Sources of the Protestant Devolution

In June of this year, the largest Presbyterian denomination in America voted to allow their clergy to perform same-sex “marriages” within the church, thus joining the ranks of other Protestant denominations, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Episcopalian Church, and United Church of Christ.

This “evolution” of theology and “modernizing” of church doctrine is a trend that I predict we’ll continue to see in non-Catholic Christian circles for years to come, and not just with marriage. Today, nearly all Protestant denominations support and even advocate the use of artificial birth control, and many allow at least some level of support for abortion.

Of course, not all Protestants are willing to “move with the times”, so to speak; there remains, especially among the more conservative groups, quite a bit of dissent. However, it cannot be denied that many modern day Protestant denominations are falling further into the depths of secularism.

While it pains me to see Christians turning their backs on the sanctity of life and marriage, I have to admit that whenever the media lights up with news of another Protestant church endorsing an otherwise wholly unchristian act, I find myself entirely unsurprised.

The reason for my utter lack of shock lies, interestingly enough, within two of the critical tenants of Protestant Theology: the doctrines of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and sola fide (faith alone).

Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide

As Catholics, the Bible is not our sole source of authority, nor was the Catholic Church based upon it. In fact, what we now call “The Bible” — the collected Old Testament and New Testament writings — was put together by the Church herself, and is meant to enrich and support our doctrine and Tradition.

(Consider too that the Gospel is the written testimony of the teachings of the apostles, which, due to apostolic tradition and the God-given teaching authority of the Church, precedes the written text. Thus, any authority of the Scriptures is derived from the recognition of the Church.)

Yet, the Protestant Reformation severed the Tradition from the Bible, and put all other authorities beneath it. By doing so, they created a type of religious relativism (unwittingly, I’m sure) that opened the door for an “anything goes” mentality. So long, of course, as it can be found — or not found — in the scriptures.

For years, sola scriptura was a major weapon against Catholic theology, claiming that our practices were either absent or directly forbidden by Sacred Scripture. However, since the latter part of the 20th century, the charges that “Jesus never said (x)” or “That’s not in the Bible” have turned on themselves and have now become, “Jesus never said (x) was wrong, so that means (x) must be okay.”

This idea blends well with many in my generation, the millennials, who wish to hold on to some shred of spirituality but cannot bring themselves to relinquish the desires of the flesh. It is also a base notion of “Progressive Christianity”, which is basically the feel-good parts of following Christ without any actual sacrifice.

The same problem goes for sola fide. Though the only place in the Bible where the words “faith” and “alone” appear next to one another is in James 2:24 (“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”), it still remains a significant tenant of Protestant Christianity. However, much like sola scriptura, it has seemingly evolved into an even more bastardized version of itself that states, “As long as I’m a good person and believe in Jesus, I’m okay.”

The Beginning of the End?

Now, understand, I’m not among the ilk who believe that Protestants can’t go to Heaven, though the path is significantly more challenging (and not in a “take up your cross” kind of way). I do believe, however, that Christianity was never meant go in this direction. And I certainly believe that, should things continue in the manner they’re going for the modern-day Protestants, they’ll eventually have nothing left to call Christian at all.

Of course, perhaps that’s the only logical conclusion Protestantism could possibly come to. It is, after all, a theologically incomplete Christianity; and perhaps that is why it has such difficulty standing the test of time. Consider the continuous splintering Protestantism has seen since the days of Luther, that continues today. Sooner or later, it will be dust; and displaced Christians will be left with two choices: return to Holy Catholic Church or give themselves to the world.

It is their defense of elitist Rome and her false gospel and traditions they warrants refutation, and gains them condemnation.

Nah. Catholics are generally some pretty decent folks, same as any other raised in the Judeo-Christian traditions. You’re as bad as the author of the article when you say you know who is going to hell and why - I’d be remiss if I didn’t point that out.

Well then, you have just made the apostle Paul evil for asserting,

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point that out. And note what i expressed was conditional, that if any believed a false gospel then they incurred damnation. And thus that "most Prots -broadly speaking [per typical inclusive RC usage]- are likely lost as well." We are not dealing with claiming to know what is in one's heart, but judging based upon what they profess.

Do you really believe that eternal life is gained by literally consuming human flesh with the blood as RCs insist (thus effectively damning all who reject that understanding of Jn. 6:53,54) and that entering Heaven is gained by becoming good enough thru RC "baptism" (sprinkling) which formally justifies one by his own "infused holiness, and finally (usually) thru suffering in purgatory, with indulgences and novenas helping?

