“So long as they believe.” “So long as you go to church.” These two statements can be heard in churches across the US. They both represent two ideas in theology. More often than not they are set against each other like two boxers in a ring with Christians rooting for one to win. As much as we hear how opposed one is to the other, we need both and we need both to work together. We can think of them as a hand and a sword.
The first fancy term we’ll use is fides qua (FEE-des KWA). This is faith that holds onto God’s Word, the faith which believes. It’s like a hand that clings to God’s promises. This is what makes a Christian a Christian. So when someone says, “So long as they are Christian” this is what they mean. So long as they have faith (fides qua) then they are saved.
The next fancy term we will use is the fides quae (FEE-des KWAY). This is what someone refers to when they say “The Faith” as in “keep the faith”, i.e. the faith which is believed. This is like the sword that does the cutting. When people see it, foes tremble and friends rejoice.
Here’s how it often plays out in churches today. Some people demand we go by the book (quae) and if you go by the book, all is well. Some people demand that as long as you are in the library (qua) that’s good enough. Why is this a problem?
Let’s take fides qua first. If all we need is faith and that’s good enough then we run into some problems. Let’s say a missionary is sent out by a coalition of churches from different denominations. Let’s say some people are converted. Great! Now what are they taught about baptism? Is it the person’s outward expression of an inward change (ornament) or is it God’s physical means of delivering forgiveness (sacrament)? Is the Lord’s Supper only a remembrance meal or is it also the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins? If we answer “who cares” to these questions then we are disregarding the Word of the Lord. This is unfaithful (Matthew 28:19-20). If all we care about is “that they have faith” then we are basically saying we are a limp wrist without any sword in hand to defend off devilish error. Doctrine is our protection against wolves in sheep’s clothing. Not only that but saying “so long as they have Jesus” elevates ‘having faith’ over and above what it is we actually believe in! We end up having faith in faith instead of THE faith. It’s like being on a leaky raft adrift at sea and the guy next to you says, “At least we’re not drowning.”
Fides qua (the hand) is more popular in our society today. So when we Lutherans say our sword (fides quae) is symbolized in the Lutheran Confessions, we are looked on as bullies because no one else has a sword. Yet when danger to souls and consciences rears its ugly head, people come running to a place of security. Those churches that have abandoned doctrine for unity may gain in numbers for a time but history reveals that those are the churches that vanish into the world. Those churches that have given up doctrine for unity’s sake often melt away in a blob of moral generalities, looking and sounding just like non-Christians. In a culture living in constant change and fads we desperately need to trust in God’s unchanging Word.
So what about those fides quae only guys? Those who teach only fides quae believe it doesn’t matter if you have faith so long as you are here. So long as you go by the rules, you’re in. So long as everyone can see the sword on the mantle, we’re safe. So having fides quae alone means someone has taped off a corner of the library and claims it is the only true library and the rest is a pile of trash. In this mindset you’re saved if you’re lucky enough to be standing on the correct side of the line. Obviously this is wrong. We are saved by grace through faith. Therefore one is not saved because they always go to church or because they are Lutheran. God gives us faith to trust in His Word, all of it. This means that there are Christians who are saved by God’s Word across all Christian denominations.
The Hand of faith (qua) and the Sword of doctrine (quae) were meant to go together. Faith trusts in all of God’s teachings. Did God create the world in 6 days? Can Jesus be in multiple places at once? Does God predestine people or do we choose to be saved? These are important questions and there are many more. Faith can only come by hearing the Word (Romans 10:14-15). Once saved, God expects us to keep His Word holy (Romans 16:17 and also see the 2nd petition of the Lord’s Prayer in Luther’s Small Catechism). That means that there is more to God’s Word than “Jesus died and rose for you”. Now, everything in scripture points to Jesus and His work but God offers more. Faith grasps all the promises of God. The hand clings to the sword. Through this combination God gives strength to faith and swings this double edged sword to defend us and attack the evil one. Do we throw the sword away so we all get along and don’t hurt people’s feelings? If we do that, there is no way to know what God’s will is or isn’t. How will we know if we are teaching what God wants? The devil is happy to define God’s Word for you. Pure doctrine, teaching, is our protection against false teaching and the devil. Unity in the church without obeying all of God’s Word is not Christian unity but unity of this world.
Do you know what you believe about Baptism? Do you know what you believe about the Lord’s Supper? Do you know the Ten Commandments by heart? Do you understand what the Lord’s Prayer is saying? What do you confess in the Creeds? Is a pastor’s pronouncement of forgiveness God’s forgiveness? All of these things Luther considered the essential basics of God’s Word. They are our Sword. I am sure you have faith but what is your faith in? Open your Small Catechism. Hold it tight and read it. Keep it close at hand as a sure defense against the devil and false teachings. As we do our faith grips tight to our sure and certain hope of God’s promises. Unless of course you’d rather fight the devil with your bare hands…