Catholic Doctrine is from Christ

Rk May 8, 2013 at 4:59 pm
So far, only having glanced over this, I spotted one thing very new

Very new TO YOU. Catholic Doctrine has been around from the time of the Apostles. It is Christ who taught Catholic Doctrine.

– that Catholics believe in initial justification and then increasing ‘justification’ (I suppose ‘sanctification’ is yet another thing)

You would be wrong. There is no such term as “initial justification” in the Catholic soteriology. Conversion is the beginning of Justification. Perhaps that is what you are confusing with the so-called “initial justification”. After conversion, one requests Baptism and is completely justified for the first time. If (or should I say, when) one commits sins after Baptism, then one must repent and ask forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and one is justified once more. This process of repeated washings by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments continues throughout our life.

Sanctification is the process of adopting holy habits and becoming a more righteous individual and goes hand in hand with the process of justification.

This definitive and progressive justification (akin to protestant definitive and progressive sanctification?)

I don’t know anything about Protestant sanctification. But the Catholic Church teaches that we adopt holy habits and become holy as God is holy. As we add to our faith, knowledge and all good virtues, we make our election sure and attain to the heights of righteousness without which one will not see God.
Revelation 22:12-15
King James Version (KJV)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

However, I have heard that the Protestants consider Justification only a forensic or legal thing where the creature is not truly changed.

But for the Catholic, we believe that the creature is new born when God washes Him in the waters of regeneration. And we believe our souls are truly cleansed in the fount of Sacramental confession. And that we become united to God in the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

does explain to me why my Catholic friends are so relaxed about their own salvation when I had thought that catholic teaching would permit no such grounds.

I’m not sure what you mean by that? Perhaps you are comparing the Protestant preoccupation with salvation to the Catholic knowledge that God is our Judge. We are not preoccupied with judging our souls nor those of others because we trust in God and hope in Him. The Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 4:2-5
King James Version (KJV)
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

It seems a bit like ‘now you see it; now you don’t’ carrot and stick. To the wayward, the Church can say they will be judged on final works (other than as covered by confession/penance which will be sorted out in purgatory). For the nervous, Mother Church can remind them of their baptism and their initial but adequate justification.
I have put it crudely and I apologise, but the danger of this is that it produces ‘tightrope’ salvation based on a ‘tightrope’ state of mind of supplicant. It is not so much that God’s mercy overwhelms his justice, but that both hang in the balance and the supplicant must walk warily between Scylla and Charybdis.
In the case of my friends, perhaps they are nervous when with the priest and wayward out of church??? possible, surely

More likely, you don’t understand either Catholic soteriology nor Protestant. As for your friends, I don’t know them. If you don’t think they understand Catholic Doctrine, send them to the Catholic Church. But please don’t try to teach them anything about the Catholic Church yourself. Because it is obvious that you don’t understand the Catholic Teaching.

Sincerely,

De Maria

God's work is accomplished through us

DE MARIA June 8, 2013 at 1:34 pm

THE OLD ADAM June 8, 2013 at 7:14 am
The more that I interact on Christian blogs the more I realize that my pastor is right.
When I talk to him about people’s objections to the grace of God in favor of self-ascendant “Christian” schemes. he tells me, “The clay is baked.” He says, “why do you think Jesus told the disciples to dust off their sandals and leave?”

That is a false allegation. We neither separate the grace of God from His works accomplished through us, nor do we call it self ascendancy. It is you who describe it so. And it is this type of dishonesty which will prove your downfall.

In fact, it is you and all Protestants who practice so called, “self ascendancy ” since it is you who promote the idea of claiming your own salvation and thus usurping God’s authority to judge your soul.

Sometimes the clay is baked. And that’s it.
The older I get, the smarter my pastor gets.

Whether you are saved or not is God’s to decide. And God promised salvation only to those who obey His Son:
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

That means, keeping the Commandments:
John 14:21-24
King James Version (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Alternatives to Toilet Paper

Hi, well, this is a departure from my usual theme.  But I thought this might be helpful for those of you who might be suffering through some of the unexpected consequences of the #Coronavirus pandemic.

Well, at least, I was caught by surprise.  Yesterday, I went shopping.  Something I rarely do, my wife takes care of that for the family.  Well, I went to one store, and they were apparently allowing people in the store one at a time.  A long line was forming.

