I agree with Pilgrim,

'faith without works is dead' but can we actually perform good works without faith? They are defintiely tied but what comes first the faith or the works? When faith comes works will follow. And does one just decide to have faith?

I think you are trying to stump us via symantics but I'm not buying into it...


The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine