***In other words, that man is actually changed inside,...***
Yes, this is what we believe also. A Man saved by God is a NEW creation, eternally changed.
***On free will, I do disagree with Mr. Calvin. I prefer Augustine and Aquinas.***
How do you feel abot Luther :>)
I had thought that Mr. Calvin came close in this area to Catholicism, more so than Mr. Luther.
How do you feel abot Luther :>)
Mr. Luther had a beautiful and well balanced devotion to Mary, believed in the Real Presence of Jesus at the Eucharist, believed in infant baptism (despite it not being a Scriptural warrant - one he readily admitted) and was closer to Catholicism on other issues than Mr. Calvin. His idea on salvation by faith began as a good positive principle until he denied the role of love and repentance as part of that formula. Actually, I kind of feel for Mr. Luther, I think he really did want to reform Catholicism from the inside. Unfortunately, his pride did not allow it and he declared that Church Councils were not infallible while being questioned on his beliefs by Eck. That spelled the end of his possible role as a positive influence upon the Catholic Church. From there, he went downhill and further from the faith of his fathers.
What Mr. Luther DID do for the Church was force it to define what it believed on a number of ambiguous and questioned issues at the Council of Trent.
Regards