Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Dr. Eckleburg
whereas the Bible tells us justification is by faith alone.

In fact, it says exactly the opposite.

The RCC teaches that justification is lost through mortal sin

While you guys teach that someone who dies in an obvious state of unrepentant serious sin was "never really saved in the first place". However, such people often think they're saved, and people around them think they're saved, so what you are really confessing when you say that is that you can never be sure that anyone is "really saved".

According to the RCC, adults must prepare for justification through both faith and good works

Nope. Sorry. All Trent says is that one's will, "moved and excited by God" cooperates and assents to the grace of justification and is not merely passive.

And whereas the Apostle saith, that man is justified by faith and freely, those words are to be understood in that sense which the perpetual consent of the Catholic Church hath held and expressed; to wit, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation, and the root of all Justification; without which it is impossible to please God, and to come unto the fellowship of His sons: but we are therefore said to be justified freely, because that none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification. For, if it be a grace, it is not now by works, otherwise, as the same Apostle says, grace is no more grace. -- Council of Trent, Decree on Justification, chapter 8

588 posted on 05/08/2008 10:52:49 AM PDT by Campion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 584 | View Replies ]


To: Campion
LOL. Trent, too, speaks with a forked-tongue -- grace alone, but our own good works merit salvation.

While you guys teach that someone who dies in an obvious state of unrepentant serious sin was "never really saved in the first place".

Serious sin? Yes, we all know the RCC teaches a sliding grade of sin, whereas the Bible teaches that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)

Do you imagine at our death we will know every sin we have ever committed and we will know for a fact we have repented for that sin?

Not hardly.

But thankfully, our repentance is not the cause of our salvation, but like all good things, evidence of our salvation.

At our death, the only thing that will save us is Christ's work on the cross, graciously imputed to us by God for His glory.

The RCC teaches that a man is free from sin after confession, but as he walks out the confessional booth and into the light, he sins again and thus is in need of absolution by the priest.

An endless, frightening revolving door of salvation/condemnation/salvation/condemnation...

No wonder so many RCs are fleeing the vagaries of the RCC for the certainty of Christ's atonement on the cross.

"Be not afraid; only believe." -- Mark 5:36

616 posted on 05/08/2008 12:06:16 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 588 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson