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.
Happy to help.
Perhaps you would like to comment on the “idolatry” in posts 1708 and 1714.
!!!!TRADITIONS!!!!
However, I have no doubt their rubber logic, daffynitions and rubber histories will be hauled out in full force to rationalize, dance around, convolutedly stretch totally out of whack . . . every truth outlined in your excellent post.
Thankfully, God, sane RC's and quite a number of Prottys and probably a majority of lurkers can tell the difference between
HOGWASH and Living Water
rather easily.
INDEED!
NGR
Nor did He ever mention any leader of the Roman Catholic edifice.
Christ named Simon bar Jonah as Peter I, the first Pope.
BBBB BUT . . .
THAT'S
DIFFERENT!
DOGMA IS . . . WELLLLLL . . .
Power-mongerers Inc political history manglers meeting in committee's
productions . . .
based on rubber histories, rubber "Bibles," rubber logic, rubberized daffynitions . . .
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6 & 7th twice removed . . .
There COULDN'T be ANYTHING wrong with
building skyscrapers on
THOSE toothpick splinters!
That's the most logical thing in the world! Totally high integrity, solid trufff stuff! Just ask them!
/s
NGR
I’m
sooooooooooooooooooooooo
THANKFUL
that our Lord and Savior was not at all given to Pomp and Circumstance in His first coming . . .
that the grandest pomp and circumstance was
riding on a . . . .
donkey.
Obviously the lesson has been wasted in an endless string of
“church”
“leaders.”
We realize this is just another vivid example of the RC EDIFICE CHRONIC AND EGREGIOUS DOUBLE STANDARD. So it doesn't shock us any more. However, some lurkers would do well to take note.
NGR
So kind to note when someone in the pack has cushioned a truth-arrow’s trajectory.
Thanks.
Balderdash.
Not by a long shot.
It’s
Soooooooooo
thoughtful and kind when a rabid RC rep notes when someone in the pack has cushioned a truth-arrow’s trajectory.
Thanks.
It’s
Soooooooooo
thoughtful and kind when a rabid RC rep notes when someone in the pack has cushioned a truth-arrow’s trajectory.
Thanks.
NGR
Soooooooooo
thoughtful and kind when a rabid RC rep notes when someone in the pack has cushioned a truth-arrow’s trajectory.
Thanks.
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