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Think of it this way. God saves. We all agree on this, Protestant and Catholic. God saves because we cannot save ourselves. THis is why we Catholics are opposed, just like good Protestants to "works salvation", the idea that through our own independent actions, we can save ourselves. Catholics believe that we are saved through grace, a gift from God. We accept this grace (because God does not force us to be saved, though He certainly could) through our faith, and we evidence our faith through our good works. Note, these good works come through God, under His grace.

Bells, whistles, and sirens galore! As a Southern Baptist I agree with absolutely everything you said above, and I believe it is confirmed in Ephesians 2:8-9. However, I have also been having a very pleasant conversation with sassbox on this thread, and continued here. On the other thread, please see posts 44, 51, and 59 in which sassbox lays out a clear (partial) works-based salvation model for Catholics. Now I am confused again. :)

Bells, whistles, and sirens galore! As a Southern Baptist I agree with absolutely everything you said above, and I believe it is confirmed in Ephesians 2:8-9. However, I have also been having a very pleasant conversation with sassbox on this thread, and continued here. On the other thread, please see posts 44, 51, and 59 in which sassbox lays out a clear (partial) works-based salvation model for Catholics. Now I am confused again. :)

I don't mean to confuse you. :) Again, I'm not a theologian so what I said above could be slightly off, and I don't want to misrepresent Church teaching. But, IMO, Catholics and Protestants are actually closer than we think on salvation. I think a lot has to do with semantics and perception.

On the other thread, please see posts 44, 51, and 59 in which sassbox lays out a clear (partial) works-based salvation model for Catholics. Now I am confused again.

Catholics believe God infuses man with His grace and man “co-operates” with God to come to a knowledge of Him. They are “officially” part of God’s Church during baptism. God’s grace which they have accepted diminishes over time and must be replenished through the sacraments (e.g. penances, the Eucharist, charitable works, etc.).

Catholics are confused with Protestants claims that we are “saved by faith”. They view man has having to do something. In this case exercise “his” faith towards salvation. Original Protestant theology believed that God gives man grace and faith and man doesn’t do anything to merit his salvation. Over the years this doctrine was altered that man comes to God by his “free will” which is what a bulk of Protestants today believe. In a way the Catholics are correct in saying man exercising his will of faith is salvation by works. Most Protestants will argue this isn’t salvation by works just as the Catholics will argue following the sacraments aren’t works.

As a fellow Southern Baptist I would recommend reading the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Pay special attention to Section 9 Man’s Free Will. Man’s will is in bondage until God sets us free. Of course most do not like what is implied here.