Protestantism ushered in salvation by faith, sola fide, in contrast to Catholic orthodoxy. The Reformers taught that humanity is helpless to save itself by any act or work, and forgiveness as justification is an exercise in faith.
In its simplest context, man is helpless against sin, and no act or work, undertaken by man can achieve or atone for salvation. For to accept the gift of salvation, the transgressor of the law, each and every one of us, must recognize we are helpless to overcome the destiny of sin. Thus, in recognizing their impending mortality, humanity can embrace the depth of their Savior’s love, in substituting His sinless life for ours.
The simple experience of accepting salvation by faith seems to many too easy, and uncounted numbers who claim to be following Christ, virtually take the position that salvation is partly by faith in Christ's death on calvary and partly by human effort. (FW 12.5)
To limit the understanding of Salvation by Faith to the lone act of accepting salvation, would restrain the fullness of faith that can be experienced in a Christian’s journey. Certainly, salvation is an exercise of acceptance, not works. But, to experience the fullness of faith requires the individual to act on their faith—to encounter every societal norm and to move forward trusting in God’s promises.
Faith
Faith is believing that an omnipotent and loving God rules the world, not man. Faith is being kind to those who persecute you, for God loves them as much as He loves you. Winning them for Christ would be Heaven’s greatest joy. Faith is returning tithes and offerings when you are financially strapped. Faith is believing that the world to come is worth sacrificing our comforts in the present one for. Faith is believing that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power (Eph. 3:20). And faith is believing that no power on earth, no government, organization, or tribe of people can defer the blessings God has for us when we seek to honor Him.
…if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. (DA 371.1)
When an expert in the law approached Christ to query him regarding salvation, Christ affirmed his answer of acting on faith.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Luke 10:27).
Divine Love
Faith within salvation produces a heart desirous of actions in faith… in loving a God that loved each of us, though of our own accord, we are cosmically insignificant, passing mist (James 4:14). It was God’s love that made us of significance, it was His love that sent us His Son, it is His love that sustains the cosmos in order and programs every cell. It is in the faith of His love that we are challenged to defy societal norms and seek to serve our fellow man, to mission to a lost people.
Our recent Sabbath School lesson on Mission addressed this issue exceptionally well. Love is at the foundation of God’s governance in heaven and on earth. It is the burden placed on His children that defines their true faith in Him—that our faith is measured by our love for God and others. Through faith, we must extend love to others as much as we love ourselves. This runs in direct contrast with humanism.
Humanism
Whether it is Communism, Socialism, Totalitarianism, Critical Race Theory, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, or Evolution, at their core is a lack of faith in God. These secular social advancements are propagated on the premise that injustice can only be averted when humanity is subjugated to humanity.
Though illogical, society seeks relief from the sins of humanity by investing greater power in humanity. The inevitable downward spiral from seeking affirmation and self-worth within a morally vacant humanistic model leads to the proliferation of dissolution, depression, or worse. Like the drug addict who requires an ever-increasing amount of chemical stimulant, the humanist seeks to fill the ever-increasing emotional void with more humanism.
We can be no more successful at improving the world through humanistic measures (no matter how apparently justifiable) than a government can be at legislating morality. Before we can change anyone, we must be changed, and be the change the world needs. The work to change others is that of the Holy Spirit, not ours. It is faith by which we believe others can be changed; by first being the change, not by adjudicating and championing societal change through secularist measures. To attempt to change humanity from the virtues of humanist ideology is to pronounce defeat on God, believing that He is not capable of affecting the outcomes we need.
Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind. (MB 37.1)
This is not a call for anarchy, but rather an awakening to the ever-growing efforts of society to seek justice, harmony, and equity through a spiritually void lens. The phrase that should send shivers down each of our spines is, “for the good of humanity.” The esteemed leaders of the Jewish nation, crucified Christ under the precept that it was for the good of humanity (John 18:14). Rest assured that anything following that phrase is not intended for the good of humanity, but for the benefit of humanists and opportunists.
