The Catholic philosopher, Peter Kreeft, made a very interesting point about the various schools of philosophy.
Some philosophies appear to be simple at first, but after much study, become cloudy and incoherent. Examples are pragmatism and materialism.
Others begin obscurely and end obscurely, like the modern French and German philosophies.
Others seem complex at first, but after much study, become clear. Such is the case with the Scholastics, with St. Thomas being the preeminent example.
Reading St. Thomas makes your brain hurt... at first. But once you understand the terms and the first principles, his teaching becomes very clear.
Why am I making this point? Because it's interesting to me. And somewhat related to your question.
A cursory examination of the Catechism might lead one to believe that Church teaching is arcane and obscure. But diligent study reveals the coherence and cohesion of Church teaching.
A man can go a long way in life by loving God with all his heart, and loving his neighbor as himself.
But there is much more that can --and needs-- to be said about God, man and man's salvation.
“But there is much more that can —and needs— to be said about God, man and man’s salvation.”
Really there is not, Thomas. All one need know is Christ saves and by believing in Him one is saved. If one knows nothing else but that, one is secure for eternity.
I know you don’t believe it but, hey Jack, it’s the truth. Like I said before, you guys just want to make it all so complicated and it need not be.
Nothing wrong with digging deeper but the basic tenet of our faith is so simple even a small child can grasp it.
I think we’ve had this conversation before. :)
No, there isn't. Catholicism has WAAAYYYYY over complicated salvation.
Believe and be saved.
John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Much like many replies in these threads.
When Satan used SCRIPTURE in the wilderness against Jesus; Jesus used SCRIPTURE to overcome the words of Satan.
THIS is why we PROTESTants do NOT rely on anything BUT SCRIPTURE.
(I hope this was simple enough...)