God is the authority over the Catholic Church.

De Maria March 30th, 2013 10:06 pm :

Hi Jonathan,

I’m responding to your comment #97.

I left out most of the discussion and only addressed the point of authority because the rest seemed to be about ad hominems. I didn’t see any point in entering that part of the discussion. Perhaps you and I can come to a better understanding.

You said on
March 9th, 2013 3:27 am 

I must admit, I on’t think I could have possibly asked for a better response to my posts….. We’re talking about what is the ultimate standard, and as such, there can only possibly be circular reasoning on the issue! I will freely admit that I start with God and his word as my foundation, and I end with God and his word as my foundation. Completely circular, and happily accepted as such.

I’ll have to challenge you on two points you made there.

1. That appealing to an ultimate standard must be by way of circular reasoning.

There is more than one way to appeal to an ultimate authority.

a. The Protestant methodology is circular. It is me and my Bible. If a Protestant is asked a question, the answer is invariably, “The Bible tells me so.”

b. Whereas Catholic methodology is many and varied. It can be circular, inductive or deductive, depending upon the situation.

i. Circular reasoning is not necessarily wrong. It is simply not persuasive when it is the only type of reasoning employed.
ii. Inductive reasoning is reasoning from the specific to the general.
iii. While deductive reasoning is reasoning from the general to the specific.

The Catholic methodology is more robust and persuasive than the Protestant methodology because we don’t rely upon Scripture alone. But upon Sacred Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium.

So, to contrast the Catholic situation with the Protestant. A Protestant will say, “the Bible tells me so.” Whereas a Catholic will say, “The Bible tells me so and that is confirmed in Sacred Tradition and in the Teaching of the Church (Magisterium). In addition, the Catholic methodology also admits historical and archaeological evidence. In fact, all branches of science are admissible in the Catholic court.

2. That you begin with God and his word as your foundation, and end with God and his word as your foundation.

In practice, you don’t. You begin with your own understanding and end with your own understanding as your foundation. That is why Protestants accuse Catholics of checking their brain at the door of the Catholic Church.

Let’s compare the Protestant and Catholic methodology again.

Say two Christians have a dispute upon what it says in Scripture. If they are Protestant, they debate. If neither is persuaded by the other, they simply go their way.

If two Catholics dispute about Scripture, they go to the Church for an authoritative decision. The Church tells them which is right and which is wrong. This is confirmed historically. See the debates between St. Athanasius vs Arius; and St. Augustine vs the Pelagians.

You also said:

As I mentioned last time, the Roman Catholic Church states that it’s ultimate authority is God. But in actuality, it is not God, but the Roman Catholic Church itself. So I’m starting to see that this is what I need to show my Roman Catholic friend – the Roman Catholic Church makes a subtle authority swap and slips itself into the place of God as the ultimate authority. Hopefully, he’ll be able to see it, and hopefully some of your comments here will help him. They really are quite good at exposing the ultimacy of the Roman Catholic Church in its own beliefs.

I’ll have to dispute that one also.

The authority over the Catholic Church is God. Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ is God. And it is Jesus Christ who empowered the Catholic Church to be the authority over His flock.

This is based upon the principle established by Jesus Christ:
Luke 10:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Jesus Christ was sent by the Father:
John 20:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me,…

And He sent the Church:
… even so send I you.

Again, Jesus was sent by the Father:
Matthew 28:18-20
King James Version (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

And He sent the Church.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

And that Church is the Catholic Church.

Sincerely,

De Maria

St. Paul was talking about the Sacraments

1. St. Paul’s teaching is precisely the teaching of the Catholic Church which is so beautifully expounded in the documents of the Council of Trent.
   Lets go back.
   1. The Council of Trent was gathered, in part, to respond to Luther’s errors. One of those errors was the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I think everyone here would agree with me on this point, right?
   2. Luther’s doctrine of faith alone is based primarily upon a misunderstanding of St. Paul’s teaching that we are justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Rom 3:28). That is, in fact, why he added the word “alone” to that verse. I think the Catholics here would agree with me on that point also, right?
   Notice that the Council did not respond by juxtaposing St. James teaching of justification by faith and works against St. Paul’s teaching. No. Its almost as though they forgot all about it. But they didn’t. They merely ignored it. They realized that St. Paul was not here reiterating St. Jame’s teaching, which is also a valid teaching. The Council focused upon justification which occurs in Baptism (Trent 6, Ch. IV).
   Why?
   Because they realized that St. Paul was not talking about justification by faith and works, but about justification that occurs in the Sacraments. The washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Here is the teaching of the Catechism on the Sacraments:
   740 These “mighty works of God,” offered to believers in the sacraments of the Church, bear their fruit in the new life in Christ, according to the Spirit. (This will be the topic of Part Three.)
   1127 Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. The Father always hears the prayer of his Son’s Church which, in the epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life whatever is subjected to his power.
   This is why later, the Council also says:

