I would appreciate some serious answers from knowledgeable Catholics.
A couple of years ago, the Catholic Church signed a document with the Lutheran Church, where they agreed that we are saved by faith alone. But in the Gospel, St. James says that we also need works. Also, in a section of the Gospel, at the Last Judgment, Jesus says something like "I was hungry and you fed me; I was naked and you clothed me..."
So does the Catholic Church believe that we are we saved by faith alone or not?
2006-09-26 14:26:13 · 17 answers · asked by Belindita 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, the document did not say that we are saved by faith alone. The document said that we are saved by the grace of God and that this grace is a gift we receive through faith. This faith makes itself evident through works.
This has always been the teachings of the Catholic faith. It only took centuries to get the wording right.
2006-09-26 14:42:20 · answer #1 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Faith Alone will not save us, but Faith is an integral part of salvation. Faith and Grace through good works is what I believe through my Catholic school upbringing, and if any Protestant wants to debate with you on this, tell them to read the Bible where it is writen in:
Romans 2: 6-8 / James 2:14-24 / James 1: 26-27 / Matthew 7:21-23 / 1 Corinthians 4:1-7 / Ephesians 2:5
We Catholics always stick to the Bible
2006-09-26 23:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by Kurt 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have been wondering about the same thing, great question.
Okay, I'm not exactly catholic, but I have been doing a lot of research and I am considering converting to catholocism, so I will tell you what I have read in the catechism.
It's not really a one or the other, black and white answer. Catholics don't have the protestant 'moment' where you pray the prayer and are saved. So ultimately, you are saved by Jesus dying for your sins. You have to accept Jesus, so you are saved by faith. However, if you love Jesus and have the holy spirit, you demonstrate this by doing good works if you are genuine. I hope that makes sense.
2006-09-26 14:31:42 · answer #3 · answered by Hopeful Poster 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There are only 4 gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
James is a letter, but nonetheless, just as valid...
There are many Protestant churches that believe in "By faith alone" salvation...
There does exist - at least, in my mind - more than a bit of a conflict between Paul's position (Ephesians 2) and James' position (James 2)...
2006-09-26 14:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by KnowhereMan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At mass about 2 weeks ago our reading was on works and faith. Basically what it boils down to is that anyone can do works but not everyone has faith, and you see a Christian's faith through their works. We also believe that everyone should be doing good works for God, charity if you will. We don't do it for brownie points or anything, we just do it because it is pleasing to God and our goal is to live our lives for Him and to bring Him joy through our faith and works.
2006-09-26 14:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by ~Mrs. D~ 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):
By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.
Subsequent good works are a natural byproduct from the gift of salvation.
With love in Christ.
2006-09-26 18:29:55 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am not a catholic, but still an evangelical christian, and we share the same overall ideas.
Yes, James says that by works we need to be saved. When he says works though, he means that we need to never sin and always do good when we have the ability to. This makes it impossible for us, as everyone is a filthy rotten sinner. Thankfully though, Jesus lived the perfect left for us and died in our stead.
2006-09-26 14:31:59 · answer #7 · answered by Lord_French_Fry 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am not catholic but,
You need to look at your definition of faith. Faith is belief accompanied by action. Even the demons believed in Jesus, but those who are truely faithful to Christ believe and they show their belief through their lifestyle (their actions).
2006-09-26 14:35:30 · answer #8 · answered by disciple 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
From the catechism of the Catholic Church:
161 Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation.42 "Since "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life 'But he who endures to the end.'"43
Faith alone? Nope. That line isn't even in the real Bible. Luther added "alone" all by himself.
Once saved, works do matter.
1821 We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will.92 In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere "to the end"93 and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays for "all men to be saved."94 She longs to be united with Christ, her Bridegroom, in the glory of heaven:
2006-09-26 22:25:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
the epistles mention that "faith without works is dead" and Jesus said, "not all who say to me lord, lord! will be saved, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven" mathew 7:21
we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through works>
think about it like this, "Jesus opened the door to heaven, yet we must strive to work to get to Jesus, by living a good christian life"
2006-09-26 14:34:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