The first sacrament I will review is Baptism. There are basically two ways to view Baptism within the Christian world. Wikipedia sums it up well: Historically, Christianity has used various metaphors to describe its rite of initiation, that is, spiritual regeneration via the sacrament of baptism by the power of the water and the spirit. … Continue reading Baptism and Being “Born Again”
The Sacraments – An Overview
I will always go back to my youth for the definition of a sacrament – “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” For those of us who grew up during the era of the Baltimore catechism, this was etched into our consciousness from an early age. And I still think … Continue reading The Sacraments – An Overview
Catholics and the Prosperity Gospel
Over the last generation or so, what is known as the “Prosperity Gospel” has become increasingly popular, especially within the United States. Wiki defines this theology as “a religious belief among some Protestant Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations … Continue reading Catholics and the Prosperity Gospel
Suffering and Our Salvation Part 2
Caryll Houselander wrote “To the Christian, suffering is not a problem to be explored by the human mind, but a mystery to be experienced by the human heart.” I think to some degree in this life, suffering will always remain a mystery to us. It can easily lead some to despair. It can lead some … Continue reading Suffering and Our Salvation Part 2
Suffering and Our Salvation Part 1
If you are Catholic and of a certain age, I am certain you have had this experience. While growing up when I was faced with any type of difficulty, the most common response from my mother was “offer it up.” The Catholic understanding is that when we “offer up” and unite our sufferings with those … Continue reading Suffering and Our Salvation Part 1
Who Can Be Saved (Part 2)
In my last post I covered the Catholic Church’s position regarding the salvation of non-Catholic Christians. In this post I’ll review the teaching of the Church regarding the salvation of non-Christians. For many other Christian groups, this topic is a non-starter. They will look to Sacred Scripture and John 14:6 where Christ says “I am … Continue reading Who Can Be Saved (Part 2)
Who Can Be Saved (Part 1)
I have visited internet message boards with a somewhat anti-Catholic flare and have been interested to find multiple threads discussing what Catholics believe about salvation regarding those outside the Catholic faith. Some claim that Catholics believe only Catholics will be in heaven. Others claim that Catholics believe you don’t even have to be Christian to … Continue reading Who Can Be Saved (Part 1)
Purgatory Part 3
In my last post I looked at the Scriptures that support the idea that as Christians even though our sins have been forgiven, we still must endure “discipline” or “punishment” for our sins. As Catholics we understand this has nothing to do with some “need” that God has. This discipline is in order to bring … Continue reading Purgatory Part 3
Purgatory Part 2
In my last post I reviewed the primary objection from most Protestants about Purgatory. This is the idea that if there is punishment yet due for our sins after coming to Christ, this is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ’s “finished” work on the cross. This is rooted in a Protestant understanding of “penal … Continue reading Purgatory Part 2
Purgatory Part 1
There are few Catholic doctrines that seem to be as misunderstood by other Christians as Purgatory. One of the many false understandings about Purgatory is that it is somehow a “second chance,” or a place God sends if you if you’re not bad enough for hell yet not good enough for heaven. Catholics believe that … Continue reading Purgatory Part 1
Are All Our Works “Filthy Rags”?
One response to a Catholic view of the necessity of good works for our salvation we may hear is that all of our works are like “filthy rags” to God. This is a reference to Isaiah 64:6 where the prophet rails at Israel “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our … Continue reading Are All Our Works “Filthy Rags”?
