Expert: Sal - 3/16/2007

Question
Hi i'm a  student searching for the right Christian faith, here are some questions I have about catholicism

Is this the catholic stance on salvation: Received at baptism; may be lost by mortal sin; regained by penance?

Scenarios: Are these people going to hell according to catholic doctrine?
 Non-baptized baby or child that passes way
       Missing Mass on Sunday without a good reason
       Not going to confession
       Eating red meat on a Friday during Lent
       Divorced and re-married


Sacraments aside, how much does God care about good works and do they increase your chances of going to Heaven?

Is one to interpret the Bible in a literal sense or symbolically?                            I.e.  Matthew 18:8-9
“ So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet”

Will other non-catholic Christians go to heaven?

What happens to the 3 Billion Non-Christian Jews, Muslims, Hindus etc.. After death?

Is Purgatory described in the Bible ?

How does the Catholic catechism correlate with the Bible?

How does the infallibility of the Pope correlate with the Bible?  

Answer
Dear Mark:

First let me apologize for the delay in replying. I have been having computer problems, now on to your questions. The Catholic stand on salvation is that we must workout our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). One cannot know that he is saved. Salvation is a life long process. We must keep trying to obtain righteousness until the end. The idea of assurance of salvation is not biblical. Sin separates us from God. All mortal sins must be confessed in the sacrament of Penance in order to be forgiven.

Of the 5 scenarios you presented only the first one can be answered with certainty. Non-baptized babies and children that die will not go to hell. The other 4 scenarios cannot be answered with the information given. There are many factors that would be involved in determining their eternal destiny. Were those people aware of their sins? Did they understand the importance of the laws that they were transgressing? Did they sin freely or were they pressured into the sin? In the case of confession had that person committed a mortal sin? Did he know that it was mortal? Did he know that confession is required? In the case of the divorce and remarriage was an annulment granted? As you can see I can’t give an informed answer to those scenarios.

Good works are very important to God and directly related to our salvation. Jesus states that those who do good works for others are actually doing them for him and that these people will inherit eternal salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). St. James tells us that without good works one will not inherit the kingdom (James 2:14-26). In the only place in the Bible where “faith alone” is mentioned the Holy Spirit put “not by” in front of them. “You must perceive that a person is justified by his works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). St. John teaches, “Little children, let us love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it” (1 John 3:18).

The Bible may be interpreted in both the literal and symbolic senses. It depends on the context as to which way we choose to interpret. In your example Jesus is using hyperbole to make a point. He certainly is not speaking literally.

Yes, non-Catholics may go to heaven depending on how they lived their lives. Non-Christians also may go to heaven.

Purgatory is described by Jesus in Luke 16:19-26.

The Catholic Catechism correlates very well with the Bible. The Catechism contains many references to the Bible in support of its teachings.

The infallibility of the Pope is biblical. For example, we see in the prophecy of Isaiah that the Church to come will teach all nations the truth of God; therefore, this Church must possess infallibility or it could not teach the truth (Isaiah 2:2-3; also restated in Micah 4:1-2). Jesus tell the Apostles, the first Catholic bishops, that the Holy Spirit will speak through them (Matthew 10:20). Jesus implied that his Church could not speak falsely. “He who hears you hears me” (Luke 10:16). The Holy Spirit will infallibly teach the Church the truth (John 14:26; 16:13). If the Church were not infallible Jesus would not say that if someone does not listen to it they are to be excommunicated (Matthew 18:15-17).

It is an obvious deduction that in order for a Church to be infallible its head must be infallible. Thus Jesus in declaring St. Peter to be the first Pope also announces that he will have infallibility (Matthew 16:19). The Pope is to correct and encourage the other bishops (Luke 22:32). Jesus makes Pope Peter the shepherd of the Church. He then commands St. Peter to feed the flock (John 21:15-17). This means that what the Pope feeds the flock must be infallibly true. The bishops recognize that the Holy Spirit speaks through them when they are in unity with the Pope (Acts 15:28). And finally, St. Paul calls the Church “the pillar and foundation of truth” (1Timothy 3:15). If the Church could teach error this statement of St. Paul would be meaningless.

The Catholic Church has never been proven to be wrong on any infallible teaching that they have issued over their 1, 974 years!

If I can be of further help please do not hesitate to ask.

God Bless You,
Sal