Extra ecclesiam - Outside the Church there is no salvation.

Catholic Exchange ^ | Kevin Knight

[NYer]

It's a stark sentence. Some Catholics even love its shock value, waving the doctrine like a flag in the face of their enemies. Other Catholics flatly refuse to believe it, and claim that this teaching was repudiated by the Second Vatican Council. Both groups are wrong.

Despite what some may think, this dogma is infallible, and all Catholics are required to believe it. This was repeated clearly at Vatican II, which said: "Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation."

At the same time, this dogma was never meant to be a sectarian battle cry, as if only Catholics may go to heaven.

So what is the correct interpretation of this sentence? What does the Catholic Church mean when she proclaims that Outside the Church there is no salvation?

OUTSIDE THE EARTH THERE IS NO LIFE
 
Saying that the Church is necessary for salvation is like saying that the earth is necessary for human life. Outside the Church there is no salvation, and outside the earth there is no life.

It's true, of course. The earth is our God-given home. If you leave here, you will die.

But if this is so, how do you explain the 445 astronauts who have flown into space and returned safely? If "outside the earth there is no life", how did Neil Armstrong ever walk on the moon?

The answer, of course, is simple: They didn't leave the earth; they just brought it with them. While they slept and walked on the moon, they were eating earth's food and breathing earth's air. Everything they had came from back home.
 
So when we say "outside the earth there is no life," we are saying that all of the means for survival are found on this planet. And when we say "outside the Church there is no salvation," we mean that all of the means of salvation -- doctrines, sacraments, and so on -- are found here, uncorrupted by error.
 
Some of these means can exist outside the visible bounds of the Church. For example, Protestants have most of the Bible, along with two of the seven sacraments. Nevertheless, these things are like the food and water on the Space Shuttle: they're life-giving, but they came from a place where they're far richer, more abundant and complete.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS

We may draw several conclusions from this.

First, if a person even suspects that the Church is necessary for salvation, but refuses to act on it before he dies, he will go to hell. As Vatican II stated, "They could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it."

Second, if a person fails to enter or stay in the Church through no fault of his own, he may still be saved. Pope Pius IX said: "By Faith it is to be firmly held that outside the Apostolic Roman Church none can achieve salvation. This is the only ark of salvation. He who does not enter into it will perish in the flood. Nevertheless equally certainly it is to be held that those who suffer from invincible ignorance of the true religion are not for this reason guilty in the eyes of the Lord."

Finally, it's not enough simply to call yourself Catholic. There is nothing magic about registering at a parish. To go to heaven, you have to take advantages of the means offered by the Church. This includes praying often, giving alms to the poor, spreading the Gospel, going to Confession and believing in all of her teachings -- even the hard ones.
 
Pope John Paul II summed it up best: "People are saved through the Church, they are saved in the Church, but they always are saved by the grace of Christ. . . . This is the authentic meaning of the well-known statement Outside the Church there is no salvation."

[xzins]

I think the early protestants did not concern themselves with ordinal lineage because they already had it...whether one speaks of Luther, Calvin (Deacon), Knox, the Anglicans, and others.

Therefore, they thought it more significant to be spiritual children of the apostles....the circumcision of the heart.

My Methodist Church can trace an ordinal lineage, but it is not of moment if the spiritual lineage is out of whack.

[NYer]

The HOLY SPIRIT is given to ALL believers not just the members of the Magisterium.

Yes ... through the Sacrament of Confirmation ... but not in terms of interpreting holy Scripture.

[betty boop]

From an Orthodox perspective, however, that does not of necessity mean that the potential for theosis is missing in Protestants.

Neither, it seems, does the matter so appear to BXVI.

Following Augustine, BVXI recognizes two meanings for the Body of Christ, one spiritual, the other institutional. One can be "outside" the institutional meaning (i.e., the Church of Rome), and still be "inside" the spiritual meaning.

Although, recalling the life of Augustine and his "battle" with the Donatists, BVXI seemingly believes that the Body of Christ can have only one Head, which he locates in Rome (as did Augustine in his day). But this is to lay emphasis on the institutional meaning. The main thing at the end of the day, however, is salvation in Jesus Christ (the spiritual meaning).

Thank you so much for sharing your reflections on this matter with us, Kolokotronis.

[NYer]

Everyone who becomes Christian is born anew (John 3)

Only through the Sacrament of Baptism.

[xzins]

But I have always loved catholics, the people themselves, and the "unseen" church that exists alongside the visible one

A very good sentiment. We are to love fellow Christians wherever they are.

I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence.

I haven't heard that anyone is interested in accomodating me. :>)

[shield]

Outside the Church there is no salvation.

Wait a minute...I thought salvation was through Jesus Christ...the church does not save anyone. This is nuts.

