Ephesians 2:8 and Council of Trent?

[Ron_in_minden]

“denial of salvation by grace thru faith were adopted by the Council of Trent”, according to my wifes father. Would anyone know where I could find a copy of this statement?, in all my years of being with the Church I have never heard that. I was always taught it was only by grace that we have the faith of salvation. These accusations of his are really getting me down.

 

[Rich_C]

Your father-in-law is mistaken. I suggest reading the whole thing: history.hanover.edu/texts/trent/ct06.html

Here are the most relevent bits:

CANON I.-If any one saith, that man may be justified before God by his own works, whether done through the teaching of human nature, or that of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be anathema.

CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.

See, the Church rejects the distorted Protestant dogma that faith *alone *justifies man. She also rejects the Pelagian/Modernist heresy that man can merit salvation without grace. Holy Mother Church teaches what you said in your OP, that by faith and good works, inspired by grace, man may attain salvation.

 

[po18guy]

Got a catechism? It speaks extensively of salvation. Of course, FIL is just plain wrong. Ask him for his source.

Got Catholicism for Dummies? Excellent, easily read book that will explain the faith so simply that even in-laws can understand it!

 

[Ron_in_minden]

Your father-in-law is mistaken. I suggest reading the whole thing: history.hanover.edu/texts/trent/ct06.html

Here are the most relevent bits:

See, the Church rejects the distorted Protestant dogma that faith *alone *justifies man. She also rejects the Pelagian/Modernist heresy that man can merit salvation without grace. Holy Mother Church teaches what you said in your OP, that by faith and good works, inspired by grace, man may attain salvation.

Thanks for the link. I knew something wasn’t quite right in his statement.

 

[Ron_in_minden]

Got a catechism? It speaks extensively of salvation. Of course, FIL is just plain wrong. Ask him for his source.

Got Catholicism for Dummies? Excellent, easily read book that will explain the faith so simply that even in-laws can understand it!

I have a catechism and could find nothing remotely congrous with his statement. His source apparently is a copy of the Trent statement and Dave Hunt.

 

[po18guy]

I have a catechism and could find nothing remotely congrous with his statement. His source apparently is a copy of the Trent statement and Dave Hunt.

The only questions being: what sort of provenance does FIL’s printed material have? What context was it originally stated in? And, Dave Hunt? I will bet you that Mr. Hunt’s income is dependent upon his personal opinion of the Catholic Church. (Googling, I see that yes it is - from book sales)

Of course, this is all normal human behavior, but FIL is not so much seeking the truth, but defending beliefs that he is comfortable with. He cannot be blamed for that, but he should vet his material a little better before he attempts to stand on it.

Maybe FIL should read Francis Beckwith.