   CHAPTER VII
   IN WHAT THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER CONSISTS, AND WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES

   This disposition or preparation is followed by justification itself, which is not only a remission of sins but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man through the voluntary reception of the grace and gifts whereby an unjust man becomes just and from being an enemy becomes a friend, that he may be an heir according to hope of life everlasting.[30]

   The causes of this justification are:
   the final cause is the glory of God and of Christ and life everlasting; the efficient cause is the merciful God who washes and sanctifies[31] gratuitously, signing and anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance,[32] the meritorious cause is His most beloved only begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when we were enemies,[33] for the exceeding charity wherewith he loved us,[34] merited for us justification by His most holy passion on the wood of the cross and made satisfaction for us to God the Father, the instrumental cause is the sacrament of baptism, which is the sacrament of faith,[35] without which no man was ever justified finally, the single formal cause is the justice of God, not that by which He Himself is just, but that by which He makes us just, ….

   Luther’s sin was not in saying, “faith alone”. Many Catholics before him used that terminology, but they used it correctly. Realizing that we are justified by God in the Sacraments. Not by any work in our part.
   
   Luther’s error was confusing the justification which occurs in the Sacraments by faith apart from works, with the forensic justification by faith and works to which we will all be subject when we stand before the Judgment seat of Christ. He concluded that the new dispensation of Jesus Christ, by grace, eliminated the need to keep the Commandments in order to be just in the eyes of God.
   
   I know its a bit more complicated than that, but that is the way I summarize it.
   
   However, faith alone is not what St. Paul meant.  Since he teaches that only they who do the law will be justified (Rom 2:13). He understands that God only sheds His mercy upon the righteous, folks (Ex 20:6; Tit 3:5; Rev 22:12-15).
   
    To summarize. St. Paul is right. We are not justified by our works. This is what St. Paul meant. The faithful man, who does righteous works, is justified by the mercy of God in the washing of regeneration which is the Sacrament of Baptism (Titus 3:5; Trent VI, Ch. VIII).
   
   Those who do not do righteous works in accordance with God's will, are not included in the formula for salvation.  They are in the group headed for condemnation (Matt 25:31-46).
   
    Sincerely, De Maria

The Catholic Church is the religion which God organized in order that we might worship Him

de Maria March 28, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Peter Pereira March 25, 2013 at 1:03 PMA dictionary definition of “religion” would be something similar to “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual; any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.” In light of this definition, the Bible does speak of organized religion,

Agreed.

but in many cases the purpose and impact of “organized religion” are not something that God is pleased with.

The only organized religions to which God is opposed in Scripture, are those which worship other gods. Do you have any evidence that God opposes organized efforts to worship Him?

In Genesis chapter 11, perhaps the first instance of organized religion, the descendants of Noah organized themselves to build the tower of Babel instead of obeying God’s command to fill the entire earth. They believed that their unity was more important than their relationship with God. God stepped in and confused their languages, thus breaking up this organized religion.

Good example of what I’m talking about. You have also admitted that they “disobeyed” God. Therefore, God was opposed to this organization.

In Exodus chapter 6 and following, God “organized” a religion for the nation of Israel. The Ten Commandments, the laws regarding the tabernacle, and the sacrificial system were all instituted by God and were to be followed by the Israelites. Further study of the New Testament clarifies that the intent of this religion was to point to the need for a Savior-Messiah (Galatians 3; Romans 7). However, many have misunderstood this and have worshipped the rules and rituals rather than God.

I don’t know of any who worship the rules and rituals. The rules in the Catholic Church are to ensure obedience to God. And the rituals are to ensure proper worship of God.