I went to another store to look for a small bottle of hand sanitizer to replace the one I normally carry in the car.  And the store was cleaned out of hand sanitizer in every size.  At that point, I decided I'd leave the shopping to my wife.

So, I went home.  I turned on YouTube and saw several videos about toilet paper.  How it had now become a valuable, sought after commodity which was in high demand because of its short supply?  What?  Really?  Apparenly, China makes our toilet paper too?  Does China make everything?  I thought they only made cars and electronic equipment.

Anyway,  I went to wondering what I would do if toilet paper ran out in the entire US.

Well, my regular job takes me to out of the way places where my co-workers and I frequently run out of toilet paper.  We've had to get creative in order to achieve our toilet hygiene.  But I won't go into all of those, just the ones that are more realistic in a household, family situation.

a.  Baby wipes.  They work really well as adult wipes, also.  And, there is also a category called flushable wipes.  I normally don't flush them, though.  I'm afraid to clog up the toilet.

b.  Nasal tissue.  Yes, they wipe up boogers.  Then can also wipe up doodoo.  Just make sure you have a couple of them so that your fingers don't break through and get stained.

c.  Paper towels.  As you can see from the opening cartoon image.  That's a frequently used alternative.  I wouldn't flush them, though.  Just make sure to empty your garbage can, very frequently.

d.  If you're really desperate, newspaper.  This is what we used to use when I was young.  We lived in a barrio and the apartments had no toilets.  We had to go to the alley where there was a row of public toilets with squares of newspaper conveniently provided by the landlord, for those who had forgotten their toilet paper.  Ugh.

e.  Bidets.  Never heard of them?  These are the things that actually wash your hiney.  I understand they're not too popular in the US.   We don't have them.  But I googled "alternatives to toilet paper" and handheld bidets came up.  Here's a video.

Just from looking at that thing, I think you could save money by putting water in a spray bottle and using that as a temporary measure.

f.  Here's a list of other alternatives which I found on Google.

Well, here are some alternatives in case you really have to go.
Paper - If you're in a pinch, paper is an option. ...
Bidet - You've probably heard of these before. ...
Sponge - Hey, it was popular in the days of Ancient Rome. ...
Rags - Old rags are best. ...
Cotton balls.
Receipts - especially the ones that you would rather forget.


As you know, I normally don't write about things like this.  I hope it was helpful and that you enjoyed it.  And, if you have any other suggestions, share them in the comments.

 May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones healthy.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The Law and the Gospel

1. 
   DE MARIA May 9, 2013 at 12:12 pm

   RD May 9, 2013 at 1:39 am
   De Maria
   1. As you know, the word ‘Gospel’ means good news, and this good news relates to God’s plan of salvation.

   Correct.

   2. Paul however clearly distinguishes between gospel and law.

   Where?

   The command to love your neighbour is a command and as such it is law, the lex Christi. It is not the gospel; it is the law that drives us to the gospel

   The Law brings us to Christ. The Gospel is the Good News of Christ. But Christ did not dispense with the Ten Commandments. As it is written:
   John 14:21
   He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

   3. Nor is suffering the gospel, though it may be the means by which God disciplines His children

   Suffering with Christ is a very important part of the Gospel:
   1 Peter 2:21
   For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

   By suffering and dying on the Cross, Christ gave us the lesson of how we will also go to heaven with Him. Again, it is written:
   Romans 8:17
   And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

   4. The law is in essence what God demands from us; the good news of the gospel is essentially what God has done for us in Christ in the face of our failure to obey the law.

   The Gospel is the good news that God still loves us and still saves those who obey His Commandments. And He sent His only begotten Son to give us an example of how we can be saved through Him.

   Hebrews 5:9
   And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Love makes the world go round

1. DE MARIA May 8, 2013 at 6:25 pm

   RD May 8, 2013 at 5:05 pm
   The Gospel as Faith Working Through Love ???

   Correct.

