Actually, works completing/perfecting faith is also part of reformed theology. Works are part of the sanctification process and build, increase, and “perfect” our faith. As we serve God our faith is made stronger and as our faith is made stronger we are more confident and active in our service. God changes our heart, gives us the gift of faith, and then that faith grows and is perfected by our actions.
Not really, when you consider that one of the tenets of reformed theology is assurance of salvation. Then that statement in James 2 and other statements in Scripture saying the exact opposite become meaningless.
A year ago I knew very little of reformed theology or Catholic Theology. Since that time I’ve been learning Catholic Theology from Catholic sources and Reformed Theology from reformed sources. I’ve come to understand that assurance of salvation doesn’t mean you say a prayer and live how you want because you can be sure you are saved. Which is how it is sometimes put by those who don’t believe in assurance of salvation.
“Works are part of the sanctification process [only]”, is what you meant to say. And, that is the problem; justification and sanctification are not to be separated. God justifies and sanctifies us throughout our earthly lives through the Sacraments which infuse the virtues of faith, hope, and most importantly love for God and neighbor.
This is most beautifully said, @lanman87! But, I hope you do not mean to include this only in the realm of sanctification, as Saint James clearly uses the word ‘justification’ in James 2 when dealing with works completing our faith.
The Bible is not a person. Anyone could read ‘John 3, Matthew 25, and Matthew 13’ and consider him or herself a Catholic. It is interesting that the one person, together with the office he holds, in the supremacy that you reject, is the one who holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven in which he opens and shuts, viz. binding what is Catholic and what is not. Most everyone outside of the Catholic Church wants to be Pope and bind and loose for himself, out of envy he has for what the Pope is and what authority he has been given, what and whom belongs as ‘Catholic’. Docility and humility can cleanse of that envy.AugustTherese:
Sure.
Start with John 3
Or Matthew 25 - the sheep and the goats.
And Matthew 13 - the wheat and tares.
Etc.
The question is what puts us in a state of Grace? Is it what we have done or is it what Christ has done? Are we just because of our on effort to become righteous or are we just because of the work of Christ on the Cross? Are we righteous because we become righteous or are we righteous because Christ became our righteousness. Are we saved (past, present, future) by Christ alone or by Christ and our effort? Does the gift of faith (even incomplete faith) save us or give us the ability to be saved?
I like these questions. I think they are fair and balanced.AugustTherese:
The question is what puts us in a state of Grace? Is it what we have done or is it what Christ has done? Are we just because of our on effort to become righteous or are we just because of the work of Christ on the Cross? Are we righteous because we become righteous or are we righteous because Christ became our righteousness. Are we saved (past, present, future) by Christ alone or by Christ and our effort? Does the gift of faith (even incomplete faith) save us or give us the ability to be saved?
But answer me this: Does sanctification matter if you’ve been “assured” of your salvation? I’m saying this because the implication of this in Scripture is the opposite.
Yes, this is where we part ways. I would say that we remain in that grace the same we were put in the state of grace. God’s grace not only brings us into Christ and also keeps us in Christ. Salvation (past, present, and future) is all by grace and not by our works, not of ourselves. If our works add to our salvation or keep us “saved” then we are saving ourselves and we are not saved by Christ alone. We are saved by Christ and our ability.
Then all people should be saved according to your words; does not God want all people to be saved? How, then, can anyone go to hell if we having absolutely nothing to do with our justification?
Without sanctification there is no assurance of salvation. Sanctification is a result of being in Christ and being made a new creation. Someone who claims to have been born again but it doesn’t effect their thoughts, attitudes and actions so they want to live for Christ has no assurance of salvation. They were never really born-again. They may have had a religious experience or an emotional reaction to the Gospel but all who are truly born again are changed and that change produces not only faith but a life of faithfulness. That faithfulness is imperfect because we are still in the flesh and the spirit is at war with the flesh. However, as we grown in the spirit (as our faith is perfected if you will) the flesh becomes weaker and weaker and we become more and more like Christ. This process continues until death (or for a blessed generation, the return of Christ) at which point the flesh is completely defeated.
Are good works a part of our sanctification?
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
I didn’t say it was, but Jesus is, and He tells us.
The Bishop of Rome does hold the keys, as does any Bishop in His Church, including my bishop. The power of the keys is given to the whole Church.
If you learned this when you were Lutheran, your catechesis was far worse than I originally
To assume envy here implies an ability to know the hearts of others.
And, how does Jesus tell us?
2,000 years of Apostolic Tradition disagrees with you.
I didn’t say Lutheranism and/or Anglicanism ‘teach[es]’ this. But, as a former Lutheran, yes, many Protestants want to be their own Pope and decide what is and what is not Catholic.
By their fruits you will know them. Judging the hearts and the culpability of hearts is condemned. Calling envy what it is is not ‘knowing the hearts of others’.
Yes (10 characters)
AugustTherese:
Yes (10 characters)
Do you see the link?
See the above referenced verses.
Then be specific.
Specifically, name names. You made a broad brush statement. Identify who you are talking about
Specifically, identify who has said this?