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.
Is that supposed to be a new revelation?
Perhaps a new apparition on a white hanky?
Or maybe on a white corn taco?
Another aggressive poster. I’m beginning to wonder if this is a Protestant trait.
Sounds like quite an intellectual feat!
How does one think
less than nothing thoughts?
You tell me. Now, go away. Talk to those who believe you have something to offer. Here’s a clue: I don’t.
I don’t recall advertising that I was in the market for clues.
Have no fear, there is an explanation. Remember, there is no teaching of the Catholic Church which cannot be denied, modified, or re-interpreted as required.
"know"? um, that would be Gnosticism, and then only Gnostics would know...
The occasional lurker might mistake this for a “religious forum”. If he has the stomach to read through the threads, he will discover that it is best enjoyed with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
LOLOL dearest brother in Christ! But so may of those "dastardly protties" are my dear, dear friends, cherished in my heart, mind, and spirit — not even to mention my prayers!
I enthusiastically join you with my whole heart in your prayer, to the effect: "[May] The Blood of Jesus and the Anointing of His Spirit abundantly overshadow you and all you love and all you do."
May God ever bless you, and all your dear ones!
I am curious about this prophetic document, that you claim to have knowledge of...I really cannot tell from your post, just exactly what you are talking about...perhaps you can clarify...or if you chose not to explain, hopefully someone else, who understands your post, can explain it to me...
Sorry, I dont understand, but have been up most of the night, dealing with the neighbors, and their little dog that they leave out all night long, to yap away, and keep the neighborhood up....perhaps my brain is a little slow today.
So please, just what is this prophetic document....I just do not understand..
Well, I certainly agree with you there, OLD REGGIE.
But what I still don't know is: WHO is the "hater" here?
Do you care further to elucidate me in this matter?
Roamer: Indeed, or Presbyterians, for that matter...
WHOA!! :) NONE of the Presbyterians I know around here have EVER said that they believe that infant baptism is salvific. Now, I don't know if that applies to all Presbyterians everywhere everyhow, but I do know that the Reformed ones do NOT believe that. :)
THANKS.
THANKS TONS.
I can’t get too detailed about the doc.
The FREEPER RC who authored it feels it’s to not be widely released yet.
I just meant to refer to it as confirmation of my own sensings in a list of ways . . . and those ways I tried to articulate in part in that post.
In most respects, the doc speaks to a number of woes to befall the USA and the world . . . particularly churches and Christians who are not walking the talk etc.
Why do I feel that God is laughing at us?
Please read #1524.
Well, if you know about the doc, yet you claim it was sent by a ‘freeper RC’ as you put it, exactly how do you know about it?...
If you know about it, what keeps you from revealing what you supposedly know...this does not make sense....
I think that’s a gross oversimplification and not per se what I said.
He will have the wicked in derision.
And, I think He often laughs at our idiocies and childish, foolish things we do and think.
Sadly, I think we grieve Him more often.
You also made the claim that you know that a copy of this doc was sent to the 700 club, and you know that the 700 Club is studying this doc....shall we expect the 700 Club to make some sort of an announcement about this?
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