Throughout Israel’s history, many of the conflicts experienced by the Israelites involved conflict with organized religions. Examples include the worship of Baal (Judges 6; 1 Kings 18), Dagon (1 Samuel 5), and Molech (2 Kings 23:10). God defeated the followers of these religions, displaying His sovereignty and omnipotence.

Exactly. God organized a true religion to oppose the world’s false religions.

In the Gospels, the Pharisees and Sadducees are depicted as the representatives of organized religion at the time of Christ. Jesus constantly confronted them about their false teachings and hypocritical lifestyles. In the Epistles, there were organized groups that mixed the gospel with certain lists of required works and rituals. They also sought to put pressure on believers to change and accept these “Christianity plus” religions.

Christianity plus? You mean like this one?
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Galatians and Colossians give warnings about such religions. In the book of Revelation, organized religion will have an impact on the world as the Antichrist sets up a one-world religion.

All the while, the Catholic Church which Jesus organized will oppose all those who worship the anti-Christ and all those who bring about heresies and errors. Scripture says:
Ephesians 3:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

In many cases, the end result of organized religion is a distraction from the intent of God.

On the contrary, the religion which God organized does not distract from but focus upon, God.

However, the Bible does speak of organized believers who are part of His plan. God calls these groups of organized believers “churches.” The descriptions from the book of Acts and the Epistles indicate that the church is to be organized and interdependent. The organization leads to protection, productivity, and outreach (Acts 2:41-47). In the case of the church, it could better be called an “organized relationship.”

Religion is a relationship with God.

Religion is man’s attempt to have communion with God.

True Religion is God’s revelation instructing man how to have communion with Him:
1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

The Christian faith is a relationship with God because of what He has done for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no plan to reach God (He has reached out to us—Romans 5:8). There is no pride (all is received by grace—Ephesians 2:8-9). There should be no conflict over leadership (Christ is the head—Colossians 1:18). There should be no prejudice (we are all one in Christ—Galatians 3:28). Being organized is not the problem. Focusing on the rules and rituals of a religion is the problem.

Disobedience is the problem. God made rules and established rituals. Obey Him:
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Sincerely,

De Maria

Rebuttal to anti-Catholic article was not posted

A fellow who recently posted here, Glenn Chatfield, invited me to his blog to read some of his anti-Catholic articles.  He said:

Catholics do indeed worship Mary, and ascribe to her the characters of God, as I PROVE here: 

https://watchmansbagpipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/mary-mother-of-church-is-not-mary-of.html

Well, I went there and when I rebutted his claims, he refused to post them.  

Glenn E. Chatfield said...
To my readers:
I have received a 3-part comment from a Catholic apologist..... I will not be posting his comments.

I'm not surprised.  For those of you interested it is.  It only addresses one of his claims, the idea that Mary had several children and Jesus, many brothers.

On the contrary, Scripture is clear that the brothers and sisters of Jesus are actually His cousins. One of the problems with Sola Scriptura is that everyone interprets the Scriptures according to their own ability. Therefore, Sola Scripturists never consider cultural and historical circumstances in regards to translations. For a Sola Scripturist, a "brother" is always a "brother of the womb". Never mind that they, themselves, call each other "brothers in Christ" all the time. And they speak of "Brother Joe" and "Sister Jane" all the time.
Let us go examine the Scriptures on this matter. Are you game? Here we go:

Did Jesus have any brothers?
According to some, Scripture attests that Jesus had brothers, sons of Mary. They base their opinion on this verse:

Matthew 13
55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:

However, these brothers and sisters in Christ, fail to realize that the word "brother" has meant much more than "brothers of the womb" from time immemorial. Good friends call themselves "brothers" even today. And a closer examination of Scripture proves that James, Joseph, Simon and Jude are sons of another Mary, not Jesus' mother, but Jesus' aunt.

First, we see that Jesus' mother has a "sister". From Catholic Tradition, we know that Jesus' mother is an only child. So, her sister is really a cousin or other close kin:

John 19 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.

We also note that this Mary is always mentioned with Mary Magdalen. The two must have been close friends:

Mark 16 1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus.

Note that in this verse she is not called Mary of Cleophas, but Mary the mother of James.

