Does Grace alone work

[Pathway2]

Doe the concept Grace alone work, why did the Catholic church rebuked it. Of course you believe in Grace. but why not the alone?

 

[fhansen]

Catholics do believe in grace alone. We don’t believe in faith alone.

 

[CRM_Brother]

Fhansen is correct. This is a common misconception that is often used against Catholics by Protestants. It stems back to Luther’s concept of grace and salvation. He believed that Christ’s Grace is draped over the wretchedness of the human soul through Faith. Luther’s famous example is a pile of dung which has been covered by snow. The Father see’s Christ’s grace, and grants the dung which it covers (our souls) salvation. Catholics believe that God grants us the grace to accept Faith. In man’s act of accepting Faith, God’s grace inherently changes us and conforms us to be more like Christ. This change then impels us to do the good works which Christ commanded us to do. In doing so, God grants us more grace and our souls are more conformed to Christ. Luther’s idea of grace alone is that we simply cling to Christ’s grace in Faith and we are pulled along into salvation as a side effect. The Church’s idea of grace alone is that it is the grace granted to us by God which conforms us to Christ and it is that conformity of the human soul which saves us.

 

[Richca]

Grace does not nullify human beings free will. We must freely cooperate with God’s grace otherwise rewards and punishments, blame and praise makes no sense. God’s grace does not make us robots.