E
eucharist04
Guest
I heard James White say that Rome’s Gospel does not save. He says that it is under the curse of Galatians 1. What is the Catholic teaching concerning the Gospel?
- Status
G
Goya
Guest
James White is an angry, vitriolic man who perverts the Gospel out of his own avarice, for his own profit.
The Catholic teaching concerning the Gospel is that Christ left us a Church (not a book); that if Christ wanted to leave us a book, he would have written it himself; that the Bible was inspired and God-breathed–by/through the Holy Spirit–as a gift to His spouse–the Church.
The Catholic Gospel therefore, is to actually follow Christ, as He instructed His Apostles–not to disregard what He actually did, in favor of what was written about Him, to memorialize what He did, and what He left to us–i.e.–His Church.
A short but crude summary, but befitting of James White–that is, about all the time and attention a James White objection warrants.
D
dmar198
Guest
God is real, He created mankind to make men happy, and the source of that happiness is God. By sin, man permanently cut himself off from God. God sent Jesus to earth to make it possible for men to return to God. He makes a free offer of salvation that men have to respond to by repenting of their sins, believing in Jesus Christ, and becoming disciples in His Church.
That’s the basic Gospel message.
I
Ignatius
Guest
S
Stephen_says
Guest
From the Catechism:
“But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” This is “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”: God has visited his people. He has fulfilled the promise he made to Abraham and his descendants. He acted far beyond all expectation—he has sent his own “beloved Son.”
The Geek word for 'accursed" as used in Galatians 1 is ἀνάθεμα ‘anathema’, which the Catholic Church has used in the past to pronounce excommunication on people. So, technically, all protestants, including whoever this guy is, are anathema.
It kind of makes me sad, though, that we have to go around cursing each other
“But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” This is “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”: God has visited his people. He has fulfilled the promise he made to Abraham and his descendants. He acted far beyond all expectation—he has sent his own “beloved Son.”
The Geek word for 'accursed" as used in Galatians 1 is ἀνάθεμα ‘anathema’, which the Catholic Church has used in the past to pronounce excommunication on people. So, technically, all protestants, including whoever this guy is, are anathema.
It kind of makes me sad, though, that we have to go around cursing each other
E
eucharist04
Guest
E
eucharist04
Guest
From the Catechism:
“But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” This is “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”: God has visited his people. He has fulfilled the promise he made to Abraham and his descendants. He acted far beyond all expectation—he has sent his own “beloved Son.”
The Geek word for 'accursed" as used in Galatians 1 is ἀνάθεμα ‘anathema’, which the Catholic Church has used in the past to pronounce excommunication on people. So, technically, all protestants, including whoever this guy is, are anathema.
It kind of makes me sad, though, that we have to go around cursing each other
I
Ignatius
Guest
The Gospel in the Catholic Church is found in the 27 Books of The New Testament.
C
Church_Militant
Guest
I agree with other statements about White. Like many a-Cs he twists both the scriptures and the teachings of the catholic Church to tickle people with itching ears (and $$$).
My response:
You might also look at these though they are not addressed to White’s propaganda, they address someone who is in that same vein.
My response:
You might also look at these though they are not addressed to White’s propaganda, they address someone who is in that same vein.
P
pianistclare
Guest
7
7_Sorrows
Guest
I have never heard of James White. Why would our Gospel be different than anyone elses Gospel?
G
Goya
Guest
The long and the short of it, is that both Catholics and protestants believe that Salvation is obtainable exclusively through the person of Christ;
However, Protestantism preaches that Christ can only be accessed through the Bible, and further alleges that the Catholic Church obstructs–and even leads away from–rather than guides people to–Christ (and therefore salvation).
Conversely, the Catholic Church maintains that Christ left us an infallible Church that leads and guides us to the fullness of Christ; that to seek Christ through the Bible, but outside the Church, is an insufficient path that more often than not, leads to confusion, and neglect of Christ Himself, particularly, Christ in the Eucharist.
So to your question–both teach Salvation through Christ, exclusively (although the Catholic Church does recognize salvation for some people of good will who are not Christian–"…in ways known only to God"–but it should be noted, that this is not an exception to “Christ being THE [only] WAY…”–rather, acknowledging that God may save whom HE wishes, HOW He pleases–IOW, in ways completely unfathomable to us, Christ may save such persons, according to God’s will…).
The difference then, is how one accesses Christ, and the degree to which one may access Christ–i.e., “the fullness of Christ” (Catholic)–including Christ Eucharistic, the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church Christ founded, and its sacraments, and prayer…or simply spiritually, through prayer (protestant), each according to his or her own interpretation of their Bible/scripture.
Bottom line–what we call “the fullness of Christ”, the protestant has declared mostly superfluous, as all anyone needs, according to ‘the prophet’ Martin Luther, is their Bible (apparently leaving 1,500 years of Church dependent, bible-less Christians, eternally damned ).
