Mungo
Getting Started
Core Issue claims that Catholics teach Salvation by works and made this posr:
My response
New Advent is a good site and I use it myself.
However it not an official publication of the Catholic Church and I think it is better to go to authoritative Church documents rather than rely on second hand interpretations. By authoritative Church documents I mean, for example, documents such as those from General Councils and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The major document on Justification was produced at the sixth session of the Council of Trent.
And whereas the Apostle saith, that man is justified by faith and freely, those words are to be understood in that sense which the perpetual consent of the Catholic Church hath held and expressed; to wit, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation, and the root of all Justification; without which it is impossible to please God, and to come unto the fellowship of His sons: but we are therefore said to be justified freely, because that none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification. For, if it be a grace, it is not now by works, otherwise, as the same Apostle says, grace is no more grace.
Note the two items I have emboldened.
1. we are therefore said to be justified by faith
2. none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification.
This is eactly what Eph 2:8-9 says.
And from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1996 Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life. (Cf Jn 1:12-18;17:3; Rom 8:14-17; 2Pet 1:3-4) - italics original
1987 The grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us, that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ" and through Baptism: (Rom 3:22; cf 6:3-4)
The Catholic Church does not teach salvation by works
Catholic Salvation:
This says grace only inspires one to come to God but their is no salvation without works. Baptism is not required by the Bible, it is a sign of the change within a person. Penance does not exist in the Bible.New Advent
It begins with the grace of God which touches a sinner's heart, and calls him to repentance. This grace cannot be merited; it proceeds solely from the love and mercy of God. Man may receive or reject this inspiration of God, he may turn to God or remain in sin. Grace does not constrain man's free will.
Thus assisted the sinner is disposed for salvation from sin; he believes in the revelation and promises of God, he fears God's justice, hopes in his mercy, trusts that God will be merciful to him for Christ's sake, begins to love God as the source of all justice, hates and detests his sins.
This disposition is followed by justification itself, which consists not in the mere remission of sins, but in the sanctification and renewal of the inner man by the voluntary reception of God's grace and gifts, whence a man becomes just instead of unjust, a friend instead of a foe and so an heir according to hope of eternal life. This change happens either by reason of a perfect act of charity elicited by a well disposed sinner or by virtue of the Sacrament either of Baptism or of Penance according to the condition of the respective subject laden with sin. The Council further indicates the causes of this change. By the merit of the Most Holy Passion through the Holy Spirit, the charity of God is shed abroad in the hearts of those who are justified.
Works earn rewards and result from salvation. They play no role in obtaining salvation, contrary to what the RCC teaches.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
All denominations do not agree on the essential core issues. The RCC redefines grace to non-Biblical meaning.
Show me where the Bible talks about penance for sin. Where Baptism is required for salvation.
My response
New Advent is a good site and I use it myself.
However it not an official publication of the Catholic Church and I think it is better to go to authoritative Church documents rather than rely on second hand interpretations. By authoritative Church documents I mean, for example, documents such as those from General Councils and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The major document on Justification was produced at the sixth session of the Council of Trent.
CHAPTER VIII.
In what manner it is to be understood, that the impious is justified by faith, and gratuitously.
In what manner it is to be understood, that the impious is justified by faith, and gratuitously.
And whereas the Apostle saith, that man is justified by faith and freely, those words are to be understood in that sense which the perpetual consent of the Catholic Church hath held and expressed; to wit, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation, and the root of all Justification; without which it is impossible to please God, and to come unto the fellowship of His sons: but we are therefore said to be justified freely, because that none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification. For, if it be a grace, it is not now by works, otherwise, as the same Apostle says, grace is no more grace.
Note the two items I have emboldened.
1. we are therefore said to be justified by faith
2. none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification.
This is eactly what Eph 2:8-9 says.
And from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1996 Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life. (Cf Jn 1:12-18;17:3; Rom 8:14-17; 2Pet 1:3-4) - italics original
1987 The grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us, that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ" and through Baptism: (Rom 3:22; cf 6:3-4)
But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom 6:8-11)
The Catholic Church does not teach salvation by works