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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Synod
Tracking synod from home – Even if you can’t make it to synod, you can enjoy the speakers and stay on top of events. Here’s how:
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AnglicanTV plans to webcast synod and the consecrations, so check out the agenda and make a note of which events you want to watch live on the AnglicanTV website. |
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Photos will be posted to our website even during synod. |
Synod business – With the focus on the consecration of our new bishops-elect, the business portion of synod will be relatively light this year.
Synod banners – The team of artists at St Hilda’s have been busy creating exquisite banners for synod. Each ANiC parish has been asked to participate by creating a three-foot-high section of banner representing their church. These will be attached to one of the 12 foot banners created by the St Hilda’s team of artists.
Clergy spouses – An optional session will be held during synod specifically for spouses of clergy – likely scheduled for the afternoon of November 12. In addition to getting better acquainted, spouses will have the opportunity to discuss how to better support and encourage one another.
Installation services for bishops
Following the consecration of ANiC’s three bishops-elect on Friday in St Catharines, they will be installed at the following services:
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Bishop Charles Masters – at St George's, Burlington on Sunday, November 15 at 4pm |
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Bishop Stephen Leung – at Good Shepherd, Vancouver on Saturday, November 21 at 2pm |
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Bishop Trevor Walters is – at St Matthew's, Abbotsford on Sunday, November 22 at 3pm |
Archbishop Greg and Sylvia
Please pray for Archbishop Greg’s wife Sylvia who is not in good health. Pray for Archbishop Greg as he cares for her on top of his responsibilities in the Southern Cone.
Parish news
Faith Anglican (Embrun, ON) is temporarily meeting above the local arena since the school in which they had been meeting was closed to outside groups due to the H1N1 outbreak. Please pray that the H1N1 outbreak will be contained quickly so that they can return to meeting in the Cambridge Public School.
New Brunswick visit planned
Bishop-elect Charlie Masters and his wife Judy will be visiting ANiC friends in New Brunswick December 1-4 – including a visit to Taylor College (Saint John) on Wednesday, December 2. Anyone wishing to meet with them during that time is invited to call him at 1-905-691-2259 to make an appointment.
Graphic Standards manual now available
If your parish currently uses (or will use) ANiC’s logo on any print or electronic communications, please consult the newly published Graphic Standards manual for guidelines on how to use the logo – and other graphic materials – correctly. Through the consistent and correct use of ANiC’s graphics – especially our logo – we can build a strong visual identity for ANiC. Copies will be available at Synod for ANiC parishes and projects.
Also, if your parish or project needs assistance with communication or graphics, please email Marilyn or call 1-866-351-2642 extension 4020.
Calendar of upcoming events – for your interest and prayer support
Nov 8 – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Nov 9 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – St John’s Shaughnessy, 1490 Nanton, Vancouver
Nov 10 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – St Simon’s, 2630 Walpole Cres, N Vancouver
Nov 10 – Halifax, NS - Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Nov 11-13 – ANiC synod and conference, St Catharines, ON
Nov 12 – Moncton, NB - Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Nov 13 – Consecration of three ANiC bishops, St Catharines, ON
Nov 15, 4pm – Installation of newly consecrated Bishop Charlie Masters at St George’s Lowville
Nov 15, 10:30am – St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) marks 50th anniversary with special service
Nov 21, 2pm – Installation of Bishop Stephen Leung at Good Shepherd, Vancouver
Nov 22, 3pm – Installation of Bishop Trevor Walters at St Matthew’s Abbotsford
Mar 16 -18 – Annual ANiC clergy retreat at Cedar Springs (near Abbotsford, BC)
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Archbishop Duncan welcomes Sydney’s affirmation of full communion
Archbishop Bob Duncan welcomed the Diocese of Sydney’s declaration that it was in communion with the Anglican Church in North America. However, the AEC blog reports that a similar motion at the Diocese of Melbourne’s recent synod was narrowly defeated.
GAFCON video
The 50 minute video documentary produced by BBC before and during GAFCon is available for viewing on the Diocese of Sydney website. Despite its obvious agenda, the video is interesting.
