Knowing the dominant form of Western Christianity was influenced by Augustine and Luther, we must point out the weakness of these Christian theologians who failed to see the diverse aspects of faith in the New Testament. So much so their understanding of faith and salvation is very limited. It may be summarized as follows:
1) Individual salvation or justification: imparted or imputed righteousness (forensic salvation);
2) Introspective, inner faith out of guilt rather than public faith;
3) Invading, exclusive gospel: colonialism and exclusivism.
But the prevailing aspects of Christian faith have to do with “participatory faith,” as in the four Gospels and Paul’s 7 undisputed letters. There are also other minor aspects of faith: faith as knowledge, faith as works, and faith as a conviction.