   The Gospel is God’s (covenantal) love for his people;

   That is only part of the truth. The Gospel is also Jesus’ example to His people that they should follow in His steps:
   1 Peter 2:21
   For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

   The Gospel is also God calling to His people:
   Matthew 9:13
   But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

   And the Gospel also shows the example of many who responded to God’s call:
   Acts 2:47
   Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

   And this is not all that the Gospel is, but only a short summary.

   it is not man’s love for his neighbor

   Yes, it is:
   Matthew 22:37-40
   King James Version (KJV)
   37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
   38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
   40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

   Love of God and love of neighbor is the complete Gospel. There is nothing else.

   though that should flow on and follow as indeed should man’s love for God We should surely not confuse cause and effect

   We haven’t.

   If we do, the outside world might well have a very big picture of the church but a very small picture of God – which I take it is not what we want

   God is love and love makes the world go round. If the world has a small picture of God, it is the world which will suffer for it. But we are not of the world:
   John 15:18-20
   King James Version (KJV)
   18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
   20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

   Sincerely,

   De Maria

Those who are saved will be drawn from the pool of those who keep the Law.

RT said:

True, its not the only way for you.

For anyone. And I know of many who followed the same route.

But it is the final deciding factor

Says who?

such that proving a line of succession according to Roman dogma is the final deciding factor in proving the church,

Says who? There are many deciding factors and they can come in any order. What makes you think this one even has to make the top ten? Where is it written? I want to see. Did someone take a poll? or what?

and that you’ll ignore the many, many breaks in that succession,

There are none.

ignore infallibility

The Pope and the Church united to him are infallible. Scripture tells me so.

when a heretical pope sits in the chair of Peter, etc.

If any pope ever taught heresy, he never taught it from the chair of Peter intending to bind the entire Church.

Quoting a verse with no exegesis proves nothing.

The Scripture I quoted is clear.

Nothing in this passage indicates that Peter is the supreme bishop of bishops. It’s simply an account of Peter’s restoration after denying Christ and a confirmation that His sin did not invalidate His apostolic ministry.

Jesus did not take anyone else aside and tell them to feed His sheep. Therefore, St. Peter is the Bishop of Bishops.

I see countless churches that have have a humble pastor, all in submission to Christ, the one true Pastor.

But very few with a Pastor who claims authority over the entire Church as Christ appointed.

I see one church who’s pontiff has historically claimed that he is the voice of God on earth and that apart from submission to him, there is no salvation.

Exactly as you would expect from a Church whose Shepherd was given the keys to the Kingdom of heaven and to whom Jesus gave the authority to bind and loose:
Matthew 16:18-19
King James Version (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Infallibility is promised where in this passage?

Where it says, “what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. What you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

And since a few chapters later, the authority to bind and loose is given to all the apostles, this passage if interpreted consistently would necessitate the infallibility of all apostles and all their successors (under certain circumstances).

That is correct. The entire Catholic Church is infallible when joined with the Pope in ecumenical council to proclaim Doctrine which will affect the entire Church.

But we don’t have the Bishops of Los Angeles or Madrid standing up and claiming to make infallible statements, do we?

Jesus only took one of the Bishops aside and gave him the keys that bind and loose. The others must do it in union with the entire Church.

And for a church that is supposed to be based on the “unanimous consent of the Fathers,” the fact that the church fathers were not united on this passage providing a special charism to the bishop of Rome is quite telling.

The unanimous consent of the Fathers is always arrived in ecumenical council.

Where is infallibility in this passage?

In Eph 3:10 the Church is described as teaching the Wisdom of God. Is the Wisdom of God fallible in your opinion?

And if it is there, where does it say that infallibility is limited a la Rome?

The Catholic Church is the only Church being described in Scripture. Therefore, no other group is indicated.

Rome is not consistent, claiming infallibility only on decisions that it currently likes, not past ones such as the crusades.

If Catholics had not waged the Crusades, you would be worshipping Allah five times a day now. But instead of being grateful for the brave Catholics who fought for your religious freedom, you now insult them.

Moreover, there are constant warnings about false teachers in the church

But there are no warnings that the Church teaches falsely. Instead the Bible only says that the Church is the Pillar of Truth (1 Tim 3:15).

and Paul commends us in the book of Acts to note their presence according to what they teach and not whether or not they can claim a lineage of laying on of hands that stretches back to the apostles.

You are mistaken:
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 3:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2 Thessalonians 2:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Then, of course, a church’s lampstand can be taken away if it falls into serious error.

An individual church led by an individual Bishop. But not a Church which is united to the Pope.

