What Do Roman Catholics Believe About the Depravity of Mankind?

Question

I go to Catholic school but am Protestant and have to write an essay about my opinion on the depravity of mankind. Can anyone tell me for sure what the official teaching of Rome is on depravity; that is, can man earn any part of his salvation, or did Christ earn all of it for us?

Thanks

Answer 1

Oh, man! That question could take an entire Theology class all on it's own.

But here's a couple of key points:

1) The Roman Church would completely deny the "T" from Calvin's TULIP theory. Man is NOT totally depraved. Mankind is fallen. BIG difference! Why? God created everything...and what did he say at the end of each "day" of creation? "It is good!" Man is fallen, but not totally depraved.

2) The soteriolgy part of your question (i.e., re: "salvation") is trickier - but mostly because of the way you worded it. Man cannot "EARN' any part of his salvation - but - he cooperates with God and His Holy Church in "working out" his salvation.

All of this has to do with what Roman Catholics believe about the Church, the sacraments as the means of Grace....too many angles to present here...and there's no way I can do it justice here tonight.

Like I said - that's a whole semester's worth of theology!

Answer 2

No there is nothing man can do to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. One can accept this gift or reject it.

"As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."

Answer 3

Catholics believe that apart from the free gift of CHRIST in HIS SELF giving as our GRACE, we have no basis for repentance even. HE wholly did HIS part, which none can match, but which all must meet. We must meet HIS part with Repentance, and not return to what HE saved us from, and we owe HIM perfect Love - every sin is a loveless act of commission or of ommission. We do not, however, see our return to Grace as a means to buy it back.

CHRIST freely gave us the basis on which, like sons apprenticed in things of HIS Kingdom, to gain, through prving of Fidelity, greater participation and Reward - but had HE not first died for us, we wouldn't even have a hope of the putting on of Merits that are HIS but which become natural to us through unity with our SAVIOR.

[As to the matter of pedophiles, I agree with what Justin Martyr said, that if someone in the Church really were guilty of some attrocity, he'd gladly see that culprit handed over to the same Romans that were falsely accusing his brethren of things they were innocent of. The last Pope did much more about the perverts than you realize. The percentage of pedophiles in the world that are also Catholic Priests is so small, I don't even know how to say the number. Most pedophiles, in other words, are not Catholic Priests. John Paul affirmed that even a first time touch means a man should not be a Priest, and the Nicene Council (which didn't take place in America - maybe the second version of the Anglican schism?) confirmed in a Canon that a child molestor ought not even to recieve Last Rites. Of course I think all pedophiles from muhammad to the infidels that presumed to be Catholic Priests should have all suffered executions, perhaps with a millstone around the neck. The worse the sin against humanity using GOD's NAME in vain, the worse the blasphemy against GOD HIMSELF - perhaps even the unforgivable sin.]

Answer 4

Here is a link to RC theology. I hope it is not too difficult to understand. Good luck.

Basically man can not obtain salvation on his own, only through Christ. But not in the same way as a Baptist might think.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13407a.htm

Also listen to Father K, above. Mankind is created good. The idea of depravity is from Calvin, not the RC church.

Answer 5

*Is Catholic*

Very long topic. I will give a few words and then give you places where you can look up dogmatic teachings.

The Church teaches that justification is unmerited and a total free gift from God that was completed once and for all at Calvary. Even the ability to "accept Christ" is considered to be a part of this free gift. Salvation though, is different from justification. To be saved, that is to enter into heaven and to enjoy the beatific vision (theosis for our eastern catholic and orthodox readers) requires the individual to enter into communion with God and act out his salvation through faith and works. In a sense, this is merited, because the degree of beatific vision / union with God is dependent upon one's own activates. There is an old saying that "the God who created thee without thee will not save thee without thee"

Protestants tend to unite salvation/justification/atonement as a singular concept where as Catholic theology does not. They are three different concepts.

The Fall specifically damaged all of humanity's will so that it is prone to evil inclinations. It also damaged his body and subjected man to the death of the flesh (not death of the soul which would be the case if man was depraved) Man is born damaged so that without sanctifying grace, it is very difficult to live a good life, follow one's conscience, etc. Man, however, has built into him a nature desire to seek God
FOR YOUR PAPER LOOK UP "Religious Man" Or homo religioso
This helps mankind to reestablish his communion with God AND it proves that the idea of total depravity is wrong.

Things to look up.
Augustine's Confessions (very good primer on this subject)

DOGMA
Dogma is different from catechesis...the Catechism is not a dogmatic book by nature, rather it explains dogma.

Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine by Shaw is an easy Middle School through High School text.

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ott is a High School/ College text.

Your official dogmatic teachings can be found in
The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church is THE modern anthology book (Catechism uses its quotes).

Answer 6

Man's Depravity comes from sin, which is a deliberate rebellion against God.
The Two types of sin are Original Sin and Actual Sin.
Original Sin is the sin that we inherit from Adam and Eve.
Actual Sin is the sin we commit ourselves.
Original Sin deprives us of Grace and injures Human nature.
Original Sin is remitted in Baptism but the injury to our nature remains; darkness of understanding, weakness of will, inclination to evil, and concupiscence.
Actual Sin deprives us of Grace and makes it easy to commit additional sins.
Actual Sin is remitted in the Sacrament of Penance.
By His perfect sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus gained infinite grace for men. Thus the Redemption was completely effective objectively. However, redemption (Sanctifying Grace) must be subjectively applied to everyone individually.
Man must use his free will to co-operate with God's Grace, receive His Sacraments, and practice Virtue if he is to die with Sanctifying Grace( the indwelling of the Trinity in the Soul).

Answer 7

If your purpose is to come to be extra religious & re-hook up with God then why do you wish to have one other college to try this? What is it approximately one other church you believe will aid you recreate that hyperlink you had within the Catholic church? Have you honestly regarded on the perspectives the opposite church buildings have on homosexuality or ladies being ordained as clergymen? The Anglican church is riven with descent, the African church buildings are like whatever out of the darkish a while, in England they are at odds over having gay bishops within the ranks, many have left the church considering the fact that additionally they ordain ladies clergymen Faith & the way you opt for to worship is a individual option, I could propose discussing this along with your mother and father or if you do not wish to disappointed anybody, preserve schtum, cross along side them on a Sunday & as soon as you are out of the condo you'll be able to do what you please

Answer 8

We pray for them, offer up penances, suffer if necessary.
Everyone sins some big and small.

To generalize all depravity is quite diffcult, and you must do the research to such a Q.

Answer 9

Considering the rampant pedophilia in the church, and their unwillingness to do anything about it, I'm thinking that they're pretty OK with depravity.

Answer 10

Go ye no further than the nearest mirror.