Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 55%

So, too, no good work can profit an unbeliever to justification and salvation; and, on the other hand, no evil work makes him an evil and condemned person, but that unbelief, which makes the person and the tree bad, makes his works evil and condemned. Therefore, when any man is made good or bad, this does not arise from his works, but from his faith or unbelief.

Which of the following sixteenth-century figures is best known for his defense of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Americas?

Rationale

The passage reflects the ideas of Martin Luther.

The excerpt emphasizes the importance of faith over works in the context of justification and salvation, which is a central tenet of Martin Luther's theology. Luther argued that it is faith alone that justifies a believer before God, rather than the merit of their deeds.

A (Ignatius Loyola) YOUR ANSWER

Luther's doctrine of justification by faith alone is clearly articulated in the passage, as it asserts that a person's goodness or badness stems from their faith or unbelief rather than their actions. This idea directly aligns with Luther's challenge to the Catholic Church's emphasis on works for salvation.

B (HernÃƒ¡n CortÃƒ©s) YOUR ANSWER

Erasmus, while critical of church practices, emphasized the value of human free will and moral action. His views did not align with the notion that faith alone determines one's standing before God; rather, he believed in a cooperative relationship between faith and works.

Aquinas integrated faith and reason, positing that both faith and good works are essential for salvation. His theological framework contrasts with the passage's assertion that works do not affect one's justification, as he emphasized the importance of virtuous actions in achieving a good moral state.

D (Ferdinand Magellan) YOUR ANSWER

More was a staunch defender of Catholic doctrine and believed in the significance of good works alongside faith. He would not support the idea that works are irrelevant to one's moral condition, as reflected in the passage, which undermines the role of actions in justification.

Conclusion

The passage clearly advocates for the Protestant view of justification by faith, a key idea championed by Martin Luther. By distinguishing between faith and works, it highlights that true moral standing is determined by one's belief rather than actions, a perspective that diverges from the teachings of Erasmus, Aquinas, and More, who all maintained that works play a vital role in one's spiritual condition.

Which of the following sixteenth-century figures is best known for his defense of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Americas?

The passage reflects the ideas of Martin Luther.

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