But that’s the basis for the protestant claim that “Rome teaches a ‘false’ Gospel.”
B
BobCatholic
Guest
The only true difference between White and the Catholic Church is this.
James White teaches according to his personal interpretation of scripture.
The Catholic Church teaches according to the interpretation of scripture of Christ and the Apostles.
F
fhansen
Guest
Like many of the non-Catholic, personal interpretation tradition, James White’s gospel is under the curse of Galatians 1.
The Catholic position is this: “**Apart from Me you can do nothing” ** John 15:5. Every blessing: the Church, the sacraments, our relationship with God: our salvation, flows from this truth, from this grace. Man is called to communion with God, always has been. He cannot be just without this relationship. And yet man must do his part; he must cooperate in sustaining this relationship. He must remain in Christ, also John 15.
R
rfournier103
Guest
The Catholic Church’s Gospel is Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The same as anyone else’s.
These two verses have been very helpful for me.
1 Timothy 3:15 ~ But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
1 Peter 1:20-21 ~ Know this first of all, that** there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation**, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.
What authority does James White have? Who is HE to interpret Scripture the way HE wants?
When it comes to the interpretation of the Holy Gospel and the rest of the Scriptures; I put my eggs in the basket of God’s Holy Church. Not James White.
J
JoeT777
Guest
There is only one way to understand James White along with most Protestants and reformers. All reasoning is relativistic, that is all judgment is relatively valid, and rationalistic, thus all judgment is based on one’s own subjective will. The Protestant and reformer hold this to be a universal method of reasoning and everybody’s views are held equally valid, except for Catholicism of course. Among themselves Scripture can be held up to mean most anything, in so long as they reject Catholicism. Every premise must be defined by the owner because they often change from person to person.
Which is the case with James White. In order to support his arguments the supporting proposition changes with logical argument to suite the outcome he supports. In short, instead of being subjugated by the will of God, White, like many Protestants and reformers, subjugate God to their will via the logical constructs of relativism and rationalism. It’s like a disease that affects subjecting one’s will to that of God’s. Many of us Catholics have the virus as well, e.g. most notable in those we call ‘cafeteria Catholics’ and the ‘universalist’ who hold that everybody goes to heaven.
JoeT
B
Bookcat
Guest
The Gospel?
It is “glad tidings” …“good news!”…evangelium!
Simply:* Jesus of Nazareth the Christ!!*
one can note though in particular…
His death and his Resurrection…
Our sins being forgiven…our becoming a new creation in him…via faith and baptism…
our having “true life” in him…
and that true life is to be “eternal life” …and at the second coming there is the Resurrection…
(etc many aspects could be added…)
“Happy are you who believe!” (cf 1 Peter 2:7). Let us turn to Jesus! He alone is the way that leads to eternal happiness, the truth who satisfies the deepest longings of every heart, and the life who brings ever new joy and hope, to us and to our world."
~ Pope Benedict XVI (Homily at Yankee Stadium)
It is “glad tidings” …“good news!”…evangelium!
Simply:* Jesus of Nazareth the Christ!!*
one can note though in particular…
His death and his Resurrection…
Our sins being forgiven…our becoming a new creation in him…via faith and baptism…
our having “true life” in him…
and that true life is to be “eternal life” …and at the second coming there is the Resurrection…
(etc many aspects could be added…)
“Happy are you who believe!” (cf 1 Peter 2:7). Let us turn to Jesus! He alone is the way that leads to eternal happiness, the truth who satisfies the deepest longings of every heart, and the life who brings ever new joy and hope, to us and to our world."
~ Pope Benedict XVI (Homily at Yankee Stadium)
B
Bookcat
Guest
A few quotes from Pope Benedict XVI
So now we can say: Christianity was not only “good news”—the communication of a hitherto unknown content. In our language we would say: the Christian message was not only “informative” but “performative”. That means: the Gospel is not merely a communication of things that can be known—it is one that makes things happen and is life-changing. The dark door of time, of the future, has been thrown open. The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.
