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
Salvation
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”
The Image of the Father and Penal Substitution Theology
I began this series on the atonement with a question about whether or not the crucifixion of Christ was God’s active will, or His permitted will. The Cathechism provides the answer from the Catholic perspective: CCC600 To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of … Continue reading The Image of the Father and Penal Substitution Theology
God Forsaken – Christ on the Cross
One of the most moving moments in the narrative of Christ’s passion is his cry from the cross to His Father, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). The understanding of this passage is another area where Protestant and Catholic theology will in general diverge. Protestant Reformed minister RC … Continue reading God Forsaken – Christ on the Cross
God-Forsaken – Christ in the Garden
My favorite mystery of the rosary has always been The Agony in the Garden. It returns me to those Holy Thursday evenings of my youth. After the celebration of the Holy Thursday liturgy we would return to the church between the hours of nine and midnight to “watch one hour with me.” (Matthew 26:40, Mark … Continue reading God-Forsaken – Christ in the Garden
Penal Substitution Theology and God’s Need
In my last post I began to identify the problems from a Catholic perspective with the Protestant concept of Christ’s passion as being one of “penal substitution” – the concept that on the cross Christ is being punished by God for our sins. I will continue with that over the next several posts. Consider some … Continue reading Penal Substitution Theology and God’s Need
An overview of Protestant Penal Substitution Theology
With the advent of Protestantism in the sixteenth century, the understanding of the atonement undergoes a significant change in thinking. This theology is generally referred to as “penal substitution.” As with the Catholic understanding, in this view Christ is our substitute. The foundational difference is in the way he is standing in our place. As … Continue reading An overview of Protestant Penal Substitution Theology
God’s Justice versus God’s Mercy
Is this six minute clip from Bishop Barron, he speaks to why the cross of Jesus was necessary. I will summarize and expand on some of his points in this post, but I will not do justice to what he says, so if you have a few minutes it’s well worth the time. https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/why-was-the-cross-necessary-faith-seeks-understanding/122/ Bishop … Continue reading God’s Justice versus God’s Mercy
The Atonement as Satisfaction
In the eleventh century St. Anselm, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote “Cur Deus Homo,” which translated is “Why God Became Man.” In this work, he directly took on the idea that there was no true justice in the idea that God had to pay Satan a ransom to redeem His creation. His focus … Continue reading The Atonement as Satisfaction
The Atonement as Christus Victor
Another dominant view of the atonement from the early Church is Christus Victor. This view focuses on the victory Christ won on the cross over the powers that hold mankind in bondage – sin, death, and Satan. Adam and Eve by their disobedience placed humanity under this bondage. Unlike the ransom view of atonement which … Continue reading The Atonement as Christus Victor
The Atonement as Ransom
In my last post I referred to a common saying that “Jesus paid a debt he did not owe, because I owed a debt I could not pay.” Sacred Scripture does support the idea that Christ is paying a “debt” with his sacrifice as we read in Colossians 2:13-14 - “And you, who were dead … Continue reading The Atonement as Ransom