Mark 15 40 And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph, and Salome:

Here she is the mother of James and Joseph and Salome. The mention of Salome explains the "sisters" of Jesus. Since Mary the sister of Mary His Mother is also His sister or kin.

Matthew 27 56 Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Luke 24 10 And it was Mary Magdalen, and Joanna, and Mary of James, and the other women that were with them, who told these things to the apostles.

Sometimes she is called "the other" Mary.

Matthew 27 61 And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre.

OK, so far we've established that James and Joseph are the sons of the other Mary. Not of Jesus' mother. What about Simon and Jude?

Luke 6 16 And Jude, the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor.

Well, Jude is the brother of James. He says so himself:

Jude 1 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.

And, although Simon the Zealot is rarely mentioned, when he is mentioned, he is always grouped with either James or Jude.

Luke 6 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes,

Acts Of Apostles 1 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James.

If we review the listing of Apostles, we will see that the Apostle mentioned as Thaddeus must be Jude and Simon the Zelotes must be Simon the Cananean:

Mark 3 16 And to Simon he gave the name Peter: 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he named them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew and Matthew, and Thomas and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Cananean:19 And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Matthew 10 2 And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, 3 James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Acts Of Apostles 1 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James.

Luke 6 13 And when day was come, he called unto him his disciples; and he chose twelve of them (whom also he named apostles). 14 Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, 16 And Jude, the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor.

So, we see that James, Joseph, Jude and Simon are related to Jesus. But they are not the sons of Mary, but her distant kin and thus also Jesus kin.

The necessity of good works for salvation - discussion with Jesse

To understand this discussion between Jesse and I, one must understand that Jesse is trying to refute Calvinism with Protestant doctrine.  Unfortunately for Jesse, he doesn't realize that Protestant doctrine logically leads to Calvinist thinking.  Calvin did not come up with these things in a vaccuum.  The groundwork was already laid down by Luther. If good works have nothing to do with salvation, then double predestination must be true.  Double predestination is the idea that God creates some people for hell and some for heaven.  And, according to that Protestant teaching, there's nothing people can do to change what God has ordained.  Ever heard of "irresistible grace"?  Note that both Calvin and Luther, deny free will.

But, I digress.  Let's move on to the ongoing discussion.

Hi Jesse,

In a recent discussion, on your blog you said to me.

June 26, 2018 at 8:07 PM
De Maria,
I'd love to respond thoroughly, but cannot. It is far beyond the scope of this article to refute your misinterpretations of Scripture. Also, much of what I
would have to say would be repetition from previous discussions. In short, the "doers" of the law are "justified" because their hearts have been changed (Romans 2:14-15). God looks at our works in judgement because they are the evidence of our faithfulness to Him. The conclusion of Paul's entire argument is that works cannot save us (Romans 3:27-28). So it is evident that you have misapplied Scripture.

To which I say:

I'd love to respond thoroughly, but cannot.

I know.  Because Scripture refutes you.

It is far beyond the scope of this article

No, it isn't.  Calvinists agree with you and their conclusion is a logical deduction of their false teachings.  They believe in double predestination.  Therefore, there is neither merit, nor value nor necessity of works.  

Your conclusion that salvation is not merit based is illogical since you believe that one must have faith in order to be saved.  Faith is a meritorious work in God's eyes.

to refute your misinterpretations of Scripture.

It is you who misunderstands and misinterprets Scripture.

Also, much of what I would have to say would be repetition from previous discussions.

Which previous discussions?  Provide a link so I can see what you said.

In short, the "doers" of the law are "justified" because their hearts have been changed (Romans 2:14-15). 

They were justified BY GOD because they did good deeds. Look at the previous 12 verses.

God looks at our works in judgement because they are the evidence of our faithfulness to Him. 

Exactly!  God looks at our works in judgment in order to determine if they are meritorious.  Look at what He says to Abraham.

Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS THING.

The conclusion of Paul's entire argument is that works cannot save us (Romans 3:27-28). 

Only if you take the verse out of context.  Do you really think that Scripture contradicts itself?  Do you really believe that St. Paul, who was inspired by the Holy Spirit, would say one thing in one verse and contradict himself a few paragraphs later?

Here is what St. Paul says over and over again:

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Corinthians 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.  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,  10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

So it is evident that you have misapplied Scripture.

