Does Benedict XVI teach Sola Fide (Help understanding the Pope)?

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John_A

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(I’m sorry if this is not the right place to put this, if it’s not, please move it!)

Hi! I’m on my way into the Catholic Church, finally, but I’m still kind of troubled by some of the things his holiness has said in regards to justification!

When I read this article I got a very protestant vibe from it, and many protestants commentators on these events have said it just is fulfilling Luther’s dream that we would all be a part of a church united by “the Bible.”

blackchristiannews.com/news/2009/02/pope-benedict-says-luther-was-right-salvation-is-by-faith-alone.html

Anyone who’s been a protestant knows that the way we tried to reconcile James with Paul is by saying that “works don’t justify but they prove that we’ve been justified.” This seems to be what Benedict XVI has said in these speeches on the topic!

I’m not well read in the Holy Father’s writings, but I’m disconcerted by the appearances of what he’s saying. Surely he isn’t repudiating Catholic teaching; I know that deep down. I’m just confused by this and need some help.

Thanks,
John
 
It is a protestant spin on the pope. The article is very obviously slanted and you need to be more careful what sources you accept as legit. If you want to know what the pope said just go strait to the source. The man is very open and loves to write. Read the original words of the man without the bias and see for yourself.

I have been influenced by non Catholic sources in the past myself and know that it is very cleverly presented. Good luck to you! Congrats on finding the Church!
 
If you’re curious, there’s been a joint Catholic and Lutheran declaration on Justification.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

As the joint declaration put is - “We give thanks to the Lord for this decisive step forward on the way to overcoming the division of the church. We ask the Holy Spirit to lead us further toward that visible unity which is Christ’s will.”

As a Lutheran, I vehemently concur, and give thanks to God.
 
John_A said:
(I’m sorry if this is not the right place to put this, if it’s not, please move it!)

Hi! I’m on my way into the Catholic Church, finally, but I’m still kind of troubled by some of the things his holiness has said in regards to justification!

When I read this article I got a very protestant vibe from it, and many protestants commentators on these events have said it just is fulfilling Luther’s dream that we would all be a part of a church united by “the Bible.”

blackchristiannews.com/news/2009/02/pope-benedict-says-luther-was-right-salvation-is-by-faith-alone.html

Anyone who’s been a protestant knows that the way we tried to reconcile James with Paul is by saying that “works don’t justify but they prove that we’ve been justified.” This seems to be what Benedict XVI has said in these speeches on the topic!

I’m not well read in the Holy Father’s writings, but I’m disconcerted by the appearances of what he’s saying. Surely he isn’t repudiating Catholic teaching; I know that deep down. I’m just confused by this and need some help.

Thanks,
John
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Well, actually Baptist and Born Again Christian, technically they dont believe in Sola Fide, after i examine their reasons and explanation on this issue, it will ended to that the faith is justified by good works.
 
If a source doesn’t quote a particular address so you can look it up and read it on it’s own merits, I wouldn’t consider it worth the time to read.
 
The_Reginator said:
Here is an article discussing the Pope’s statement from a Catholic point of view:
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/justification-sola-fide
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Good pointer.

I just wanted to add a few things. I hope they are helpful to you.

The Church celebrated a special jubilee year to the Apostle Paul - (June 2008 to June 2009). The Holy Father made special note of how Paul was “particularly dedicated to bringing the Good News to all peoples, concerned himself with the unity and harmony of all Christians.”

It’s important to read the Holy Fathers catechesis on the subject with this in mind.

Here are two of the catechesis the Holy Father offered. They are short but there is a lot there to absorb. 🙂

GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 19 November 2008

GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 26 November 2008

The faith the Holy Father is speaking of is not simply a statement that Christ is Lord and that His death is expiation for your sin. Then one is saved. No. It’s a divine gift. Here is the subtle truth.
This faith, however, is not a thought, an opinion, an idea. This faith is communion with Christ, which the Lord gives to us, and thus becomes life, becomes conformity with him. Or to use different words faith, if it is true, if it is real, becomes love, becomes charity, is expressed in charity. A faith without charity, without this fruit, would not be true faith. It would be a dead faith.
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These sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church may be helpful as well.
God Bless you on your journey.
 
Thank you everyone! This is all going to be great reading. Like I said, I know he wouldn’t contradict Trent or traditional Catholic teaching, but it was just confusing (even some Catholic sources made it seem like he taught that “works flow from faith but don’t justify” which is true to a degree but sounds very protestant!)

He’s just trying to be ecumenical in a way as well, and though Catholic and Protestant teaching is different on the subject, we both believe that faith is necessary for salvation and that it is absolutely commanded that we do good works, so we have something in common there.

Anyway, thanks for the help, I tried googling for articles that would help explain it but most weren’t extremely helpful.

Thanks,
John
 
John_A said:
blackchristiannews.com/news/2009/02/pope-benedict-says-luther-was-right-salvation-is-by-faith-alone.html
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This is not a Catholic source.

blackchristiannews.com is owned by Gospel Light Ministries Omnimedia Group, an online and print media, marketing and retail organization which targets a latino, black and urban udience. They do web design, own several websites and have a publishing arm including e-books, and even have some apps on Google and Android Marketplace.

The President and CEO is Rev. Daniel Whyte III. Reverend Whyte was educated at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Wesleyan University. His ministry is run out of the Gospel Light Society who’s mission is to preach the Gospel to those who not free to go to Church or who do not feel comfortable in Church, in their own words, “By any means necessary.”

Luther had correctly translated Paul’s words as ‘justified by faith alone’, the well-known sola fide, Benedict affirmed, as reported in the newspaper. Some have blamed the widespread lack of biblical knowledge among Italians, on the Catholic Church due to its monopoly on the teaching of the Bible.

Apparently “any means necessary” includes partial quotes of the Holy Father in order to twist his words and oblique pot-shots at Catholicism.

-Tim-
 
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