[Dr. Eckleburg]

I don't think Catholicism itself is mistaken on any essential doctrine.

I thought much the same way before I started participating in these discussions on the FR RF. Even when RCs told us they consider their their priests to be "another Christ," and that Mary is viewed as a "co-redeemer" I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Now I realize our differences are stark and important, not the least of which is Rome's misunderstanding of Christ's one-time justification for all the sins of His flock.

The Roman Catholic Teaching
on Salvation and Justification

[Judith Anne]

http://www.christiantruth.com/gospelrcsalvation.html

It is so interesting when Protestants give links on supposed “Catholic teaching” that have nothing to do with the Catholic Church.

Also interesting that they claim it is Roman Catholic teaching, when in reality it is PROTESTANT teaching, about Catholics. Who knows how accurate it is, or if it’s all a pack of lies?

[Salvation]

Rock Solid: The Salvation History of the Catholic Church [Ecumenical]

Who Can Be Saved?

Grace, Faith, and Works

Getting in Touch With Reality (good character and behavior as a ticket to Heaven)

My Personal Savior

The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

Extra ecclesiam - Outside the Church there is no salvation.

Is Faith Necessary for Salvation? (Part 2)

Good Will Equals Salvation? (Did the pope say non christians could be saved - part 1)

The Experience of the Salvation of Christ Today

Nonbelievers Too Can Be Saved, Says Pope

Worthy Is the Lamb?

Limbo and the Hope of Salvation

[Salvation]

JUSTIFICATION IN CATHOLIC TEACHING [Open]

Justification: declarative or transformative?

The Early Church Fathers on Justification - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus

Questions on Justification (five questions regarding justification and the Bible)

Methodists to affirm Catholic theology (on Justification)

The Meaning of Grace

[dan1123]

Now I realize our differences are stark and important, not the least of which is Rome's misunderstanding of Christ's one-time justification for all the sins of His flock.

I personally believe in once saved, always saved, even in the case of a Christian who goes on to murder or horribly sin in some other obvious way. However, other than making Catholics nervous, it practically makes no difference if they believe themselves to need to continuously confess to a priest. They are "absolved" of their sin in a regular ritual, but ultimately they are still saved and judged as all Christians. They have been unduly worried, but they probably acted better because of it.

I can see why many beliefs and rituals in the Catholic church started, and they are not bad reasons. I personally believe they have outlived their usefulness, but they aren't inherently harmful. While the strange extra-biblical Mary beliefs are disconcerting, making Mary into another Enoch doesn't discount Jesus. As long as Catholics are careful, they don't make their saints into gods.

All that said, I believe Catholic theology is more of a fog to push through and doctrine makes Christianity into an unnecessarily difficult religion.