Baroness Cox to be patron of US-based Anglican Relief and Development Fund
Baroness Caroline Cox has joined the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) as Honorary Chair. She is a high profile Anglican, former deputy speaker of Great Britain’s House of Lords, and a champion for the cause of the weak and defenseless. ARDF-Canada (ARDFC) is seeking charitable status for a “mirror” organization in Canada which could take on international mission and aid projects in partnership with international Anglican dioceses and bishops. Please pray that officials at CRA will see ARDFC purposes are fully charitable and approve registration soon.
What does it mean to be in “full communion”?
Following the Diocese of Sydney’s announcement that it wanted to be in full communion with the Anglican Church in North America, Bishop Glenn Davies (North Sydney) discusses what it means in practical terms. His synopsis: “It generally means that an ordained person can move from one church to another, without being re-ordained…. Would we re-ordain a presbyter, who wanted to minister in Sydney and who was currently in good standing in the ACNA? Certainly not! We would readily receive such a person as a validly ordained presbyter. Furthermore, Canons David Short and Jim Packer each hold a licence in our Diocese (both being canons of St Andrew’s Cathedral), notwithstanding their having been defrocked by the Diocese of New Westminster.”
Legal update
Legal briefs have been in a filed in the San Joaquin case in which the ACNA diocese and the recently formed TEC diocese are arguing over whether a diocese can leave TEC – as San Joaquin under Bishop John David Schofield voted to do in 2007. In discussing the case, A S Haley says, “The importance of this appeal for the [Episcopal] Church's litigation with other dioceses cannot be overemphasized. At issue in the San Joaquin, Fort Worth, Pittsburgh and Quincy cases is whether a Diocese of the Church may leave it by amending its Constitution. The current [TEC] leadership… is contending that once it joins the Church, a Diocese must forever remain a part of that organization. It has neither language nor logic on its side, but it still makes the argument. The California Fifth District Court of Appeal will in all likelihood be the first appellate court in any State to evaluate the merits of [TEC’s] case.”
Diocese of Pittsburgh convention takes legal persecution in stride
The ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh is reported to be taking a surprisingly lighthearted view of its current litigation woes. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, “there was laughter over the litigation and its possible consequences… Despite the collection for legal expenses, there were no pep talks about the likely success of the appeal. Instead, Archbishop Duncan said it was a sign of spiritual courage and that members of the Anglican Church in North America were prepared to give up their buildings if necessary… Archbishop Duncan predicted that the 21st century will be an "Anglican century" because Anglicanism embraces evangelical faith in the Bible, tradition that stems from a Catholic heritage and a Pentecostal reliance on the Holy Spirit. "Let's bless our enemies and move forward," he said.”
New York Times interviews Archbishop Duncan
In a rather confrontational interview the Times reporter ask Archbishop Bob Duncan:
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About the Vatican’s recent offer – “I am very pleased that the Vatican has done this, but my call now is to lead all those Anglicans who stand where Anglicans have always stood.” |
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About his opposition to the ordination of Bishop Gene Robinson – “…the problem is he’s leading a whole generation astray. I don’t believe he should be a bishop.” |
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About his supposed deposition by Presiding Bishop Schori – “…what’s interesting is that virtually no one in the Anglican world accepted that sentence. Within two weeks of being deposed, I was received at Lambeth Palace in London by the archbishop of Canterbury, who continues to consider me a bishop.” |
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About his upbringing – “My family knew a lot of turmoil… My mother was emotionally disturbed …There were times when I was not sure I’d wake up in the morning because of her violence.” |
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About the litigation – “There is an ongoing lawsuit. They may get the stuff, but we’ll get the souls. They may get the past, but we’ve got the future.” |
ACNA in the news
Daily Pilot, Newport Beach, CA – Nov 1 2009 – Bishop is ordained before hundreds
Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Nov 4 2009 – Episcopal Diocese releases secessionist clergy from vows
Living Church – Nov 5 2009 – Former TEC dioceses welcome congregations
Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Nov 8 2009 – Anglican diocese to expand, cut costs
News shorts – Canada
Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) House of Bishops study declining membership
A report released by the ACoC bishops following their recent meeting – held jointly with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Conference of Bishops – indicates that a focus was, “…reflected on the fact that the two churches are engaged in similar processes of structural renewal in light of declining members and declining finances.” The Rev Dr Gary Nicolosi, congregational development officer for the diocese of British Columbia was brought in to address the issue and challenged the bishops “…to think about new approaches…that can assist us to focus on congregational development and growth.” The bishops conclude, “We are encouraged by the tone and content of this meeting which allowed us to focus more on broad themes of leadership and mission than we have done in the past.”
