Posted on 10/12/2002 1:59:34 PM PDT by fortheDeclaration
Amen!
I think that your definition admits the heresy of antinomianism. I could be persuaded otherwise.
That said, I'm sure I'm not competent to answer this question as fully as you might like, but I would go out on a limb and say that each individual works out there salvation with Jesus, not the RCC.
My understanding of the core RCC position on the sacraments is that they are a gift of the Holy Spirit, not a litmus test for salvation. The sacraments are certainly not "helping" God, though they do help us. We are called to work with God, but I don't think of it as a partnership. The best analogies are probably from Lord and serf, rather than modern business practice.
I am most disappointed in the acrimony of the debates, but I can see some of the differences are wide. The more I learn of Catholicism the more I see that it is a hard faith that asks a lot of a catechist or practitioner. It is not for the unlearned which is why so many of our children fall away -- and why so many scholars of Protestant faiths return.
It is also foreign to America's current mindset. It is something out of antiquity.
I hope that if RCs have hurt you, that you accept healing in my suffering and sorrow.
Your #34 was well put! Good summary of the Good News!
ftD's..................................#34....Amen!
Maranatha!
Thank you, that is a very Christian attitude.
Even those Protestants who deny eternal security (which are most of them) accept the fact that salavation must be a free gift not a work that you earn (Rom.6:23)
It is simply by faith because it is a gift, not a work that we can take credit for (Rom.4:4-5)
[Now, under any definition I would say that he meant alone without works, or merit (Eph.2:9) I think that your definition admits the heresy of antinomianism. I could be persuaded otherwise.]
Even those Protestants who deny eternal security (which are most of them) accept the fact that salavation must be a free gift not a work that you earn (Rom.6:23)
[It is simply by faith because it is a gift, not a work that we can take credit for (Rom.4:4-5)]
Yes,......saints are made/created as saints by God and HIS work,......NOT by Man and his organizations !
He is above 'religion' but He is a God of Doctrine (2Tim.3:16)
Amen.
My church is OK, not perfect, right now our big "worry" is paying our bills, you would think a church could live by faith.
What church is that?
A church (the Christians in it) should never 'worry' about anything.(2Cor.5:7)
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