Spe Salvi 2
“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Lk 24: 34). This is the “Good News” par excellence in the entire history of the world, it is the “Gospel” proclaimed and passed on down the centuries, from generation to generation…The Good News of Easter, therefore, requires the action of enthusiastic and courageous witnesses. Each disciple of Christ, and also each one of us, is called to be a witness. This is the precise, demanding and exalting mandate of the Risen Lord. The “news” of new life in Christ must shine out in the life of Christians, it must be alive and active in those who bring it, really capable of changing hearts and the whole of life…Therefore the Lord sends us everywhere as his witnesses. But we can only be such on the basis of and with continuous reference to the Paschal experience, the experience which Mary Magdalene expresses when she announces to the other disciples: “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20: 18). This personal encounter with the Risen One is the steadfast foundation and central content of our faith, the fresh and inexhaustible source of our hope, the ardent dynamism of our charity. Thus our Christian life itself will fully coincide with the announcement: “Christ the Lord has risen, indeed”. Let us, therefore, allow ourselves to be won over by the fascination of Christ’s Resurrection. Gen. Audience April 7, 2010
Consequently, it is fundamental for our faith and for our Christian witness to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as a real, historical event, attested by many authoritative witnesses. We assert this forcefully because, in our day too, there are plenty of people who seek to deny its historicity, reducing the Gospel narrative to a myth, to a “vision” of the Apostles, taking up and presenting old and already worn-out theories as new and scientific…
Let us welcome him with faith and adhere generously to his Gospel, as did the privileged witnesses of his Resurrection; and as, some years later, did St Paul who encountered the divine Teacher in an extraordinary manner on the Road to Damascus. We cannot keep for ourselves alone the proclamation of this Truth that changes the life of all. Aud 4-15-09
So now we can say: Christianity was not only “good news”—the communication of a hitherto unknown content. In our language we would say: the Christian message was not only “informative” but “performative”. That means: the Gospel is not merely a communication of things that can be known—it is one that makes things happen and is life-changing. The dark door of time, of the future, has been thrown open. The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.
Spe Salvi 2
“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Lk 24: 34). This is the “Good News” par excellence in the entire history of the world, it is the “Gospel” proclaimed and passed on down the centuries, from generation to generation…The Good News of Easter, therefore, requires the action of enthusiastic and courageous witnesses. Each disciple of Christ, and also each one of us, is called to be a witness. This is the precise, demanding and exalting mandate of the Risen Lord. The “news” of new life in Christ must shine out in the life of Christians, it must be alive and active in those who bring it, really capable of changing hearts and the whole of life…Therefore the Lord sends us everywhere as his witnesses. But we can only be such on the basis of and with continuous reference to the Paschal experience, the experience which Mary Magdalene expresses when she announces to the other disciples: “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20: 18). This personal encounter with the Risen One is the steadfast foundation and central content of our faith, the fresh and inexhaustible source of our hope, the ardent dynamism of our charity. Thus our Christian life itself will fully coincide with the announcement: “Christ the Lord has risen, indeed”. Let us, therefore, allow ourselves to be won over by the fascination of Christ’s Resurrection. Gen. Audience April 7, 2010
Consequently, it is fundamental for our faith and for our Christian witness to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as a real, historical event, attested by many authoritative witnesses. We assert this forcefully because, in our day too, there are plenty of people who seek to deny its historicity, reducing the Gospel narrative to a myth, to a “vision” of the Apostles, taking up and presenting old and already worn-out theories as new and scientific…
Let us welcome him with faith and adhere generously to his Gospel, as did the privileged witnesses of his Resurrection; and as, some years later, did St Paul who encountered the divine Teacher in an extraordinary manner on the Road to Damascus. We cannot keep for ourselves alone the proclamation of this Truth that changes the life of all. Aud 4-15-09
B
Bookcat
Guest
More from Pope Benedict XVI
In this Pauline Year we hear the cry of the Apostle to the Gentiles resounding with special urgency: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9: 16); a cry that becomes for every Christian a pressing invitation to serve Christ. “The harvest is plentiful” (Mt 9: 37) the Divine Teacher still repeats today: so many still do not know him and are awaiting the first proclamation of his Gospel; others, although they received a Christian formation, have become less enthusiastic and retain only a superficial contact with God’s Word; yet others have drifted away from the practice of the faith and need a new evangelization. Then there are plenty of people of right understanding who ask themselves essential questions about the meaning of life and death, questions to which only Christ can give satisfactory answers. It is, therefore, becoming indispensable for Christians on every continent to be ready to reply to those who ask them to account for the hope that is in them (cf. 1 Pt 3: 15), joyfully proclaiming the Word of God and living the Gospel without compromises.
Homily Pope Benedict XVI 5 Oct 2008
In this Pauline Year we hear the cry of the Apostle to the Gentiles resounding with special urgency: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9: 16); a cry that becomes for every Christian a pressing invitation to serve Christ. “The harvest is plentiful” (Mt 9: 37) the Divine Teacher still repeats today: so many still do not know him and are awaiting the first proclamation of his Gospel; others, although they received a Christian formation, have become less enthusiastic and retain only a superficial contact with God’s Word; yet others have drifted away from the practice of the faith and need a new evangelization. Then there are plenty of people of right understanding who ask themselves essential questions about the meaning of life and death, questions to which only Christ can give satisfactory answers. It is, therefore, becoming indispensable for Christians on every continent to be ready to reply to those who ask them to account for the hope that is in them (cf. 1 Pt 3: 15), joyfully proclaiming the Word of God and living the Gospel without compromises.
Homily Pope Benedict XVI 5 Oct 2008
- Status