Protestants often misunderstand the Catholic teaching on merit, thinking that Catholics believe that one must do good works to come to God and be saved. This is exactly the opposite of what the Church teaches. The Council of Trent stressed: "None of those things which precede justification, whether faith or works, merit the grace of justification; for if it is by grace, it is not now by works; otherwise, as the Apostle [Paul] says, grace is no more grace" (Decree on Justification 8, citing Rom. 11:6).
The Catholic Church teaches only Christ is capable of meriting in the strict sense—mere man cannot (Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2007). The most merit humans can have is condign—when, under the impetus of God’s grace, they perform acts which please him and which he has promised to reward (Rom. 2:6–11, Gal. 6:6–10). Thus God’s grace and his promise form the foundation for all human merit (Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2008).
2007-08-13 03:51:12 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Important links:
http://www.catholic.com/library/salvation.asp
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9710chap.asp
2007-08-13 03:52:41 · update #1
PaulCyp: You are right.
Rachel H: You are wrong.
2007-08-13 04:03:25 · update #2
The Catholic Church teaches that "salvation is a free gift of God that cannot be earned or merited". Pretty straightforward. However, like any gift that is offered, salvation must be either accepted or rejected. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the two essential conditions for acceptance of salvation are faith and works of Christian charity. If you lack either one, you cannot be saved. Faith doesn't earn salvation, but you won't be saved without it. Works do not earn salvation, but you won't be saved without them. Just read the last paragraph of Matt 25 if you have any doubt about that.
2007-08-13 03:59:32 · answer #1 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God Bless the Pope - Nice job, I'm over here cheering you on!
Rachel H - Read your catechism.
2007-08-13 04:12:03 · answer #2 · answered by The Raven † 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics do earn their salvation from the good that we do on Earth. If we do sin we still earn our salvation from being truly sorry for the sin commited and deciding not to sin again. (Repentance)
2007-08-13 03:58:07 · answer #3 · answered by R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No..they buy it with the basket collections.
2007-08-13 04:00:15 · answer #4 · answered by Mr Answerman 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