All of which can be documented.

Or through repentant faith out of poor and contrite heart in the risen Lord Jesus to save by His sinless shed blood and His righteousness, which is shown in baptism and then following and trying to be like Him? (Acts 10:43,47; 15:7-9) Which effects of faith justify one as being a believer? (Heb. 6:9; Ja. 2)

Two roads. One right choice.

Nobody knows the fate of their soul upon their death. Anyone who tells you they know the fate of their own soul, much less the fate of anyone elses soul does so for their own earthly motive. That will go in the pile for judgement, along with everything else they’ve done in life. God help us all.

And so just why should anyone believe you over Scripture?

Paul for one, disclaimed that he was "already perfect" and thus followed after it so as to be like those who rose from the dead, (Philippians 3:10-12) yet he stated,

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Philippians 1:21-24)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted [euarestos=well pleasing, cf. Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:21] of Him. (2 Corinthians 5:8-9)

And which is "we" - those who believed, as evidenced by works of faith. Thus he told manifest believers that they were saved, and would be with the Lord if He returned in their lifetime:

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

And 1 John provides truth and evidences whereby one may know they have eternal life:

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

Even Job in the OT knew,

though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:26-27)

Likewise doubt was expressed as to the state of others due to the evidence that they were not believers;

I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. (Galatians 4:20)

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Now that you have relegated writers of Holy Writ to be foolish, and speaking out of their own earthly motive, and which will go in the pile for judgement, then you also have incurred damnation in thus life at least for contradicting His word, and taking away from it, presuming to know better.

Nobody knows the fate of their soul upon their death. Anyone who tells you they know the fate of their own soul, much less the fate of anyone elses soul does so for their own earthly motive.

Do you believe these words of Jesus?

Luke 11:9-13 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (10) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (11) If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? (12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? (13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Notice the consequence of asking is receiving. God is not duplicitous. And if God gives us His Holy Spirit, what does that mean?

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

And what do you think about God honoring His guarantees, which Paul says the Holy Spirit is to us who believe? Will God keep His word? Of course He will:

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand

So why do we make it harder than that? I've thought long and hard about this, because I had issues with it myself for many years. One thing that will kill our sense of assurance is unresolved sin. God did not save us so we could live under bondage to sin:

John 8:31-35 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (33) They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

If we are servants of sin, i.e., we have ongoing, unresolved, sin, without repentance, we have no reason to believe we are sons and daughters of God:

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

And yet the promise is so simple:

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

And we know if we come to Him we will not be rejected:

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

How do we resolve this apparent dilemma? Some try to get their assurance by finding some way to "pay their dues." This is a dangerous trap. It is a covert way to express doubt. Jesus has already paid our dues for us. Like Abraham, we have to believe the promises of God. If we go to the courthouse and try to pay for our own sins out of our own resources, our payment will not be accepted.

Romans 4:20-25 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

So we see then that our uncertainty, if we have it, is no fault of God the Father, who draws us to Himself, and will not reject us if we come to Him, nor the fault of God the Son, who loved us enough to die for all the sin that might condemn us, nor the Holy Spirit, who is given to us as an unbreakable promise of God, that we will come into the inheritance He has prepared for us:

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The fault then that makes us uncertain, and drives us to carnal means of establishing certainty, is our own lack of faith in the promises of God. And that is a real problem, because without faith, we have no basis of assurance:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

So do you see the catch-22 here? Jesus says that believing in Him has a definite and reliable result, eternal life. We further know that we obtain this eternal life, not through our own shabby pretense at righteousness, but through the atonement for our sin provided by the death of Jesus. But if we doubt any part of that, we lack faith in God and His promises, just as much as Eve did in the garden, and there are consequences to that doubt:

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

So assurance then is the natural companion of saving faith. Even the doubter Thomas was not allowed to remain that way, but was graciously given abundant opportunity to be certain of the promises of God in Christ:

2 Corinthians 1:19-22 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (20) For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (21) Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (22) Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

And it is no accident that Paul here relates the affirmation of faith in God's promises to the assurance of being established in Christ, sealed unto God, and given the promise of entire fulfillment of those promises by the gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. It is the same faith by which we trust in Christ that we also have faith to trust His promises to those who believe, that He will not fail us, but will do all His word:

Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Peace,

SR

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Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide

The Beginning of the End?