Of course, your infallible church now says that Protestant denominations are imperfect manifestations of the church and that we’re all basically going to heaven.

That is your spin and error. The Church teaches a truth which you don’t understand. God judges who goes to heaven or hell based upon their faith and works. The Catholic Church offers the best helps to get all men to heaven. But neither the Catholic Church nor any other can get you there if you refuse to do the Commandments of God.

1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

So even by your own standards, I have no good reason to become Roman Catholic because I can be saved outside the church.

Have it your way. But it is evident from your postings that you know about the Catholic Church and have rejected her. Therefore you are rejecting Christ who established her and who gives Himself to us through the Eucharist in the Mass, daily:
Hebrews 10:25-36
King James Version (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

If I can’t get past the Marian dogmas because of ignorance,

God is your judge. Whether it is obstianance or ignorance, He will let you know.

I’m still okay because of my baptism.

Did you remain without sin after your Baptism? How about Confession?

I should become Roman Catholic why?

Because of the Sacraments. Because in the Sacraments the Holy Spirit washes your soul with the grace of God and you partake of the Divine Nature.

My soul is no longer in danger since Vatican II

That is not the teaching of the Church, but your own.

Yes, Jesus established one church, and the divisions are tragic. But papering over them with a paper-thin institutional unity so that even liberals and apostates are not excommunicated is not the answer. When John Kerry and Rick Santorum are both members in good standing of your church, something is seriously, seriously wrong with Rome’s definition of unity

Again, have you not ever read Scripture before in you r life? Or do you simply paper over the Word of God?

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

. When Mother Teresa and pro-abortion nuns are both seen as significant spiritual figures in the Roman Catholic church, something is serious, seriously wrong with Rome’s definition of unity.

That which is wrong is your knowledge and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you understood, you would believe the Teaching of the Church.

Or, if you merely humbled yourself and obeyed the Scripture which says:
Hebrews 13:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

But it seems obvious that you prefer to change the Word of God than to accept the Teaching of Jesus Christ and live:
2 Peter 3:16
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

The view that all churches sprang from the church of Rome is historically naive and outright false. Even the Eastern Orthodox would deny it.

They can deny the truth all they want. But the truth is true whether anyone believes it or not.

Sincerely,

De Maria

God will make us perfect

RT said:

The perfection God demands does go beyond the written code at least in the sense that the written code does not contain in explicit fashion all that God demands. But even Jesus expected the leaders of his day to know of those deeper demands as good and necessary consequences of what is written.
The apostles did not view the written code as superfluous, as they keep telling us to read it to learn how to follow the Lord.

I see them exhorting us to listen to them, to obey them and to follow good examples in order to follow Christ:
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Where do they exhort us to read in order to learn how to follow Christ?

The full writing of the law on the heart is something that we are yet waiting for in the consummation. We experience it in part now by the Spirit, in its fullness later on.

Please provide a Scripture so I know what you are talking about. I don’t see anything about partial writings on our heart.

If love infused in the heart is the perfection that God demands, then Roman Catholicism collapses in on itself.

You’re quick to condemn, aren’t you? Yet the Catholic Church continues to teach the Love of God throughout the world, whether you believe it or not. The Catholic Church is the voice of God in this world.

For you have to keep adding things to it—namely justifingly meritorious good works—to secure your final justification.

In hope that we will be justified. Scripture says:
2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Do you deny the truth of these words?

If the love has to be perfected in such ways, it is not, by its nature, perfect love.

Even Jesus was perfected:
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

The law indeed points to love—perfect love that always operates selflessly, obeying God completely because nothing less than perfect love expressed in the doing of all of God’s commands in every way. None of us does that.

Do not despair. Simply refrain from self-judgment. We are all unprofitable servants:
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

But if you refrain from doing your duty because you despair in the mercy and power of God to make you perfect, then you will be lost.

None of the OT Jews were regenerated

DE MARIA March 29, 2013 at 9:09 am

ER March 24, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Was Abraham regenerated and re-created by the power of the Holy Spirit?

None of the Jews were regenerated. That is why they had to await the coming of Christ in order to receive the promises (Heb 11:39-40).

The Holy Spirit blows where it will

DE MARIA March 28, 2013 at 1:54 pm

Jason,

I agree wholeheartedly. My only question is, “how do you see that agape poured out?”

