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
Month: January 2021
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
