The problem of the centuries-old faith vs. faith & works controversy may actually be more metaphysical than religious.

Ever since Aristotle, we’ve understood that all things contain two co-principles: form and matter. The essence of something is its form; its matter concretizes it and makes it real. As we can see below, the essentials of redemption are no different.

                                   FORM                           MATTER

Acts                             Consent                        Consummation
Movement                 Choice                          Action
Christ’s Sacrifice     Gethsemane                Calgary
Sacraments               Baptism                        Eucharist
Sanctification           Grace Accepted         Grace Nourished
Salvation                    Faith                             Works

Since Martin Luther declared ‘faith alone’ is necessary for salvation, and broke off from sacred Church tradition and authority, Protestants in general have abandoned the metaphysical tradition that enables the human mind to apprehend truth, both natural and supernatural.

Hence, it’s consistent that most Protestants accept Baptism but not the Eucharist. To accept form and neglect matter is like Christ consenting to the Father at Gethsemane but not going through with the crucifixion at Calgary. In one’s covenantal relationship with Christ, it’s the difference between legal marriage with consent only vs. intimate living marriage with consent and consummation.

That we are saved through faith is formally true, but without the material element it’s incomplete and vulnerable to dereliction. Form without matter is like a disembodied soul. It’s dead. This is why Scripture tells us that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:26).