Media roundup – Canada
Anglican Journal – Oct 30 2009 – Ottawa church can offer blessing to married same-sex couples
News shorts – United States
Communion Partner bishop sues ACNA church
Bishop Bauerschmidt (Tennessee), who reportedly is among the so-called “Communion partner bishops” in the Episcopal Church, is pursuing a congregation in court to seize the parish’s property.
The Episcopal Church (TEC) executive council rejects Covenant
The Church of England reports that, while several TEC diocese have endorsed the current draft of the Covenant, “The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has unanimously endorsed a report that rejects the proposed disciplinary provisions of section IV of the Anglican Covenant.” Their response was that “The “majority of [diocesan] deputations and individual deputies” were “not convinced” that the “covenant in its current form will bring about deeper communion.”
Media roundup – US
Church of England Newspaper – Oct 30 2009 – Two US dioceses back Anglican Covenant
Tennessean – Nov 1 2009 – Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee sues to reclaim church
Anglican Curmudgeon – Oct 31 2009 – A documentary history of ECUSA’s constitution
Savannah Now – Oct 30 2009 – Thou shalt not steal
News shorts – International
More responses to Vatican offer
ANiC member and church historian Dr George Egerton has written an article on the implications of the Vatican’s recent offer to disaffected Anglicans. He says in part:
“We can see the Vatican has proved itself capable, given its long experience with ethnic diversity, of adapting its structures to make reasonable accommodations, while insisting on the preservation of its doctrinal teaching and the authority of its magisterium.
“By contrast, Anglicanism has proved incapable of maintaining classic Christian teachings on an array of issues, most notably on sexual and marital ethics, while simultaneously refusing to adapt its territorial episcopacy and national structures to allow conservatives extraordinary forms of episcopal oversight with adequate jurisdiction. One of the principal arguments presented by the revisionist Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada against episcopal innovations to accommodate conservative Anglicans was that such action would violate the traditional status of a territorial episcopacy. Clearly, there were limitations to the revisionists' imagination, and the Vatican's offer illustrates what is possible when there is charity and goodwill.
“The departure of Anglo-Catholics will not have massive numerical or theological impact in the United States or Canada where Anglican demographics are already in free-fall. But in Britain, their reception by Rome will change the nature of the Church of England and profoundly affect Anglican - Roman Catholic relations… Without its Anglo-Catholics, the Church of England will be left with an already dominant liberal hierarchy much more entrenched and determined to extend its revisionist agenda…
“With the departure to Rome of most of the Anglo-Catholics, the increasing institutional entrenchment of the revisionists within the Church of England, and the spreading momentum of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Archbishop Williams' leadership seems stressed beyond capacity. Anglicanism, in Canada and globally, seems at a tipping point. Perhaps next summer's General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada will serve as a microcosm of things to come for first world Anglicanism, as the global Anglican Communion is facing both the end of the old Reformation for Anglo-Catholics, and a new reformation for confessing Anglicans.”
The Economist seems to agree with Dr Egerton’s assessment in its succinct and balanced overview of the impact of the Vatican’s offer. The article includes the following comments:
“Hitherto, an uneasy alliance of low-church evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics has struggled to resist liberal Anglicanism. “This will change the balance in the Church of England in favour of the liberals,” says Jonathan Bartley of Ekklesia, a think-tank. “The evangelicals won’t go to Rome and they may now be abandoned by their Anglo-Catholic allies.” Some think (or fear) that as many as one in seven Church of England priests could convert.
“The effect on the Catholic church may also be far-reaching. With the pope signalling a readiness to give married prelates the authority, if not the status, of bishops, it may be asked how long he can hold the line on priestly celibacy in the Western Church. Celibacy is widely ignored in Africa and Latin America.”
StandFirm in Faith blogger, the Rev Matt Kennedy explains why he thinks the Vatican’s offer is a good thing:
“I am having a real hard time understanding the angst and anger among some of my fellow Anglicans regarding the Apostolic Constitution… Why be upset? Do Anglicans really want people to remain Anglican simply because it is too difficult, procedurally, to convert to Rome? No thank you. I don't want half-hearted Anglicans. Should the papal offer result in more Anglicans becoming Roman, it will not be the pope's fault. Our house is simply not in order. Not only is the Anglican Communion theologically compromised by the ongoing inclusion of the Episcopal Church, bold, heavyweight, apologies for Anglicanism are few and far between. The last generation of Anglicans produced giants like Dr. JI Packer and John Stott--men recognized and lauded far beyond the Anglican world as powerful defenders of Christian truth--living illustrations of the intellectual and spiritual fruitfulness of the Anglican way.”
Other media coverage:
The American – Nov 4 2009 – Judging from the attacks, the Vatican must be on to something
Telegraph – Nov 5 2009 – Pope’s…offer accepted by Traditional Anglican Communion in Britain
Desperate situation in the Sudan chronicled
The Institute for Religion and Democracy has posted an excellent article that chronicles recent attacks on Christians in the Sudan, including the targeted killing of an Anglican Archdeacon, and explores the political motivation behind the ongoing violence and instability in the country. Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul is quoted saying, "In the view of the church, this was not a tribal conflict as commonly reported, but a deliberately organized attack on civilians by those that are against the peace in Southern Sudan."
In clear violation of the negotiated Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Islamic government in Khartoum, northern Sudan, appears to be waging an aggressive proxy war against the south. “Reports claim that Khartoum recruits and arms proxy militias to destabilize the South, killing civilians and scattering its people once again. At the same time, the Islamist regime uses money and promises of power to divide Southerners against each other. In this way Khartoum may demonstrate that the South, scheduled for a secession referendum in 2011, cannot govern itself… the UN reports that the rate of violent deaths in South Sudan now surpasses that in Darfur. Lise Grande, UN Deputy Resident Coordinator in Southern Sudan, recently said more than 2,000 people had died and 250,000 had been displaced by inter-ethnic violence across the region.”
News from around the Communion
Church of England - The Times reports that clergy in the Church of England face an uncertain pension future. “The increased longevity of the clergy, combined with greater regulation and the credit crunch, has left the Church’s new pension scheme with liabilities of £813 million, nearly almost double the £461 million market value of its assets… In February the General Synod will debate a proposal to raise the clergy retirement age and to increase from 40 to 43 the length of service that must be given before a full pension can be claimed.”
The Guardian reports that “bestselling author and Anglican priest… GP Taylor, whose children's book Shadowmancer became an international bestseller and is being turned into a film, accused the church of sinking "into a liberal pit that was no earthly use and offered no hope, no love and no grace".” Taylor announced that he is accepting the Vatican’s offer and will convert to Roman Catholicism. “He accused bishops of spending "more time preaching about climate change" than teaching the Gospel and also hit out at Dr Rowan Williams for how he had dealt with splits within the church: "Stupidly, the archbishop of Canterbury has tried to paper over the cracks and keep the church together. He should have had the courage to allow the church to become disestablished and split. The evangelicals, traditionalists and Anglo-Catholics could go one way and the Liberals the other."
Church of Sweden – The soon to be installed Bishop of Stockholm, a woman who has chosen the lesbian lifestyle, won’t have senior level Church of England representation at the service. The Local, a Swedish newspaper, reports that bishops from England and Northern Ireland have declined invitations. However, “representatives from the churches of South Africa, the Philippines, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Germany have indicated they plan to attend Sunday's ordination.”
Nigeria – Archbishop-elect Nicholas Okoh gives a lengthy media interview in which he discusses his own army background and the problems of tribalism in Nigeria and how these affect the church.