You said:

….when the source of that agape would be poured out upon the people of God and infused into their hearts (Gal. 4:1-6; Rom. 5:5).

Titus 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

My emphasis upon the Sacraments might lead some to believe that I think it is the only way by which God pours grace into the world. But that is far from true. I follow the Catholic Teaching:

1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. 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. 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.

Therefore the Scripture teaches that the Spirit blows where it will (John 3:8).

Two Paradigms

1. DE MARIA 
   Anon says: 

   The Gospel as Faith Working Through Love

   In our last post we shifted gears from discussing a handful of the many New Testament passages that are unlikely to have arisen from a soteriological paradigm resembling the basic Protestant gospel, to considering the question, “If a sola fide-type paradigm is unlikely to have given rise to the NT teachings of Jesus and his followers, what type of gospel paradigm would have?”

   In my opinion, two paradigms nested one within the other.

   1. The overall paradigm, faith which works by love. This is the Law of the Commandments which we are still obligated to keep.

   2. The nested paradigm, faith apart from works of the law. This is the justification which occurs in the Sacraments. These are the efficacious signs which have replaced the ineffective animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. They are entirely works of God to which we present ourselves in faith, believing that He will accomplish all which He has promised.

   3. I believe this nested paradigm is what Luther confused with faith alone.

   We took as our springboard the exchange between Jesus and the scribe, in which the latter came to understand that love of God and neighbor eclipses in significance the sacrificial system of the Mosaic law, thence being described by the Lord as “not far from the kingdom of God.”

   Agreed. Love fulfills the law.

   And further, I suggested that the scribe being merely near the kingdom rather than in it was due to the simple eschatological fact that while “the hour was coming” when the New Covenant would be inaugurated, the scribe was nonetheless still worshiping in a particular mountain, in the earthly Jerusalem, and under a typological covenant that was soon to expire.

   Due to the true justification of the Sacraments. The Scribe was near the Kingdom but not in it because he had never been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

   My argument henceforth will be that the rest of the NT writers operated from this basic gospel paradigm that the Spirit-wrought love of God and neighbor that the New Covenant bestows is what fulfills the law and graciously results in our gaining eternal life, and this basic supposition is what gave rise to the inspired words they wrote.

   This is true for both, final judgment which is judged according to our faith and works and the Sacramental (1 Cor 11:27-28) self examination which one must undergo before receiving a Sacrament. Before one receives a Sacrament, one must repent of his sins and be in a state of grace. Which amounts to keeping the Commandments:
   1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law..

   We will start with Paul to the Galatians, specifically chapters 5 and 6. For the sake of brevity I will cite only the verses pertinent to my argument, but if you feel I skipped something significant, don’t hesitate to point it out:
   If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you … You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace … For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love … For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” … But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh … But the fruit of the Spirit is love … the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (vv. 5:2, 4, 6, 14, 16, 22; 6:8)
   Some things worth noting:
   1. The context is justification,

   Agreed.

   which is clear from the fact that Paul is addressing those who wanted to be “justified by the law.”

   Agreed.

   2. The form that justification by the law takes for Paul is circumcision.

   The SIGN is circumcision. As I understand St. Paul, to be justified by the law is to await the Judgment of God on the Last Day. That is why he says, “Christ will be of no advantage to you”. Because, in the Sacraments, Christ justifies us, He washes away our sins by the power of the Holy Spirit.

   3. While circumcision avails nothing for justification, what does avail for justification is “faith working through love.”

   To be more precise.
   Neither circumcision (Jews) nor uncircumcision (Gentiles) avail anything. Final justification is by faith working through love.

   It is Catholic Doctrine that a baptized person who does not keep the Golden Law of Love, can not be saved.

   837 “Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who – by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion – are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’”321

   4. Like Jesus before him, Paul adopts and cites the paradigmatic refrain that love fulfills the law.

   Agreed. For in the very same chapter he says, “such as these transgress no law (Gal 5:22-23).

   5. This law-fulfilling love is the fruit of the Spirit, whom Christ sheds forth under the New Covenant (cf. 4:1ff).

   Agreed.

   6. The “faith working through love” which avails for justification is also called “walking by the Spirit” and “sowing to the Spirit.”

   Agreed.

