Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/10/2007

Question
Dear Pastor Carpenter,
I just stumbled across an answer you gave to a young man having some relationship difficulties with his Catholic girlfriend.  I'm sure purely innocently, you answered his question incorrectly.  Catholics do not by any means believe we are saved by works.  Perhaps some ill informed Catholics at one point led you to that conclusion, but it was a wrong one.  Please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church for your reference, and read some recent joint statements on the nature of justification by the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran and Methodist bodies.  As Fulton Sheen said "There are fewer than a hundred people in America that hate the Catholic Church.  But there are millions who hate what they THINK is the Catholic Church" (no intent to imply you hate the Catholic Church, just a point that can't be over emphasized about the astounding preponderance of inaccuracies  about the Church believed to so many.)
Kindest regards,
Debbie H.

Answer
Hi Debbie,

Thank you for your concern.  It is interesting how the Roman Catholic Church adopts the wording of their dogma to the current trends of theology.  I have asked countless priests and other Catholic scholars what it takes to get to heaven.  They will reply with the idea of keeping the sacriments, being faithful, and trying hard.

If a certain religious institution teaches one thing, it is important to understand that God holds us as INDIVIDUALS responsible for what we believe.  Remember, if we try to mix faith in Christ's death burial and resurrection with our own efforts, then our works cancel out faith and we are simply condemned, not having fully trusted in Jesus.

Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 11:6
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

As far as your allogation that Catholics do not teach works... let me refer you to a Catholic web site
www.scripturecatholic.com.  

In this site the following points are made about salvation that I believe are absolutely incorrect.

Scripture
Good Works in Sanctifying Grace are Necessary for Salvation
We are not Guaranteed Salvation; We Hope for Salvation

Tradition / Church Fathers

We are Saved by Faith and Works, and Not Faith Alone
We are not “Once Saved, Always Saved”

The site goes on to attempt to justify their position through scriptures and volumes of Church tradition.  I know that the current evangelical friendly Catholic dogma would speak of faith in Christ, but they do not teach faith alone saves.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don