[imardmd1]

I do not agree with the Roman Catholic position regarding God's prerequisites for salvation, but there are some areas of applying Biblical doctrine to broadening one's Christian experience that I find with Catholic practices.

Unfortunately, none of these will buy eternal life, no matter how diligently observed. So I cannot say that for a Catholic the observation of the principles lends spiritual maturity or progressive sanctification, for what are they absent of eternal security?

[boatbums]

Oh, no denying there ARE many doctrines with which I do not agree with Catholicism and, though I have fewer disagreements with the Orthodox, I don't swallow everything they have "developed" over the years either. What I meant, of course, were those basic tenets of Christianity with regard to Jesus Christ - His virgin birth, His deity, His propitiatory sacrifice on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, His coming again to judge the living and the dead and His eternal reign at the right hand of the Father. Additionally, the doctrine of the Trinity - though I seldom see much defense of it from them when the topic comes up on the RF from time to time.

I'm going to presume that Dangus was NOT really suggesting that "some" Protestants disagree with Catholics/Orthodox on everything but was being hyperbolic. For the record, there are numerous doctrines where Catholics and the Orthodox don't agree.

[Cronos]

To be also very specific about Catholic beliefs -- nothing, nothing what you do or say can "buy" or earn you eternal life. The only thing that "earned" our eternal life was Jesus Christ's sacrifice. THAT is Church belief.

you cannot earn your salvation - that is Pelasgian and not Catholic.

The growing in holiness prepares us for our eternity in the presence of God. In the presence of God there can be no evil, no "stain" - we progress towards godliness in preparing ourselves for Him. It does not save us, we do nothing to save ourselves.