Critical Faith Theory
An alternative approach to humanism is what I have termed: Critical Faith Theory. In this mindset, there are few victims in Western society. Not that there is no victimization or marginalization, for as long as we occupy this earth and man rules over man, sin will abound, and inhumanity will permeate. It is the realization that we serve the God of the universe who holds all resources at His disposal, He is an active God, not passive. It's the realization that your personal journey with God is insurmountably more profound than the likelihood of societal injustice. That the God of love, compassion, and justice is more desirous of your salvation than your earthly comforts. That His unfathomable wisdom allows sin and injustice to impact our lives… to shape us through our wilderness challenges. His goal is to refine our characters and our faith through trusting in Him. For to love Him, is to accept the journey we are afforded while loving the people we encounter along the way. Not an easy task, that’s why it’s called faith.
There is no human act that is without fault. That is, never has an action taken by humans been perfect. Every human, and every act by humans, either individually, as a group, or as a culture can be torn down by focusing on its detractions. There is fault in everyone and everything that has been connected to humanity. We are all culprits in need of a Savior.
It is the prism from which you look at history that will determine your perspective of the future. If you believe that humanity in its sinful state has created a condition that is insurmountable for God to penetrate and overcome, then you subscribe to defeatism. Alternatively, you could look at history and recognize that no matter what the circumstances are, no matter how undesirable humanity has treated you or your culture, there is still a God of the universe, and God knows all, and sees all. That God is capable of doing exceedingly more for you than any social justice warrior can achieve.
For some, facing your challenges with love for your enemies, and believing that all things are possible for them that love the Lord, is a mission impossible. It is something they are not prepared to accept. It’s called faith because it is not easy. You have to go against comfort and convenience, maybe even what you were taught. Where man says, in order for marginalized groups of people to seek justice, their oppressor must be marginalized, faith in God says, ‘love your neighbor and your enemy’ (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9; Matthew 5:43).
Social Justice
Ultimately, embracing secular mechanisms for earthly justice and equality raises a flag of defeat before our heavenly Father. It is stating that God is helpless to assist me in my predicaments, and faith in fallen humanity is my only choice. As if the purveyors of injustice are capable of adjudicating justice. One would expect that with the Age of Enlightenment, logic would be the basis for decision making, where cause and effect… the solutions that seek to explain all conditions would prevail. Where our eyes would be opened to seeing the presence of, or the lack of the fruits of the Spirit.
I find it most refreshing to converse with small business leaders. There is rarely talk of socially based ideological pursuits in business. The reality of cause and effect is paramount. Between challenges in regulations, bureaucracies, labor, supply chain, and market demand, there is little opportunity to contemplate fair and unfair. It’s all about reality. What works, and what lessons have been gained from failures.
Even more inspiring are the conversations with businessmen and women who have committed their lives to God. They beam with recounts of circumstances where God defied human understanding by reaching down and creating unique opportunities for them to serve and grow. In this arena, I hear phrases like: the more I turn to God the more my business grows. Or, once I committed my life and business to serving God, that’s when it really took off.
He (the Lord) is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises. (DA 668.1)
What has always been vacant in these conversations is the benefits of social activism. In small business, and in life, what I have observed, one could argue the “secret” to success is to not begin by being a victim… i.e. admitting defeat with a reason. Face your challenges and know that they will be there. If you elect the God of the universe as your managing partner, your social warrior, there is no potential that can be denied you by humanity. If instead you elect to wage war on injustices yourself, through the aid of humanistic means that place “man” (yourself) as your adjudicator; be prepared to face more of the disproportional ills of humanity alone.
Conclusion
I’m not saying that the path of faith will be easy. It’s called faith for a reason. God never really lets you see around the earthly bends. Your eye needs to be on the celestial objectives (Colossians 3:2-4). Give God all your talents, and leave nothing on the table. Daily work to persevere in the face of all obstacles. Daily recommit your life to Him in service and mission to others. He will direct and open your paths.
Don’t place your reliance on the source of societal affliction, to adjudicate them. But rather seek God, grow in faith, and be the change the world needs.
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Daniel Bacchiocchi is an architect and builder. Today he operates an architectural and construction business in Michigan as well as a non-profit building mission organization, Master’s Builders, Inc., supporting SDA efforts in financially depressed communities around the world.
