On the second point, the Catholic Church does not, and never has, taught salvation through works. Salvation is through grace alone, freely given by God. Faith and works permit us to align ourselves more perfectly with the Will of God, thus making us more receptive to His freely offered grace.
So that would be by grace thru faith without works???
I have been a Bible-Believing Christian for many years for now, and while I have been I’ve looked into thousands and thousands of questions and passages in the Bible for answers on them, and in the process of doing so, I’ve read an untold number of commentaries and sermons by other Bible-believing Christians on these matters. I’ve also heard thousands of sermons, and watched and heard and read thousands of Christian TV and radio programs and books. So I can say the standard practice is to look for answers on a subject by looking at the Bible as a whole. What “Protestant” doctrine (from Bible-believing denominations) do you say isn’t backed up As it should be by Scripture?
On faith and works, the Council of Trent said faith and charity had to be *added* to faith for salvation, rather than arising from them. And I’ve heard Catholics in authority (on different radio programs) argue for faith plus works as well. Awhile back I read a book, too, on the Catholic Church and from the Catholic Church’s own words , it was clear it taught faith plus works.
AMEN!