[aposiopetic]

This is an extraordinarily edifying thread. I post the following merely to offer a citation to authority in support of Canticle_of_Deborah's correct statement in #82. As many here know, I am not (yet?) Orthodox or Roman Catholic. Maybe because I am still on the outside looking in, I hate it when a thread gets co-opted into bashing of either group or mischaracterization of its teaching.

Canon 1 of the Council of Trent: If anyone says that man can be justified before God by his own works, whether done by his own natural powers or through the teaching of the law, without divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be anathema.

[TexConfederate1861]

The Council of Trent is NOT one of the original 7 Ecumenical Councils. and is not recognized by Orthodox Christians....... (just a point of reference)