On the contrary, Scripture is clear that God requires us to do good works. The righteous, do good and God will save them.  The evil, commit evil and God will punish them.  It's that simple.  That is the Teaching of Scripture.  That is the Teaching of the Catholic Church in Scripture.

Will they be saved who do not do good works? #2

I'm having a friendly discussion with Jesse, a Protestant who frequently comments here.  It's taking place between his blog at Rational Christian and my last article, Will they be saved who do not do good works?

Anyway, in his rebuttal, Jesse neglects to answer the question I asked.  Will they be saved who do not do good works?  But he moves on to another objection.  He quotes me: 

"It is Catholics who say, "I don't know if I'm saved. I've done my best, it is God who will judge me."

then says:

But how could we possibly live a life of joy and peace, if we are not able to have assurance of eternal life? 

I don't know.  Since the Catholic Church Teaches that we have assurance of salvation, we live a life of joy and peace when we give ourselves to Christ.

What the Catholic Church does not teach is the ABSOLUTE assurance of salvation.  We don't claim, as the Pharisee did, that we know that we are saved.  We, like the Apostle, say:

1 Corinthians 4:3 It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; 4 I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. 

Furthermore, it is precisely this self-righteous, pompous attitude (which is ironic since you claim to be humble) that is utterly incompatible with the biblical gospel (Galatians 1:6-12). 

On the contrary, the biblical gospel condemns those who judge themselves saved:

1.  First of all, if you judge yourself saved, you judge yourself righteous.

Luke 18:  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. 9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. ...

2.  But if you say, "I am saved because of the righteousness of Christ which He has credited to me."

Scripture doesn't say any such thing.  If you are not truly righteous, God will condemn you.  God does not acquit the wicked.  

Proverbs 17:15 Whoever acquits the wicked, whoever condemns the just—

    both are an abomination to the Lord.

Galatians 6:7 Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows,

Those who want to merit the kingdom of heaven absolutely need to recognize the vital spiritual truth that God demands perfect obedience, which is impossible since we have all sinned against Him.

That's another error passed on by Luther.  God forgives sins.

1 John 1:9 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

That is precisely why He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world to make atonement for the sins of mankind.

That doesn't mean what you think it means.

1.  Jesus Christ died for the sins of all men.  But, only those who amend their lives and live in accordance to His instructions, will be saved.

Hebrews 5:9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

2.  Those who continue to live wicked lives will not be saved no matter how many times they claim to believe in God:

Matthew 7:  The True Disciple.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you.[b] Depart from me, you evildoers.’

It is strictly by God's grace that we are saved,

No doubt.

not by our own efforts.

Also true.  But God will not pour out His grace on those who do not obey His will.

Matthew 7:21The True Disciple. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Our "work" is believing on the One whom He has sent (John 6:27-29).

Again, that doesn't mean what you think it means.  That doesn't say, "If you claim to believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved.  Scripture is clear that those who do not do the righteous works of God, will be condemned to eternal punishment.

Romans 2:6 who will repay everyone according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, 8 but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. 9 Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. 10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. 11 There is no partiality with God.

Judgment by the Interior Law. 12 All who sin outside the law will also perish without reference to it, and all who sin under the law will be judged in accordance with it. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified.

He saves all who come to Him with a repentant heart through faith.

But not those who come with claims of a repentant heart through faith alone and no works to prove their faith.

James 2:17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  18 Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

It is only by the blood of Jesus that we are saved from God's wrath and eternal condemnation (Hebrews 10:10-14).

This is true.  And where do you get this Blood?  We get it in the Holy Eucharist when we attend the Mass.  You reject this Sacrament.

Thus, Sola Fide simply gives all the credit to God alone.

On the contrary,  those who claim salvation by faith alone give themselves credit for salvation.  Essentially, judging themselves saved in the exclusion of God's judgment.

The fact of the matter is that the Council of Trent affirmed the heresy of semi-pelagianism."

Perfectly true.  But, also declared the heresy of faith alone.

P.S.  On second thought, maybe I misunderstood what you intended to say.  If by that, you mean that the Church practices the heresy of semi-pelagianism, I'll remind you that it was the Catholic Church which condemned that heresy in the 5th century.

