To: Pining_4_TX
You might want to check your information before posting. The Roman Catholic Church does not have a Doctrine of Works, it is a Doctrine of Faith AND Works. This reasoning stems from the letter of James:
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,' but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. Do you want proof, you ignoramus (not making a comment, promise), that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the Altar? You see faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham belived God and it was credited to hhim as righteousness,' and he was called 'the friend of God.' See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. . . For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead " James 3:14-26
There in essence is the Roman Catholic Stance that Works are necessary to truly show Faith, for what good is saying something when one does not act upon it. They work almost in concert with one another, each one vitally important, faith of course is first, but by works, one's faith is demonstrated, and one does as He wants us to do.
To: NWU Army ROTC
The Roman Catholic Church does not have a Doctrine of Works, it is a Doctrine of Faith AND Works. This reasoning stems from the letter of James By adding the "and works" it becomes a salvation based on works. If any of man's works are required for his salvation, then he is saved by his own works. This doctrine says that Christ's death on the cross was insufficient for salvation and that man must add his own merit (which he does not have, BTW). The Bible, however, teaches that salvation is based on faith ALONE, and faith comes by the grace of God. It is all His merit and doing. The good works that we do are inspired by the Holy Spirit and demonstrate our belief, but the works themselves DO NOT MERIT SALVATION. James doesn't teach that either. James says a believer's works demonstrate his faith, but faith is what saves us. Catholic doctrine is contrary to Scripture.
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