Martin Luther Hated This Book (Here's Why It's in Your Bible)

From Totus Catholica

Imagine standing before God’s judgment—and being told your salvation depends only on faith, with no need for good works, mercy, or obedience. That’s the core of sola fide (“faith alone”), the doctrine Martin Luther championed during the Reformation. But then you open a Catholic Bible and read Sirach—a book Luther tried to remove—and everything changes. Sirach doesn’t whisper. It declares: “Water quenches a flaming fire, and almsgiving atones for sins.” (Sirach 3;30) “Before man are life and death, good and evil… whichever he chooses shall be given to him.” (Sirach 15;17) This isn’t just ancient wisdom—it’s a direct challenge to the idea that faith alone, without works, saves. And Sirach isn’t alone. James 2;24 says plainly: “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” That’s the only place in Scripture where the phrase “faith alone” appears—and it’s rejected. 📌 In this video, we expose why Luther despised Sirach, how the early Church always accepted it as Scripture, and why its message—faith perfected by love and works—is not only biblical but essential to authentic Christianity. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Video: 📖 Why Luther wanted to remove Sirach (and other deuterocanonical books) from the Bible 🌟 How Sirach, James, Paul, and Jesus Himself all teach that faith must be alive—not just mental assent 👑 The Catholic truth: salvation is by grace, but grace requires our cooperation through prayer, mercy, sacraments, and obedience 🙏 Why “cheap grace” produces shallow disciples—and how Sirach calls us to holiness ⏳ Chapters: 0:00 – The Courtroom Dilemma: Faith Alone or Faith Alive? 1:24 – The Problem with “Shortcut Christianity” 2:59 – What Is Sirach? And Why Did Luther Hate It? 3:37 – James 2;24 vs. Romans 3;28: Resolving the Apparent Conflict 4:10 – What the Church Fathers Said: Clement, Origen, Augustine 4:58 – What the Catholic Church Actually Teaches (It’s Not “Works Salvation”) 6:45 – But What About Paul? Understanding “Works of the Law” 7:51 – Who Wins the Battle? Sola Fide or Sirach? 8:42 – Three Key Takeaways for Your Spiritual Life 📖 Key Scripture & References: Sirach 3;30 – “Almsgiving atones for sins.” Sirach 15;15–17 – “Before man are life and death… whichever he chooses.” James 2;24 – “Justified by works, not by faith alone.” Galatians 5;6 – “Faith working through love.” Matthew 7;21 – “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’… but he who does the will of my Father.” Romans 2;6 – “God will repay each according to his works.” CCC 1815 – “Faith without works is dead.” CCC 2011 – “The charity of Christ is the source of all our merits.” Council of Trent, Session 6, Canon 9 – Condemns sola fide as heresy 🔗 Church Fathers & Tradition: 📖 St. Clement of Rome (1st c.) – “We are justified by our works, not our words.” 📖 Origen (3rd c.) – “God will judge us according to our works.” 📖 St. Augustine – “He who created you without you will not justify you without you.” 📖 Council of Trent (1547) – Affirmed that justification involves faith, grace, and cooperation through good works 💬 Reflection Question: Have you ever been taught that “faith alone” is enough? How does Sirach’s call to mercy, prayer, and obedience deepen your understanding of what it means to follow Christ?