Uganda – Proposed Ugandan government legislation on homosexuality has generated interest from western ‘homosexual rights’ groups who have attempted to leverage this legislation to score points back home. As a result, the Church of Uganda, under Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, has issued a statement regarding its position on this legislation. They say they are still studying the legislation; affirm that homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture and is immoral; state the Church does not support the death penalty; and that the Church is committed to being a safe place for those with “sexual disorientation” to find counseling and healing.
Zambia – “The Bishop of Eastern Zambia has denounced political leaders who use public office to enrich themselves at the expense of their country,” reports the Church of England Newspaper. The Rt Rev William Mchombo called on politicians to turn from corruption and serve the interests of the people. Describing the financial disparity in the country, he said, they “live in a world today where a few people swim in riches and the majority drown in poverty, pollution, disease and violence.”
Media roundup – international
Church Report – Oct 31 2009 – Vatican: Pope to meet Anglican chief
Daily Mail – Nov 3 2009 – Church of England squandered… pensions in…stock market gamble
Soul food
Resources
Faithfulness in evangelism – Hear a five-minute testimony to what God can do through a faithful, witness over 40 years. “The man from George Street” is one of the most inspiring testimonies you’ll ever hear of how God can work through one person’s faithfulness.
Community outreach idea – An Australian church is gift-wrapping hundreds of copies of the Gospel of Luke and presenting these to homes in the community this Christmas. However, it is not a “stand-alone” activity; they are tying these Christmas gifts into previous – and future – events by including with the packages a Christmas card that both thanks the community for helping with the church’s earlier food drive and also invites everyone to church services over the Advent season.
Prayer for the persecuted church
The American Thinker has published a sobering review of the systemic persecution of Christians in Muslim countries, calling it “the new Holocaust”. In addition to giving example after example of this persecution, the article says:
“Some of the oldest Christian communities in the world are subject to relentless attack and teeter on the brink of extinction at the hands of the "Religion of Peace": Palestinian Christians in Gaza and the West Bank; Assyrian, Syriac and Chaldean Christians in Iraq; Coptic Christians in Egypt; Evangelical and Orthodox Christians in Eastern Ethiopia and Eritrea; Armenian Orthodox Christians in Turkey; and Maronite Christians in Lebanon.
“Several of these communities date back to the beginning decades of Christianity and all have weathered wave after wave of Islamic persecution for centuries and more, but in the very near future some will simply cease to exist…
“Inspired by Muslim Brotherhood ideology and fueled by billions of Wahhabi petrodollars, the religious cleansing of Christians from the Muslim world is continuing at a break-neck pace…”
Please read the article and PRAY for these persecuted Christians.
Worth reading
A S Haley provides an insightful overview of the hypocrisy and inherent inconsistencies in some politically correct positions – specifically related to Islam and homosexuality.
Issues related to God’s design for His creation
Homosexual lifestyle – An interview with a former leader in the gay activist movement, Michael Glatze, offers interesting insight into the mindset of those caught in the homosexual lifestyle and how they can be transformed.
Abortion – God is answering prayer as a handful of abortion workers have recently left their jobs and become Christians – including an abortion clinic director in Texas. Planned Parenthood responded by getting a court injunction gagging the ex-director.
The Daily Telegraph reports that, “Researchers in New Zealand who examined the medical history of over 500 women concluded abortion “leads to significant distress in some” and that those reporting adverse reactions were up to 80 per cent more likely to have mental health problems.” The University of Otago study concluded: “This evidence raises important questions about the practice of justifying termination of pregnancy on the grounds that this procedure will reduce risks of mental health problems in women having unwanted pregnancy… The findings of the present study suggest that abortion may, in fact, increase mental health risks among those women who find seeking and obtaining an abortion a distressing experience.”
LifeSiteNews reports that a Canadian Member of Parliament has launched a petition to stop government funding of International Planned Parenthood Federation – “the world's largest abortion provider” and promoter. In October, African Roman Catholic bishops expressed their concern about this type of foreign aid which is “tied to promoting abortion, contraception and cutbacks in social and educational programs”, saying these are a form of cultural imperialism. The MP, Brad Trost (Saskatoon-Humboldt), has provided a petition which can be downloaded from his website.