Faith, works and St. Paul Part 2
In my previous post I communicated that in order to read St. Paul in a way that aligns him with the words of Christ and the other apostles, it is necessary to understand two important “keys” to his writings. One is to always remember he is fighting the first major heresy that threatened the Church … Continue reading Faith, works and St. Paul Part 2
Faith, Works and St. Paul Part 1
Protestant theology of salvation by “faith alone” is heavily dependent upon the writings of St. Paul. In many ways he seems to contradict both the words of Christ and the other apostles that I’ve reviewed in my last few posts. They indicate that “works,” especially works of sacrificial love for others are necessary for salvation. … Continue reading Faith, Works and St. Paul Part 1
Faith, Works, and the words of Christ
In this post I will continue to look at what Sacred Scripture says regarding the necessity of “works” for our salvation. As discussed in previous posts, when the Bible speaks about “faith,” from the Catholic understanding this means much more than a mere intellectual assent to an understanding that Christ paid for our sins. Biblical … Continue reading Faith, Works, and the words of Christ
Faith, Works, and the Great Judgment
In my last post I looked at a primary passage from St. James that strongly supports the necessity of works as related to salvation. I will again remind us that in the Catholic view, “works” are not necessary so that God accepts us. They are necessary for our sanctification, which is not an optional part … Continue reading Faith, Works, and the Great Judgment
Faith, Works, and St. James
I’ll begin my “deep dive” into the topic of faith and works in Sacred Scripture with the passage that Catholics are most likely to provide when presented with the Protestant theology that salvation is by “faith alone.” For you see, there is only one time in the Bible where the term “faith alone” is used, … Continue reading Faith, Works, and St. James
Faith and Works – An Overview
One of the more basic questions in a discussion of salvation is, what exactly are we being saved from? When we turn to Sacred Scripture, we see this question answered in more than one way. Protestant theology will often direct us to a passage like Romans 5:8-9 -- “But God shows his love for us … Continue reading Faith and Works – An Overview
“Free Grace” Theology and Sacred Scripture
In my last post I reviewed the difference in Protestantism between what is often referred to as “Lordship Salvation” versus “Free Grace” theology. The primary difference in these two schools of thought is whether repentance is part of a “saving faith" or whether it is a “work” and not necessary for salvation. Those who hold … Continue reading “Free Grace” Theology and Sacred Scripture
“Lordship Salvation” versus “Free Grace” Theology
One of the more fundamental differences between most Protestant faiths and Catholicism is the understanding of the role that “faith” and “works” play in our salvation. One of the more common claims leveled against Catholicism is that we are a “works based” salvation. As Catholics we would disagree with that assessment. And it’s important for … Continue reading “Lordship Salvation” versus “Free Grace” Theology
Grace and Infused Righteousness
In my opinion, some of the most beautiful paragraphs in the Catechism are the ones about grace. I will give snippets within this post, but highly recommend reading them in their entirely (CCC1996-2005). The clearest definition of what grace is from the Catholic perspective is found in CCC1997 – “Grace is a participation in the … Continue reading Grace and Infused Righteousness
Sanctification In Scripture
In my previous posts I have mentioned that in the Catholic view of salvation, sanctification is not optional. Nor is it a by-product of salvation. Rather, it is at the very heart of what it means to be saved. It is our transformation into the image of Christ and true freedom from the bondage of … Continue reading Sanctification In Scripture
The Justification of Abraham
The New Testament authors often hold up the patriarch Abraham from the Old Testament as an example of his faith leading to his justification. He is mentioned in this way multiple times by different New Testament authors. But is this a one-time singular event in the life of Abraham, or a process? The first Old … Continue reading The Justification of Abraham
Salvation as a Process in Sacred Scripture
In my last post I spoke to one of the primary differences in the way Catholics and Protestants tend to view salvation. Protestants often see salvation as primarily a one time, instantaneous event that occurs when a believer comes to faith in Christ and are saved. For Catholics, we tend to view salvation as a … Continue reading Salvation as a Process in Sacred Scripture
What do we mean by Salvation?
One of the more basic differences between most Protestants and Catholics is what we mean when we talk about “salvation.” Central to this difference is whether salvation is viewed as a one-time event, or a process. The Southern Baptist Statement of Faith says this – “In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and … Continue reading What do we mean by Salvation?
Martin Luther and the Four Salvation “Solas”
Martin Luther launches Protestantism in the sixteenth century on a foundation of five “solas” – the Latin word meaning “alone.” One of these is “sola-Scriptura,” which deals directly with authority. That topic will be covered at a later time. The other four “solas” are related to a Protestant understanding of salvation. Simply stated, the Protestant … Continue reading Martin Luther and the Four Salvation “Solas”