And, if that is what you meant to say, then it is obvious that you don't understand the meaning of the term, "semi-pelagianism".  It means that someone thinks that he can save himself without God's grace, but only by his own efforts.  Whereas, the existence of the Sacraments puts the lie to that idea. Because it is in the Sacraments that God pours out His saving grace upon those who obey His will.

Which leads us back to the same question which you refuse to answer.  Will God save those who do not do good works?  Yes or no.  

Will they be saved who do not do good works?

Galatians 4:30
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

From Jesse's blog:

Martin Luther's Commentary On Galatians 4:30

"And now they themselves do not defend their wicked life; nay, rather, they which are the best and the soundest of them all, do detest it; but they fight for the maintenance and defense of the doctrine of devils, for hypocrisy, and for the righteousness of works. Here they allege the authority of councils and the examples of holy fathers, whom they affirm to have been the authors of their holy orders and statutes. Therefore, we fight not against the manifest wickedness and abominations of the papacy, but against the greatest holiness and holiest saints thereof, which think they lead an angelic life, whilst they dream that they keep not only the commandments of God, but also the counsels of Christ, and do works of supererogation, and such as they are not bound to do. This, we say, is to labour in vain, except they take hold of that only and alone, which Christ saith is only necessary, and choose the good part with Mary, which shall not be taken from them.

Jesse quoted Luther, but simply quoted Luther's misunderstandings, or intentional twisting, of Catholic Doctrine.

First of all, as opposed to Luther's claim, the Catholic Church Teaches us not to judge ourselves.  This is from Scripture, which says:

1 Corinthians 4:3 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.

And, again, as opposed to what Luther said, the Catholic Church teaches to follow the examples of Holy men who precede us in the Faith.  That is to say, to follow the example of the Saints which Luther maligns above:

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.

And the Church Teaches us to labour for righteousness sake.  Whereas, Luther claims that all labour is fruitless, as we can see above:

Proverbs 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

This did Bernard, a man so godly, so holy, and so chaste, that he is to be commended and preferred above them all. 

Here we see that Luther contradicts himself, acknowledging the holiness of the man which Catholics call, St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

He being once grievously sick, and having no hope of life, put not his trust in his single life, wherein he had lived most chastely; not in his good works and deeds of charity, whereof he had done many; but removed them far out of his sight, and, receiving the benefit of Christ by faith, he said: "I have lived wickedly. But thou, Lord Jesus Christ, by double right dost possess the kingdom of heaven: first, because thou art the Son of God; secondly, because thou hast purchased it by thy death and passion. The first thou keepest for thyself, by thy birth-right. The second thou givest to me, not by the right of my works, but by the right of of grace." 

Here, St. Bernard acknowledges that salvation is from Jesus Christ.  This is Catholic Teaching.

He set not against the wrath of God his monkery, nor his angelic life; but he took hold of that one thing which was necessary, and so was saved. 

Luther acknowledges that this is what St. Bernard teaches.  That salvation is by grace.  But does St. Bernard teach that salvation by grace is extended to those who do not do good works and reject the Commandments?  I'll answer that at the end of the article.

I think that Hierome, Gregory, and many other of the fathers, were saved after the same sort. And it is not to be doubted but that also, in the Old Testament, many kings of Israel and other idolaters were saved in like manner, who, at the hour of death, casting away their vain trust which they had in idols, took hold of the promise of God, which was made unto the seed of Abraham, that is to say, Christ, in whom all nations should be blessed. 

Note that Luther here, extends salvation to idolaters by the criteria of his own opinion.  Notwithstanding, the Catholic Church Teaches that God alone judges salvation.

Hebrews 12:23 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,

And if there be any of the papists which shall be saved, they must simply lean not to their own good deeds and deserts, but to the mercy of God offered unto us in Christ, and say with Paul: "I have not mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is by faith in Christ," (Phil. iii. 9.)" (Excerpt taken from "A commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians")

Jesus is there

Bob said:
You state that “Transubstantiation means that the bread and wine are no longer there. Only the appearance. ” How do you know there is more to something than just the appearance?

Faith. 

If there is something more than the appearance to the bread and wine as being Christ then we should be able to see indications of this. 

Says who?

What would be the evidence that “Jesus is there present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity” in the bread and wine?

I rely upon the Teaching of Christ:
John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

When Jesus performed miracles there was always some kind of evidence for them. The same would apply here.