Euthanasia – In “Euphemisms don’t hide euthanasia’s dark intent”, National Post columnist Barbara Kay discusses the likely erosion in societal respect for life with the increased acceptance of euthanasia – and the deceptive rhetoric used by advocates to gain that support.
Also in the National Post, Charles Lewis writes, “A decision by the medical regulatory body of Quebec to support legalized euthanasia in “exceptional situations” raises grave concern about crossing ethical boundaries that violate the fundamental duty of physicians…” Lewis reports many responded to this decision with concern, including Dr Jeff Blackmer from the Canadian Medical Association’s office of ethics, who said, “I am concerned that a physicians’ group would come out so unequivocally and say they are in favour of it.” Senator Sharon Carstairs expressed a fear that legalizing euthanasia would impede efforts to improve palliative care. And David Roy, a professor of medical ethics in Montreal, is quoted saying, “When you open the door to euthanasia, there’s no way to control how widely that door will open or whether or not it will come entirely off its hinges.”
Human trafficking – The Vancouver 2010 Olympic events are expected to bring more sex trade workers to the city – some against their will. The National Post reports that Christian groups, including the Salvation Army, are leading the charge on anti-trafficking campaigns in advance of the Olympics. The article states, “A 2008 report by the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) states that “across the country, organized crime networks are actively trafficking Canadian-born women and underage girls inter and intra-provincially, and in some instances to the United States, destined for the sex trade… according to the RCMP, 800 to 1,200 people are trafficked [in Canada] every year, while there are activists placing the number as high as 15,000 annually.”
Just for fun
The morning of the big parade, a man and a little boy entered a barber shop together.
"Give me the full treatment," the man said. "I want to look good in the parade!"
After the man received a shave, manicure, and haircut, he placed the boy in the chair. "I'm going to buy a new tie to wear for the parade," he said. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
When the boy's haircut was done and the man still hadn't returned, the barber said, "It looks like your daddy forgot all about you."
"That wasn't my daddy," said the boy. "He just walked up, took me by the hand and said, 'Come on, son, we're gonna get a free haircut!'"
Courtesy of www.mikeysFunnies.com
Please pray...
For our November 11-13 synod – for preparations, speakers, delegates and guests.
For the three bishops-elect to be consecrated November 13 and for their preparation for ministry.
For the many ANiC projects, church plants and parishes.
For wisdom as ANiC seeks to find more effective ways of ministering to and encouraging “Orphaned Anglicans” who have no orthodox Anglican church in their community.
That we would share the Good News with those around us who need to meet our Lord & Saviour.
For the legal cases
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For Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher as he reviews all the written material and considers his decision in the Vancouver court case. May God grant insight and discernment. |
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For the Windsor case (involving St Aidan’s) which is being dealt with in London. |
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For the remaining issues being negotiated following the arbitration hearing involving St George’s, St Hilda’s and Good Shepherd in Southern Ontario. |
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For the congregations involved in court proceedings and disputes. Pray for peace, particularly for the wardens and trustees who are on the front lines and bear the burden of responsibility. Pray for a continued focus on, and blessing upon, their ministry in the midst of this turmoil. |
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For sufficient contributions to the Legal Defence Fund so that legal costs can be covered and the churchwardens and trustees are not at personal financial risk. The Ontario parishes, in particular, need greater financial support at this time. |
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For the leaders and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing eviction of and damages against ANiC congregations and wardens in court. |
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For repentance and healing, and that those being persecuted will be able to forgive so there can be hope for future reconciliation. |
For the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (Canada) and those in government who are considering the application for charitable status.
For the Anglican Church in North America and it s dioceses.
For the persecuted church around the world and Christians who are suffering for their faith.
For our national, provincial and civic leaders as well as for our nation of Canada. May God be pleased to grant repentance and cause a revival to sweep our land.
And now a word from our sponsor
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 2:14-26 (ESV)
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