Posted on 07/07/2008 10:39:05 PM PDT by Gamecock
A caller to our weekly radio program asked a question that has come up before: Are Roman Catholics saved? Let me respond to this as best I can. But I need to offer a qualifier because I think this is going to be somewhat dissatisfying for some because I am not going to say a simple "aye" or "nay." My answer is: It kind of depends. The reason I'm saying that is because of certain ambiguities.
My point is this, I think that in the area of the doctrine of salvation, Roman Catholic theology, as I understand it, is unbiblical because salvation depends on faith and works, not just faith alone. This was the specific problem Paul addressed in the book of Galatians and was the subject of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: Is simple faith in Jesus adequate, or must gentile followers of Christ now keep the Law as a standard of acceptance before God?
I know not all Catholics would agree that this is a fair way of putting it, but I think that most Catholics would actually say the faith/works equation is accurate. Your faith and your works are what save you. I was raised Catholic and that’s what I was taught. (For my take on the biblical relationship between faith and works, see “Faith & Works: Paul vs. James.”)
Now, I need to add this too. Many Protestants feel the same way. Many Protestants are confused on this issue, so this is not a Catholic vs. Protestant concern so much. It's just that Catholicism across the board has more of an official position that amounts this, where Protestants have a more diversity of views, some that don't even seem to be consistent with Protestantism.
But the fact that one believes Jesus is the Messiah and that He is the savior, not our own efforts, is critical. If you reject this notion, like the Jews do, then as far as I can tell from the biblical revelation, there is no hope for you. That seems to be clear. But when somebody says they believe in Jesus and He is their Savior, but somehow works are mingled in with the picture, then I can't really say to you how much faith that person is putting in Jesus and how much faith that person is putting in their own efforts to satisfy God. If a person has all their faith in their own efforts, then they are going to be judged by their own efforts. It's as simple as that. If they have their faith in Jesus, they will be judged by the merits of Jesus. Anyone judged by their own merits is going to be found wanting. Anyone who is judged by the merits of Jesus is not going to be found wanting because Jesus is not wanting.
What if you are kind of a mixture? I think most Catholics are, frankly. Many Protestants are, as well.
I reflect often on a comment that was made by a friend of mine named Dennis. He was a Roman Catholic brother in Christ that I knew when I was a brand new Christian. He asked me this: "Greg, how much faith does it take to be saved?" I said, "A mustard seed." And he said, "There you go."
And so, it seems to me, there are many Christians—Protestant and Catholic—who believe in Jesus as their savior and have a mustard seed of faith, but are confused about the role of works. I think that Jesus is still Savior in those cases.
Another revealing post! Thank you, dear Quix!
“I’ll begin with the list of Calvinist haters within the last 25 or so posts:
MarkBsnr
rbmillerjr
Petronski”
Can you read minds. Try not to make it personal. I hate the sin not the sinner. I do despise Calvin, but I love my Christian brothers.
You might be right about the allegory. Books are pretty much forbidden, authority is to be accepted without question, rebels are put to death. Charlton Heston’s character leads the “reformation” after he is illuminated with the truth about the Eucharist, I mean Soylent Green.
Why don't you ask that person?
***Can you read minds. Try not to make it personal. I hate the sin not the sinner. I do despise Calvin, but I love my Christian brothers.***
Calvin, while despicable in his personal life, is still a heroic figure amongst his sycophants. Pray be still and quiet when advertising his atrocities amongst the true Calvinist believers.
***Why don’t you ask that person?***
Don’t imitate Elton John. Who?
And you profess to know nothing (at all).
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Perhaps we should take him at his word?
Done and done.
Yeah, really. I don’t know where folks get these crazy notions.
Hmm, is he speaking for God? I somehow don’t think so.
I’m no gnostic and I’m no heretic. Having the assurance of salvation is from God and Him alone.
And just what would be your assessment of nursing home residents, as opposed to others who are not in a nursing home, regarding this situation....I hardly see the difference, maybe you could explain it to me...
***Hmm, is he speaking for God? I somehow don’t think so.***
I don’t speak for God. It is blasphemy to do so.
Around and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. Sigh.
***I’m no gnostic and I’m no heretic. Having the assurance of salvation is from God and Him alone.***
What manner of your assurance has been communicated to you? And how has it been actually handed to you?
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I doubt that will be necessary
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As you will.
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