The evidence which exists, you reject. 

1st. Christ said that He would leave the bread that is His flesh and that the wine is His blood. I believe that. You don’t.

2nd. Jesus established a Church which has always taught that Jesus did exactly as He said He would do. I believe that. You don’t.

3rd. This is exactly the same evidence which we have for the Resurrection. It is mentioned in Scripture and the Church has always taught that Jesus did what He said He would do. 

But although the evidence is the same kind in both, you reject one but accept the other leaning upon your own understanding and rejecting the witness of the Church.

In regards to the traditions that Paul mentions, he knew nothing of the Marian dogmas,

Yes, he did. St. Paul was guided powerfully by the Holy Spirit and he would have had the full Catholic insight to the relationship of the Mother of God to the Church and her role in salvation.

purgatory or a celibate leadership.

He explained Purgatory in detail in 1 Cor 3:1-15. Celibate leadership is established in the Western rite of the Catholic Church BECAUSE of the teaching of St. Paul in Romans 7:32.

These came centuries later in the RCC. 

No, they didn’t. You have simply accepted the anti-Catholic lies, which is really a form of man made tradition. 

They are not mentioned in the NT at all.

As I mentioned to you before. You read Scripture differently than does a Catholic. We don’t discover the meaning of Scripture when we read it. We have a deep understanding of it by the time we begin to study it because we have already been steeped in the Word of God by living the Traditions of Jesus Christ.

And when we see them in Scripture, we recognize them.

Mary the Mother of God:
Luke 1:43
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Mary crowned Queen of Heaven:
Revelation 12:1
King James Version (KJV)
12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

Mary the Mother of all Believers:
Revelation 12:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

There is no verse in Scripture which says anything about Mary committing a sin. And Luke 1:28 says that she is “ever full of grace” (i.e. kecharitomene), which is the basis for the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Whereas, I repeat, every Protestant doctrine which contradicts Catholic doctrine also contradicts the Bible.

Please provide the evidence for Sola Scriptura or Sola Fide from Scripture.

What is the official Protestant definition of Sola Scriptura? No one seems to know.

Bob said:Celibacy was a later development in the RCC.

Correct. 1 Cor 7:32 is the basis for that change.

Paul lays out in 1 Tim 3 the qualifications for church leadership and part of it was to be a man who was married with children.

And yet St. Paul was not a man who was married with children. Did he thereby disqualify himself?

And what about our model and example? Jesus Christ Himself. Was He inadequate for the job because He was not married with children.

You see how Protestants cut off their nose to spite their face? If unmarried men are not qualified to run the Church, they disqualify several of the cornerstones of our Faith. Jesus, John the Evangelist, St. Paul. 

Revelation 14:3-5
King James Version (KJV)
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Bob said,

 You asked, What is the definition for Sola Scriptura?

That's right.  So, you tell me, from Scripture.

Sola Fide= we are saved alone by faith alone in Christ alone. Gal 2:16 and Eph 2:8-9

Show me that statement in Scripture. Because Scripture says:
James 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Therefore that statement contradicts the Word of God.

Galatians 2:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

This does not say “faith IN Christ”. It says “faith OF Christ”. The faith of Christ is the Christianity. The rituals and doctrines which He established to be passed down by His Church.

Therefore, St. Paul is contrasting the Jewish faith and the Christian faith. We are not justified nor was anyone every justified by the Jewish faith. That is why, in another place, he says:
Hebrews 11:40
King James Version (KJV)
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

In other words, without us, they would not be justified.

Ephesians 2:8-9
King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

In order to understand this one fully, we need one more verse:
Ephesians 2:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
Faith is a grace.
Romans 4:16
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;….

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
God gives us this grace. It is the first grace which God gives us because without faith we can’t please Him. And faith is a very special type of grace. It is a grace which must be exercised. Faith ALONE is dead (James 2:17).

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Therefore we can’t boast that we made ourselves faithful nor that we saved ourselves.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Now, we are ALL created in Christ when we are conceived. Christ has created all that is in creation:
John 1:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

and we were all made to do good. We were all made to keep the Commandments.
Romans 2:14-16
King James Version (KJV)
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

God gave this command from before time began. We were made for God. We were made to be righteous. This is why we are justified by DOING the faith OF Christ.