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To: AlbionGirl; lupie
I think one of the reasons that the face put forward by present day Catholicism is capable of drawing converts to it is because it offers an avenue to sanctification that Evangelicalism struggles mightily to provide. When a solid doctrine of sanctification does not follow immediately upon the heels of justification, a hunger ensues and then a sense of displacement.

I meant to address your comment here. The RCC believes sanctification and justification to be the same thing -- as we become better people we are earning our salvation.

So to someone who is unversed in Scripture, a laundry list of things To Do to earn our salvation may sound appealing, easy to understand and accomplish if all the rules are followed.

However it is as part of the recovered early Christian theology of the Reformation that asserts sanctification follows after our one-time, accomplished justification by Christ's atonement on the cross. And this sanctification is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. It becomes obvious to us as we see our lives changing, growing, and bearing fruit.

This, as much as anything else, is the error of Rome, despite the clarity of Scripture.

THE BIBLICAL TEACHING OF JUSTIFICATION
by William Webster

And...

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TEACHING ON SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION
by William Webster

If it's a litany of steps you need as part of the process of sanctificaiton, just return to Scripture and read. It's all there.

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy." -- 1 Peter 1:15-16

And because we all fall short, Jesus reassures us...

"Be not afraid, only believe" -- Mark 5:36

And by that belief and through that belief life is transformed.

Granted, this is short and to-the-point. If it's verbage a person requires, the RCC canon laws are ripe with words and instructions all pointing away from the singular truth of Christ's accomplished justification.

82 posted on 05/15/2007 11:51:15 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Dr. E, I really think that when trying to make sure the type of mechanical Christianity that RC can produce becomes one's first concern, an antinomian ethos ensues that is dangerous and lacking the first fruits that follow justification.

There is no Christian communion that believes we earn the initial Grace that make us lovers and followers of God. The departure comes at the juncture of the understanding of sanctification. Evangelicalism is sorely lacking in this regard because once saved, always saved is a recipe that is ultimately lacking and unfulfilling, if a concentration on sanctification does not place, actually displace, justification in the place in our hearts and minds where it belongs. A concentration on sanctification must increase, and a concentration on justification must decrease, if we are to be conformed to Christ. Let the best Evangelical minds get on with it theologically and practically.

I read a quote not so long ago that said we had the right to anthropomorphize God because He theopormorphized us. I really liked it, and soon after realized that it is a modern version of God became man, so we could become like him. Though I know I've departed from the original construction of that, as it seems to overstate things, I believe the essence is the same.

88 posted on 05/15/2007 12:13:33 PM PDT by AlbionGirl
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