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MainBrain
Guest
I would like to know, according to Catholic theology if the teaching that saved by faith alone is considered heresy.
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TK421
Guest
It was stated at the Council of Trent as anathema.
**“For faith, unless hope and charity are added thereto, neither unites one perfectly with Christ nor makes one a living member of his body” (Trent, VI, ch. 7). **
Further clarification:
catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/justification-sola-fide
**“For faith, unless hope and charity are added thereto, neither unites one perfectly with Christ nor makes one a living member of his body” (Trent, VI, ch. 7). **
Further clarification:
catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/justification-sola-fide
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chimo
Guest
I would say it is not enough, meaning there has to be more than faith if you are to live your life as a Christian. The only circumstance I can think of when it is faith alone would be the example of the Good Thief on the cross alongside our crucified Lord. His faith in the Lord was enough since he was not going to live on. there might be other examples but I can’t think of any others.
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Ad_Orientem
Guest
While it is true that the good thief didn’t have the opportunity to give alms, bury the dead, or such like works, nevertheless in addition to faith he possessed the virtues of hope and charity, as evidenced by his words to our Lord. He also arguably performed a work of mercy, i.e. admonishing the sinner (the bad thief). It was not faith alone.
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PJM
Guest
YES
Even the bible teaches otherwise:
Eph.2
[5] even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), … [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God –
GBY
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mdgspencer
Guest
As a preceding poster mentioned, an authoritative Church council, the Council of Trent, formally condemned the idea of salvation by faith alone. This was in response to the new conviction of recently-arisen Protestantism that men are saved by faith alone.
According to the Council of Trent, faith is the beginning of salvation. Our deeds are needed for our salvation too. I think many Protestants nowadays (though not all) also think that good deeds are needed too for us to be accepted by God.
According to the Council of Trent, faith is the beginning of salvation. Our deeds are needed for our salvation too. I think many Protestants nowadays (though not all) also think that good deeds are needed too for us to be accepted by God.
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Porknpie
Guest
Chimo, works were very apparent with the good thief (St. Dismas). His request of Jesus to remember him was a work of the intellect; he also acknowledged his own sinfulness. But he also made one of the greatest works ever :
He defended Jesus to the other criminal while Jesus was crucified.
“Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
I can’t think of a “work” any greater.
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TK421
Guest
It isn’t Catholic doctrine that good works are required for salvation. A person must have faith, hope, and love, which is something that is made possible through the unmerited gift of the Holy Spirit working upon a person to convert them, and the universal redemption given to mankind through Christ, and the infinite mercy of the Father treating the sinner as his son. A person that is all-but dead and entirely unable to communicate with the outside world can experience a divine intervention that will enable them - if willing - to receive sanctifying grace. There is no observable action or witness required on their part to give them salvation.
"For faith, unless hope and charity are added thereto, neither unites one perfectly with Christ nor makes one a living member of his body" (Trent, VI, ch. 7).
Good works inevitably flow from faith, hope, and love. This is a product of salvation and not a requisite of it. Good works do absolutely nothing to save a person. Zero.
"For faith, unless hope and charity are added thereto, neither unites one perfectly with Christ nor makes one a living member of his body" (Trent, VI, ch. 7).
Good works inevitably flow from faith, hope, and love. This is a product of salvation and not a requisite of it. Good works do absolutely nothing to save a person. Zero.
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psalm90
Guest
This subject occurs frequently in these forums and there are almost endless discussions of it.
In the letter of James, he writes that faith without good works is dead.
the Old Testament scriptures include many commands to perform good works and that is a “given” in the New Testament. If nothing else, and there’s more than nothing else, we are called to evangelize and to prophesy. Those are works that we are required to perform or support. This “faith alone” argument is a strawman argument that is easily refuted by scripture.
In the letter of James, he writes that faith without good works is dead.
the Old Testament scriptures include many commands to perform good works and that is a “given” in the New Testament. If nothing else, and there’s more than nothing else, we are called to evangelize and to prophesy. Those are works that we are required to perform or support. This “faith alone” argument is a strawman argument that is easily refuted by scripture.
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fhansen
Guest
Also from Trent, session 6:
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.
CANON XIX.-If any one saith, that nothing besides faith is commanded in the Gospel; that other things are indifferent, neither commanded nor prohibited, but free; or, that the ten commandments nowise appertain to Christians; let him be anathema.
CANON XIV.-If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because that he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; 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.
CANON XIX.-If any one saith, that nothing besides faith is commanded in the Gospel; that other things are indifferent, neither commanded nor prohibited, but free; or, that the ten commandments nowise appertain to Christians; let him be anathema.
CANON XIV.-If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because that he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema.
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