September 8, 2024. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.
James’ faith vs. works conversation often gets snagged in the overgrowth of early Reformation debates that pit works righteousness against cheap grace. But James does not advocate salvation by works. Rather, he endorses a productive faith—or better yet, a skilled faith (“works” in Gk. implies art, industry, skill). This sermon commences a three-sermon series on “The Art of Belonging” by encouraging the habits and practices that produce a skilled, artful faith. Here the invitation is to consider faith as a skill, and belonging as a work of art.
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
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