Diagramming the Catholic perspective on faith

  • Thread starter Thread starter sthudium
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
i cant open these, is this homework?

did you want some comments on errors?
 
Hi Roseeurekacross,

Yes, this is RCIA homework. I’m trying to understand faith.

The links do work.
 
Last edited:
I might add that RCIA did not ask me to do this. But we are learning about faith, and I’m trying to develop my understanding.

Any comments or corrections are welcome. I am using these diagrams to elicit comments to help me understand.
 
“sthudium said:
Please review the below diagrams for my understanding of (a) the Evangelical perspective on faith and (b) the Catholic perspective on faith.
Click to expand...
Evangelical faith diagram
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Looks right.
Presumptive Catholic faith diagram
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]
Nope. In my opinion, you have diagrammed semi-pelagianism.

Pelagianism says that we can save ourselves without God’s help.
Semi-pelagianism says that God gives us an initial push and then we can save ourselves without His further assistance.

You draw a figure that says, “God infuses powers”. That seems to be the first step. Then we no longer see God in your drawing again.

Here’s the way I would compare Protestant and Catholic “soteriology”.

Where you have, “God infuses powers”, I would have “God calls the person”. The way I envision this is like God wafting a piece of bacon before a hungry man. This is an actual grace. It is not infused. It is, sort of, a push in the right direction.

The bacon, of course, is the gift of faith. Without faith no one can please God. So, the man that accepts the grace of faith will begin to study the word to show himself approved. This grace is also called, “prevenient” grace.

I don’t know how to draw that, but there it is.

Then, the 2nd step, the man who has cooperated with God’s gift of faith will begin to keep the Commandments and do that which pleases God. In other words, produce good works or fruit.

Then, the man will ask to become part of God’s family and thus, to be baptized. This is the point of infusion. Because this is the point of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the person is baptized, the Holy Spirit comes to live in him and the Holy Spirit pours or infuses in the person all the gifts of grace. It is at this point also, that the person is considered saved, even in Catholicism. But the person should not describe himself, as such, because it is God who judges the man’s heart.

From this point, God and man are a tandem. There are seven sacraments and God infuses grace in every one. And God continues to give impulses or actual graces with every good work that we do.

In the end, it is God who produces salvation. Not the man. No matter what a man does, he can’t save himself. God saves those who do His will.

I hope that helps.
 
Hello De_Maria,

Thanks so much!!

You describe, for lack of a better phrase, the path to salvation. Perhaps I should put your description in a second diagram (in a second file and labeled something like Faith and Salvation). My original (Catholic faith) diagram could remain the same, but reference that second diagram.

Would that work? Would my original Catholic faith diagram need any other changes, except for the above mentioned reference?

On the other hand, I do, in the notes, mention that faith “leads to” salvation, but, does not produce salvation. I think that the path to salvation (order of salvation) begins with faith, but involves many steps along the way. With that in mind, maybe my diagram does not need to be changed as you suggest.
 
Last edited:
@pianistclare

Can you help this chatter with his/her RCIA questions
 
As long as you make it clear that God is with us every step of the way in the Catholic Faith.
 
Thanks, again, De_Maria. Yes, I will add that, and that faith is just one step along the way to salvation.
 
Last edited:
Salvation is act of God; but man must cooperate with God’s grace.

A person can cooperate with grace and then change his mind b/c he has free will.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top