are dead in our sins without the sacrifice of Jesus.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Peter called on Jesus Christ to heal a person, which is much more than what the common Christian does today. Nowadays, people see prayer as a get rich scheme, where you say some words, do some motions, and hey presto, prayer answered. They don't really have a connection with God himself, people much more idolize a God of their own beliefs, over actually believing in God himself.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Peter called on Jesus Christ to heal a person

No, you are twisting what it says. Peter doesn't talk to Jesus, ask Him anything, or order/command/beseech anything. The imperative is "WALK" and it's directed at the cripple. Of course Peter is a man of prayer and fellowship with Jesus, but don't read into the text something that isn't there.

If you want another example, consider Acts 14:8-10. Paul says "stand up" without any record of him praying before or directing anyone towards God/Jesus.

Perhaps you should be commended for your faith and prayer life. Your ability to reason and read the Bible at face value are lacking.

[–] • 0 pt

I love how people grab one specific verse that fits their message exactly and they live exactly to that verse.