   7. The result of this faith working through love and sowing to the Spirit is reaping eternal life.

   Yes. But this sowing to the Spirit is accomplished in this life, by the Sacraments.
   But for those who do not receive the Sacraments, Jews, Protestants, pagans and the like, it is accomplished with respect to God’s Judgment, on the Last Day:
   Revelation 22:12-15
   King James Version (KJV)
   12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
   13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
   14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
   15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

   Thus the progression that will emerge among the other NT writers is seen explicitly here. According to this progression, the Son bestows the Spirit who bears the fruit of divine love in our hearts,

   In this life, via the Sacraments:

   Hebrews 12:17-24
   King James Version (KJV)
   17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
   18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
   19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
   20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
   21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
   22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
   23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
   24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

   and if we walk in that love, we will reap eternal life.

   This is true for Protestant, Pagan, Jew, Orthodox or Catholic. The difference is that Catholics and Orthodox, because of their faith in the Sacraments, will reap eternal life in this life. The others must await the Judgment.

   Yes, Protestants are baptized. But they have no faith in the Baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16).

   This is all subsumed by Paul under the phrase, “faith working through love.” This is the paradigm from which Paul wrote and taught, and is nothing less than the gospel itself.

   Agreed.

No strings attached

1. DE MARIA June 8, 2013 at 12:43 pm

   THE OLD ADAM June 8, 2013 at 6:12 am
   Once again…a different definition of the gospel.

   That is what Luther brought.

   “Unmerited favor”.

   What about it? Please provide an Scriptural response that I can look up and verify.

   “Your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake”.

   If you turn to God and do good:
   Romans 2:13
   King James Version (KJV)
   13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

   Fully, completely, no strings attached.

   Scripture says:
   1 Corinthians 6:9
   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

   In order to be saved, you must do good:
   Revelation 22:14
   King James Version (KJV)
   14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

   To the extent that the Catholic Church announces that, I say Amen! Do it again!

   The Catholic Church only announces the truth. You are saying amen to traditions of men.

   And don’t stop. Keep announcing it into the faces of all those who don’t quite believe it it. That they may hear…and by God’s grace, believe.

   We believe the truth which is taught by the Catholic Church to all who will listen:
   1 Timothy 3:15
   King James Version (KJV)
   15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

   Thanks God for priests and laypeople who have the guts to stand up in the face of real power and speak the truth!

   That is what the Catholic Church does, day in and day out, throughout the world.

   Sort of like the whistleblowers in all of this current IRS scandal, etc. These guys know what is going on is WRONG.

   The Catholic Church speaks out against tyranny and evil and has done so since the time of Christ.

   But yet their fear of power hurting them doesn’t stop them from doing the right thing.
   Luther saw the Church selling forgiveness to poor people and finally said ENOUGH!

   Luther saw an opportunity to cash in and become rich and took it.

   This isn’t the pure gospel or anything remotely close to it.

   You are correct. Luther’s gospel is a gospel perverted. Any man who would incite husbands to commit adultery does not understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
   One spouse may rob and withdraw himself or herself from the other and refuse to grant the conjugal due or to associate with the other. One may find a woman so stubborn and thick-headed that it means nothing to her though her husband fall into unchasteness ten times. Then it is time for the man to say: If you are not willing, another woman is; if the wife is not willing, bring on the maid. But this only after the husband has told his wife once or twice, warned her, and let it be known to other people that her stubborn refusal may be publicly known and rebuked before the congregation. If she still does not want to comply, then dismiss her; let an Esther be given you and allow Vashti to go, as did King Ahasuerus (Esther 2:17).

   
   

   (Quoted from Ewald M. Plass, ed., What Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for Active Christians (St. Louis: Concordia, 1991), paragraph 2811)

   And for that he was kicked out (he didn’t leave on his own) under a penalty of death.

   Let us look at Scripture:
   Hebrews 10:25-31
   King James Version (KJV)
   25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

   26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

   27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

   28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

   29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

   30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

   31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

   Luther induced thousands to abandon the Assembly. When they followed Luther out of the Church, they abandoned the gathering of the people of God and substituted the assembly of the people of Luther.

   
   But he kept at it, for the sake of the gospel and Christian freedom.
   Thank God for that little rebellious monk!

   I agree. Heresies have to come:
   1 Corinthians 11:19
   For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

   Sincerely,

   De Maria