The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Roman Catholicism and salvation

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Scott replies: Pilgrim, it appears that you too have not followed the point I raised with Paul_S. I realize you've been taught that Catholics practice a works/salvation system - and I realize it's difficult to admit that all those who preach that nonsense are wrong - but that doesn't change the fact that they are wrong. I clearly laid out and echoed what the context of: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees . . ." was, and that was that St. Paul was preaching against works of the law. That, in fact, is the focal point of nearly all of St. Paul's references to "works," but especially this one. Catholicism is not about "works of the law" but, "works done in the state of grace." It goes without saying that grace preceeds such works. What is faith without works? Can such a faith save you? Please, answer me that.

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The fact is that I did follow the point which Paul_S made and your response to it. The fact is that you are either incapable of comprehending it and/or you are ensnared by your own obstinance against the truth of it. As I wrote before, and it shall be my refrain forever more, the Roman Catholic church speaks of "grace" but in fact it is works+grace=salvation that it teaches. And for your information and for the record, the fact is that no one taught me to believe that the RCC teaches synergism. It is fact that it is taught throughout its OFFICIAL documentation and was made most clear at the Council of Trent although it has been iterated profusely and in myriad ways before and since that document was written. In fact, you have spent some time trying to defend this fact even here over the past few weeks.

The fact is that Rome has consistently denied that faith alone, apart from works of ANY KIND, although truth faith is evidenced in "good works", contributes anything to justification. Remember the phrase:

simul iustus et peccatorIt is Christ's "work" that is IMPUTED to the sinner; not the sinner's alleged "good works" that are appended to faith. Nor, is Christ's "work" infused into a sinner which is then co-mingled with faith unto justification. Your sophistry in trying to distinguish between "works of the law" and "works done in the state of grace" can never be defended from Scripture as has been shown by countless men over the centuries.

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The "sons of the Reformation" are nothing but protestors against Christ's Church that He founded and existed some 1500 years prior to the revolt. That same Church exists today, and will continue until Christ returns in glory, just as He promised it would.

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That the RCC is the Church that Christ founded is not fact but presumption on your part. For, Christ never founded His church on a teaching of a synergistic salvation, but upon Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria. The fact is that the Reformers never protested against the CHURCH, but against the horrid corruption which Rome had introduced into the CHURCH. And let's get the facts straight, shall we? There were many who lived long before Luther who held to the doctrines of GRACE. Rome tried desperately to annihilate all vestiges of those who held to the truth of the Gospel. But as Christ promised, "I shall build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." So, my friend, we who hold tenaciously to the hem of Christ's garment in faith alone are still here. And we shall oppose Rome and her abominable doctrines of works salvation until Christ returns to gather His elect from the four corners of the globe. We shall then co-judge with Him and see Rome and all those she has deceived cast into the Lake of Fire to the glory of God. That is a fact!!