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.
If you do not want me to reply to you, you should neither ping me nor mention me in your posts. But if you do, since the premise of your objection is that you find the term of endearment "dear" to be "fake" and "creepy" - the reply will most likely include yet another reaffirmation of the love of God we Christians have for one another as neither "fake" nor "creepy."
Wow. God's glory published once again. That's great. Please ping us when the book comes out, AG! Congratulations!
The "I cannot stop" pertains to expressions of love, dear Petronski.That was your creepiest post yet.
If you do not want me to reply to you, you should neither ping me nor mention me in your posts. But if you do, since the premise of your objection is that you find the term of endearment "dear" to be "fake" and "creepy" - the reply will most likely include yet another reaffirmation of the love of God we Christians have for one another as neither "fake" nor "creepy."
The part in italics is false. Terms of endearment from people who applaud lies about my faith--that would be you--are creepy, fake, saccharin, treacly, fraudulent and unwelcome.
Let’s look at Proverbs 5:
1. My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding;
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil;
4. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword,
5. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6. Lest thou shouldst ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
10. Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel.
Whoops! Verse numbered 10 s/b numbered 9.
I know you think it foolishness. You have posted me saying so, but it is really simple. If you believe The Gospel you are saved. Dr.E. has said she believes and has proclaimed The Gospel repeatedly and has been criticized by RC's for doing so.
If Scripture is the guide it is a pretty safe bet my sister in Christ is saved.
But again I affirm (as does Pope Benedict's First Encyclical) that we must share the love that God has lavished on us, that it more than a command - "it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us."
The love of God wherewith we love one another is neither fake nor creepy nor can it be earned.
To God be the glory!
You should try reading her posts with eyes looking for the truth, and not from a reflexive and defensive posture which apparently blinds you to the validity of her posts.
I challenge you to find even one of them that is an obvious "attack" on any church. Her posts are simply declarations of Scriptural truth.
Let us know how that works out for ya, Doc.
lolol
Amen. There’s nobody quite like her on these threads. She has no animosity toward anyone, unlike certain posters who think she’s ‘creepy’, etc. Shame on anyone who thinks that.
“If you ask me not to post to you at all, I will comply.” —Alamo-Girl
When is the book coming out? I’d love to read it.
There is no evidence in Scripture that the office of the apostles continued on after their deaths.
After Christ rose from the dead, there is now a priesthood of all believers, encouraged by pastors, teachers and fellow Christians, all led by the Holy Spirit.
I note that your “dear sister in Christ” is encouraged by, agrees with, and expresses gratitude for the Pauline Epistle Posts with a twist, and the merry dances of illogic in some other prottie posters. Your characterization of my post as “reflexive and defensive” is inaccurate, as I merely object to the phony endearments that other posters also find creepy.
You may prolong this with more useless reproach if you so desire. I won’t be here to notice.
True enough. I just said that yesterday to someone, LOL. It’s one of my favorite lines.
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