Simply not true. Indeed, that is where things START, but not where they end. Like it or not, Christianity requires Christians to behave toward each other in certain ways, to do certain things and not do others. These are plainly spelled out in Scripture, The idea of "sola fide" is completely non-scriptural.
If one is a follower of Christ one is going to do the things Christ says to do.
However, the works, or fruit, are not the cause of salvation, but rather are the result of salvation.
We come to Christ through belief/faith in Him...and only Him.
It is by faith we come to and believe in Him.
You can be nice to other people, but not be a believer in Christ. All those nice things won't get you into Heaven. Only faith in Christ does.
>>"The pope cannot grant blanket forgiveness to people who were not Christians who fought in the Crusades. No more than he could today. That's the contradiction."<<
And yet Scripture plainly says otherwise, and gives the precise reason why the authority exists (the keys of David).
Sheer ignorance of Scripture.
If that is the case there is no need for the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
If a Muslim dies in battle...can the pope forgive his sins?
If a Hindu dies in battle...can the pope forgive his sins?
Enduring the rigors of a Crusade, even in a non-combat role, is one of the most rigorous "penances" anyone can endure, and of course, in dying, they become martyrs.
If they are not followers of Christ it doesn't matter how one dies. They are not going to Heaven. Scripture is crystal clear on this.
Protestants still believe that martyrs go straight to heaven, while the rest of us have to wait a bit.
Christians believe all believers in Christ goes to Heaven.
We are made perfect because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
There is no purgatory where you go to get cleaned up...or work off your sins or whatever false notion you may associate with purgatory.
Have you read the New Testament at all??
You choose to believe a “doctrine” contradictory to Scripture. Your choice. I'll stick to the first church, founded directly by Christ, and in continuous existence since His resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit on his Apostles and other followers.