[Larry Lucido]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Larry, you ought to do trial work...juries would love you!

I think the jury may still be out on whether a George Costanza gets in when he cheats on his Latvian Orthodox conversion test. :-)

********

Father-priest: I must say George, I was somewhat surprised at the results of your conversion test. I don’t recall having seen such an impressive performance. You truly must be filled with the spirit of the Lord.

George: Oh, I’m I’m full of it Father.

[NYer]

the term "Catholic" is a "Johnny Come Lately".

The term "Catholic" means "universal".

Is there to be only one Church or many?  According to Scripture, Christ wanted us to be one (John 17:22-23).  We are all as a Church to be of one mind and to think the same (Philippians 2:2; Romans 15:5).  There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not many.  For the Church is Christ's Body and Christ only had one Body, not many.  Also, since the Church is Christ's Bride (Ephesians 5:29), can Christ be married to more than one wife (the sin of polygamy)?  NO, Christ can only have one wife (i.e., one Church, not many).

[Larry Lucido]

And which church do you belong to?

Word of Faith in Southfield, Michigan, located at the gorgeous campus of the former Duns Scotus College.

[Kolokotronis]

'My Methodist Church can trace an ordinal lineage, but it is not of moment if the spiritual lineage is out of whack.'

To the extent that one doesn't fall into Donatism, that's true. When the spiritual lineage gets out of whck we have a schism.

[xzins]

To the extent that one doesn't fall into Donatism, that's true.

Good point.

[Kolokotronis]

"I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence."

Gee, Padre, I thought we had you until I got to the angels, saints and opulence part! :)

[betty boop]

It remains to be seen what history will throw at him, and how well he will navigate his ship in the years ahead. But I am pleased with what I see so far.

marron, it is traditional that the first Encyclical issued by a newly-installed Pope sets the tone and theme of his entire papacy.

With JPII, the great theme was "salvation in Jesus Christ alone" -- with the conscious implication (and rebuke) that World Communism is, essentially, a "heresy." Then along came Ronald Reagan and Maggie Thaatcher, and the next thing you knew, communism bit the dust.

JPII was not a politician per se. But his spiritual insights empowered some very effective, and ultimately successful, politicians.

This Encyclical of Benedict proclaims that "God is Love." Similarly to the case of JPII, there is an active "subtext" at work here: the necessity to defeat Islamofascism. For Benedict says in the Introduction of Deus Caritas Est: "In a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant."

Kiddoes, the battle lines are drawn. Stay tuned. :<)

BTW, I don't know whether you're aware of it or not, but JPII and then-Cardinal Ratzinger were very close. JPII was a much-published, world-class philosopher himself, before his election to the Throne of Saint Peter; and of all the members of the Curia of Rome, he found in Ratzinger a true "soul mate." Ratzinger is carrying on the mission established by John Paul II (Sancta Subito!) with seemingly firm purpose, adapting it as necessary to the challenges of our present time.

Above all else, I think that what Pope Benedict most longs for is the unity of Christians, in the face of such challenges. FWIW.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

[marron]

Personally, I aspire to opulence, and we've probably all met a few saints and angels along the way; if we haven't we eventually will in any case.

[Cagey]

And what is Brother Costanza planning on telling Mother Costanza?

[marron]

Above all else, I think that what Pope Benedict most longs for is the unity of Christians, in the face of such challenges.

Years ago I would have doubted such a thing could be possible; I've learned to see with different eyes, though, and for me this unity is already here. I believe you see it as well.

[betty boop]

I'll do better than that. Check your e-mail!

[Kolokotronis]

I like opulence too! :)

Actually, the opulence of Holy Orthodoxy lead to the conversion of Russia in the 900s. The great Prince Vladimir of Kiev sent envoys out into the world to observe the beliefs and liturgies of other civilized people. When his envoys returned from Constantinople, having attended the Divine Liturgy at Agia Sophia, they reported:

"Then we went on to Greece, and the Greeks led us to the edifices where they worship their God, and we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendour or such beauty, and we are at a loss how to describe it. We know only that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty. Every man, after tasting something sweet, is afterward unwilling to accept that which is bitter, and therefore we cannot dwell longer here."

+Vladimir became an Orthodox Christian.

[betty boop]

for me this unity is already here. I believe you see it as well.

It is in substance; but you'd hardly notice the unity when the different confessions start having food fights with one another. Which is what we do see, daily, here at FR.

Not only do I desire with my whole soul that such "disputation" should end, but I would also desire that our orthodox brothers formed in the Talmud should join with us in a united front against the blandishments of what Lindykim chooses to refer to as "Screwtape."

FWIW, dear marron.

[NYer]

Beautiful Church and campus! To which denomination does it belong?