The Age of Reason · Chapter
Contradictory Doctrines Between Matthew and Mark explained
Paine contrasts the doctrine of salvation by faith in Mark 16:16 with the doctrine of salvation by good works in Matthew 25, arguing that the latter emphasizes humanitarian acts over belief, and criticizes priests for ignoring this passage.
What happens
Paine contrasts the doctrine of salvation by faith in Mark 16:16 with the doctrine of salvation by good works in Matthew 25, arguing that the latter emphasizes humanitarian acts over belief, and criticizes priests for ignoring this passage.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Climax.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator directly juxtaposes Mark’s doctrine of salvation t…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Critique of Biblical Inerrancy
Paine highlights a direct contradiction between Matthew and Mark, undermining the claim of biblical consistency.
- Morality and Humanity
Paine praises Matthew's emphasis on good works toward fellow humans as the true path to salvation.
- Critique of Organized Religion
Paine accuses priests of ignoring Matthew 25 because it does not serve their financial interests.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author who analyzes and contrasts the doctrines of Matthew and Mark.
- Jesus Christ
Quoted in both Mark and Matthew as preaching contradictory doctrines on salvation.
- Matthew
Author of the Gospel that emphasizes salvation through good works.
- Mark
Author of the Gospel that emphasizes salvation through faith and baptism.
Key passages
“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Belief and baptism are required for salvation; disbelief leads to damnation.
Paine cites Mark 16:16 as the doctrine of salvation by faith.
“Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat...”
The righteous are rewarded for their acts of kindness to others, not for their beliefs.
Paine quotes Matthew 25 to illustrate salvation through good works.
“Here is nothing about believing in Christ—nothing about that phantom of the imagination called 'faith.'”
Matthew's passage does not mention faith in Christ at all.
Paine emphasizes the absence of faith in Matthew's account.
