Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 11/28/2006

Question
Eldred Greg,

I have been reading over some of the posts on this message board, especially the exchanges b/w you and Mr. Jackson.

As a practicing Catholic Christian, I too, have to ask why there seems to be a bias out there toward Catholic beliefs.  I'm the first to admit that over it's 2,000 year history, Church leaders have made many poor decisions and seen it's share of sinners come and go.  Come join us :)

But it seems that the perspective I have, as one practicing my faith, is much different from that of an outsider looking in.  

I would say that of course (practicing) Catholics are born-again and have accepted Jesus as their personal lord and savior. We just have a different understanding of how Scripture should be interpreted than our Protestant and Orthodox brothers and sisters.  If the Bible was completely self-interpreting, there would not be the extreme divisions in sola scriptura Protestantism we see today.

To limit the risk of this getting too long and rambling, let's just center on the theology of justification.  Catholics believe that "by grace alone, through faith in Christ's saving work, are we called by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who equips and calls us to good works."  (I put that in quotes b/c that is the crux of a joint-accord signed by the Vatican and Lutheran World Federation).  

Ephesians 2 tells us we're saved by grace through faith apart from works.  The Church teaches just that, but passages like Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-26 discuss the truly bibilical formula of salvation by grace through a "faith working in love." (Galatians 5:6).  If we can agree on this, than the differences become merely semantic.  

I'm not sure if this rambling makes any sense, but I truly want other Christians to understand that practicing Catholicism is truly biblical, despite differences in opinion on how Scripture should be interpeted.

God Bless,

Edward

Answer
Edward,

Greetings! Thank you for the kind words, though I am not sure exactly how to respond. Since you have read my previous conversation with Mr. Jackson, I suppose you understand my views of the catholic church. So I will address the subject of justification.

Rom. 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Justification: Greek: dikaivwsiß; the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to him

You wrote that "Catholics believe that 'by grace alone, through faith in Christ's saving work, are we called by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who equips and calls us to good works'".
I submit to you that it is not a matter of semantics, and that the catholic church does not believe
Eph. 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  
2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Let me quote from the catechism of the catholic church and address a few ways this is true.

1. Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus- No Salvation Outside of Roman Church

845 To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. the Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. the Church is "the world reconciled." She is that bark which "in the full sail of the Lord's cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world." According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah's ark, which alone saves from the flood.334

"Outside the Church there is no salvation"

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

2. The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church lists these requirements as necessary for salvation.

A. Taking of sacraments.
1129 The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.51 "Sacramental grace" is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament. the Spirit heals and transforms those who receive him by conforming them to the Son of God. the fruit of the sacramental life is that the Spirit of adoption makes the faithful partakers in the divine nature52 by uniting them in a living union with the only Son, the Savior.

B. Baptism
1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.59 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.60 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.61 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
 
Edward, these are but the tip of the iceberg, and the Lord has burdened me to offer all those who are on the sinking ship of catholicism a way of escape. Do not misunderstand me, I do believe that the truth of Gods Word is taught in the catholic church, but it is so watered down with idolatry, praying to the dead, traditions of men, and so many other false doctrines that only a precious few are able to find that truth. I mean no disrespect to you, but this is my concern, not my vendetta.

Please feel free to write back.
Elder Greg Madden

Elder Greg Madden